HF2438 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Transportation budget bill; Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, and Metropolitan Council activities funding provided; and money appropriated.
Related bill: SF2082
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The bill aims to allocate funds for various transportation-related activities in Minnesota. This includes establishing a transportation budget and appropriating money to the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, and Metropolitan Council for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
Main Provisions
Department of Transportation: Appropriations are detailed for purposes such as multimodal systems, state roads, local roads, and agency management. Specific allocations are made for airport development, safe routes to school, passenger rail, and highway projects, including the John A. Blatnik Bridge project.
Department of Public Safety: Funds are allocated for State Patrol operations, capital security, and the Vehicle Crimes Unit. Special emphasis is placed on driver and vehicle services and traffic safety projects, including a Traffic Safety Data Analytics Center.
Metropolitan Council: Funds are designated for special transportation services like Metro Mobility and Metro Move.
Transfers and Contingent Appropriations: Provisions allow for the transfer of funds within specified conditions, such as from the flexible highway account to county and municipal funds for highway turnback purposes.
Agency Management: Funding is also allocated to design and remodel state patrol facilities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
Appropriation Extensions: Some appropriations are available beyond the current biennium, allowing for flexibility in managing balance and unforeseen expenses.
Fund Transfers: The bill details new protocols for fund transfers within transportation-related accounts, which supersede previous statutes.
Contingency Appropriations: New mechanisms are created to allow the commissioner of transportation to utilize unappropriated balances for urgent needs or federal funding opportunities.
Relevant Terms
transportation budget, Department of Transportation, state roads, local roads, state airports fund, highway user tax, Metropolitan Council, State Patrol, Metro Mobility, flexible highway account, trunk highway fund, Traffic Safety Data Analytics Center, John A. Blatnik Bridge, highway turnback, multimodal systems, driver services, airport development, passenger rail, safe routes to school, vehicle crimes, pipeline safety, emergency relief program, federal highway aid, appropriation transfers, contingent appropriations.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Past committee meetings
- Taxes on: April 21, 2025 16:00
- Ways and Means on: April 23, 2025 00:30
- Ways and Means on: April 23, 2025 12:30
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 17, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Transportation Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New fee structures for dealer licenses."
],
"removed": [
"Elimination of temporary license provisions."
],
"summary": "This section relates to transportation and vehicle registration, specifically amendments to dealer licensing under 168.27.",
"modified": [
"Altered renewal process for dealer licenses."
]
},
"citation": "168.27",
"subdivision": "8"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Additional funding for IT infrastructure."
],
"removed": [
"Limitations on funding usage."
],
"summary": "This section involves payments to deputy registrars.",
"modified": [
"Change in payment schedule to registrars."
]
},
"citation": "168.33",
"subdivision": "7"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Allowance for local jurisdictions to modify speed limits."
],
"removed": [
"Requirement for state approval on all speed limit changes."
],
"summary": "References changes to speed limits set under 169.14.",
"modified": [
"Procedures for traffic studies prior to speed limit changes."
]
},
"citation": "169.14",
"subdivision": "1a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New educational programs for seat belt safety."
],
"removed": [
"Waivers for certain vehicle categories."
],
"summary": "Pertains to seat belt use under subsection 169.686.",
"modified": [
"Fines updated for non-compliance."
]
},
"citation": "169.686",
"subdivision": "1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provisional license requirements updated for new drivers."
],
"removed": [
"Certain age restrictions eliminated."
],
"summary": "Driver's license requirements, modified under section 171.05.",
"modified": [
"Age threshold for full license eligibility adjusted."
]
},
"citation": "171.05",
"subdivision": "1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Authorization to issue temporary licenses under defined circumstances."
],
"removed": [
"Redundant reporting requirements."
],
"summary": "Deals with reforms in driver's license agent responsibilities as per 171.061.",
"modified": [
"Service delivery timelines extended."
]
},
"citation": "171.061",
"subdivision": "4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Broader authorization for device providers."
],
"removed": [
"Restrictions on approved device list."
],
"summary": "This section concerns the ignition interlock device program.",
"modified": [
"Program eligibility criteria expanded."
]
},
"citation": "171.306",
"subdivision": "8"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New operational procedures for state emergency response."
],
"removed": [
"Outdated advisory board requirements."
],
"summary": "Modifications to public safety administration under section 299A.01.",
"modified": [
"Realignment of inter-agency communication protocols."
]
},
"citation": "299A.01",
"subdivision": "4"
}
]