Bill > SF37

This bill requires the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Commissioner and the Metropolitan Council to request approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to discontinue the Northstar Commuter Rail line, which currently provides passenger rail service between downtown Minneapolis and Big Lake, with stops in Fridley, Coon Rapids, Anoka, Ramsey, and Elk River. Specifically, within 30 days of the bill's enactment, they must submit a request to the FTA to end Northstar operations and explicitly state that the state will not reimburse the FTA for previously spent federal funds. The bill mandates that within seven days of receiving the FTA's response, the Commissioner and Council must report to legislative transportation committee chairs and ranking minority members about the outcome, including copies of the request and response. If the FTA grants the request, the Commissioner and Council must develop and submit a detailed plan for terminating Northstar operations within 90 days. The bill will take effect immediately after final enactment and applies to seven specific Minnesota counties: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0037&ssn=0&y=2025