Bill > SF285

This bill establishes new rules for cost participation in trunk highway projects in Minnesota, specifically protecting local governments from being required to pay for certain project costs. Under the new law, local units of government cannot be obligated to pay for project costs incurred within a trunk highway right-of-way that are necessitated by the project itself, including expenses like utility relocation. These cost protection requirements apply regardless of facility ownership or whether the project provides benefits beyond the trunk highway system. The commissioner of transportation will be responsible for identifying alternative funding sources for any costs not covered by the trunk highway fund. The bill also includes an appropriation of unspecified amounts from the general fund in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to cover trunk highway project costs that cannot be paid from the trunk highway fund. The new provisions will become effective on July 1, 2025, and will not apply to trunk highway projects already included in the state transportation improvement program for construction in 2025. The goal appears to be to reduce financial burden on local governments when trunk highway projects are undertaken.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0285&ssn=0&y=2025