SF 2330

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 04/21/2017 09:01am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; establishing various requirements for the Metropolitan
Council's transportation policy plan; prioritizing bus system improvements;
appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 473.146, by
adding subdivisions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 473.146, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

Subd. 2d.

Transportation policy plan; primary goals.

The transportation policy plan
must incorporate the following primary goals:

(1) cost effectiveness in transportation infrastructure expenditures, including through
use of cost-benefit analysis;

(2) balanced expenditures across transportation modes based on costs and benefits,
accounting for all costs of project development, design, engineering, environmental analysis,
land acquisition, construction, operations, and capital maintenance; and

(3) maximizing (i) transportation mobility, including movement of people, passengers,
and freight; (ii) accessibility to transportation facilities; (iii) congestion relief; (iv) reduction
in transit travel time; and (v) safety.

EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION.

This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 473.146, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

Subd. 2e.

Transportation policy plan; requirements.

The transportation policy plan
must:

(1) identify objectives, policies, and strategies for achieving the transportation goals
under subdivision 2d, and provide a funding strategy for projects;

(2) prioritize development of bus transit options and bus-related services and facilities,
including arterial bus rapid transit, park-and-rides, high-occupancy lanes, and bus-only
shoulders;

(3) establish a moratorium on project development and construction of light rail transit
and commuter rail lines;

(4) identify technology solutions that improve transit passenger services and reduce
operating costs, including but not limited to real-time schedule information, increased and
improved bus shelters and stations, low-floor buses, fare payments system improvements,
traffic management techniques for reduced travel time, and fleet management system
improvements;

(5) establish a limit on annual expenditures for transit capital, operating, and capital
maintenance of 40 percent of total transportation expenditures in the metropolitan area, as
measured using (i) total combined expenditures of the council and the Department of
Transportation, and (ii) revenue resulting from imposition of the taxes authorized under
sections 297A.992 and 297A.993;

(6) maximize farebox recovery utilizing available technology;

(7) analyze the potential for electrically powered autonomous transit vehicles;

(8) reflect the policies and goals established in section 473.371; and

(9) include policies relating to all transportation forms.

EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION.

This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 473.146, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

Subd. 3a.

Transportation policy plan; revisions; legislative approval.

(a) By February
1, 2019, and at least every other odd-numbered year thereafter, the council must develop a
revised version of the transportation policy plan that meets the requirements of this section.
The council must submit each revised version of the plan to the members and staff of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance, and to the
Legislative Commission on Metropolitan Government.

(b) As part of the transportation policy plan revision process, the council must gather
and utilize input from the general public, including transportation stakeholders, community
representatives, individuals having expertise in transportation and transit issues, and taxpayer
advocates.

(c) Any transportation policy plan revision does not take effect until the plan is approved
by law. This requirement does not apply to minor administrative modifications to the plan.

EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION.

This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.

Sec. 4. APPROPRIATION.

$....... in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from the general fund to the Metropolitan
Council for revision to the transportation policy plan to meet the requirements under
Minnesota Statutes, section 473.146. This is a onetime appropriation and is available in
fiscal year 2019.