Purpose of the Bill

This bill is intended to fund the development of a new bike trail connecting the city of Harmony to the city of Caledonia in Minnesota. The project aims to improve outdoor recreational opportunities and promote tourism and local economies along the route.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of Funds: The bill allocates $14,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the Commissioner of Natural Resources. This money will be used for acquiring necessary property and easements, as well as for the predesign and design phases of the bike trail project.
• Trail Route: The proposed trail will follow marked Trunk Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 52, passing through the cities of Canton, Mabel, and Spring Grove.
• Project Phase: The current funding is dedicated to Phase 1 of the project, covering initial stages such as property acquisition and design.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill does not directly amend existing laws but provides for the issuance of state bonds to fund the project under existing statutes. Specifically, it authorizes the Commissioner of Management and Budget to sell and issue state bonds up to $14,000,000.

Relevant Terms

• Capital investment
• State bonds
• Harmony-Caledonia bike trail
• Property acquisition
• Outdoor recreation