Bill > SF817

This bill modifies several aspects of Minnesota's transportation policy, focusing on highway project development, environmental justice, and fund usage. The bill introduces a new requirement for the commissioner of transportation to study alternative highway project designs with input from a policy advisory committee composed of local elected officials, ensuring community voices are heard in project planning. It establishes a detailed process for conducting transportation cumulative impacts analysis in environmental justice areas, requiring public meetings, potential community benefit agreements, and mitigation actions to address potential negative environmental and health impacts. The bill also expands the role of transportation ombudsperson by creating a specific environmental justice ombudsperson position to advocate for and monitor issues affecting marginalized communities. Additionally, the bill refines the definition of "highway purposes" to include multimodal infrastructure and greenhouse gas reduction, and modifies restrictions on how highway funds can be spent, removing some previous prohibitions and adding new limitations. The legislation aims to increase transparency, community engagement, and environmental considerations in transportation project development, with a particular focus on protecting the interests of environmental justice communities.

Government Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0817&ssn=0&y=2025