Bill > HF186

This bill modifies several aspects of transportation project development and environmental justice in Minnesota. It requires the Commissioner of Transportation to consult with the Pollution Control Agency when adopting environmental rules and establishes new requirements for highway projects in or near environmental justice areas. The bill defines "highway purposes" more broadly to include multimodal infrastructure and transit-related activities, and restricts how highway funds can be spent by eliminating certain allowable expenditures like driver education programs and tourism kiosks. A key provision mandates that for federally funded highway projects in environmental justice areas, the commissioner must form a policy advisory committee of local officials who must approve alternative design options by a two-thirds vote before project selection or construction. The bill also introduces a comprehensive cumulative impacts analysis process, requiring detailed environmental and health impact assessments for significant highway projects in or near environmental justice areas. Additionally, the bill creates a new environmental justice ombudsperson position within the Department of Transportation, tasked with advocating for environmental justice issues and facilitating dispute resolution. These changes aim to increase local community involvement in transportation planning and address potential environmental and health disparities in infrastructure projects.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0186&ssn=0&y=2025