Bill > HF1630

This bill clarifies and specifies the permissible uses of highway funds in Minnesota by amending section 161.045 of the state statutes. The bill introduces new definitions for key terms, including defining "highway purposes" to encompass not just traditional highway construction and maintenance, but also multimodal infrastructure within highway rights-of-way that supports transit, active transportation, and greenhouse gas emission reduction. The legislation establishes that commissioners may only spend highway user tax distribution funds for highway purposes and trunk highway funds for trunk highway purposes. The bill also provides a comprehensive list of specific expenses that cannot be paid using these highway funds, which includes items like Bureau of Criminal Apprehension laboratory costs, tourist kiosks, personnel costs for the governor's office, and parades or event sponsorships. Notably, the bill removes some previous restrictions, such as prohibitions on spending for the Minnesota Safety Council and driver education programs, while maintaining a broad prohibition on using highway funds for expenses not directly related to transportation infrastructure and operations. The goal appears to be ensuring more focused and transparent use of transportation-related funding sources.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1630&ssn=0&y=2025