1997 Minnesota Statutes

     160.276 Travel information franchise program. 

    Subdivision 1.    Established.  The commissioner of 
 transportation shall establish a franchise program to lease 
 space within tourist information centers and safety rest areas 
 for the purpose of providing information to travelers through 
 travel-related commercial and public service advertising.  

    Subd. 2.    Initial phase.  The program may, in its 
 initial phase, utilize space within existing publicly owned 
 buildings and shelters in safety rest areas and tourist 
 information centers.  This phase shall be operational by May 1, 
 1981.  Franchises for this phase shall be ready to let by 
 January 1, 1981.  

    Subd. 3.    Facilities.  The program may also include 
 franchises for the construction, operation and maintenance of 
 additional information structures by and at the expense of the 
 franchisee on state-owned lands within safety rest or tourist 
 information center areas.  All structures constructed by the 
 franchisee shall meet or exceed specifications prescribed by the 
 commissioner of transportation and shall satisfy the 
 requirements of the state building code for accessibility by the 
 physically handicapped.  All structures shall be designed to 
 enhance their site and shall be aesthetically compatible with 
 the natural environment.  

    Subd. 4.    Sites; advertising.  The commissioner shall 
 determine the sites to be included in this program and shall 
 also determine if the advertising display at each site is to be 
 inside or outside of any buildings or shelters.  

    Subd. 5.    Office of tourism.  The commissioner shall 
 provide space free of charge to the office of tourism for travel 
 information centers.  The commissioner shall not charge the 
 office of tourism for any regular expenses associated with the 
 operation of the travel information centers.  The commissioner 
 shall provide highway maps free of charge for use and 
 distribution through the travel information centers.  

    HIST: 1980 c 494 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1991 c 345 art 1 s 78