Bill > HF2156

This bill eliminates a specific provision in Minnesota law that currently allows town meeting electors to authorize their town board to decide whether to open or maintain town roads or cartways (narrow rural passages) that have been unused for 25 years or more. The existing law permitted town boards to make resolutions about these abandoned roads through a democratic process at annual town meetings, with the understanding that standard road establishment procedures (referenced in section 163.16) would not apply to these particular roads. By repealing this subdivision of Minnesota Statutes section 365.10, the bill removes the explicit authority for towns to make such decisions about long-abandoned roads, which could potentially impact how rural communities manage their transportation infrastructure. The bill does not provide additional context about why this specific provision is being eliminated, but it effectively narrows the discretionary power of town boards regarding road maintenance and abandonment.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF2156&ssn=0&y=2025