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SF3161 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Allocation of railroad and pipeline company assessments for emergency preparedness activities modification

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to update the allocation of funds collected from railroad and pipeline company assessments for emergency preparedness activities. This involves modifying how these funds are distributed and used for safety and environmental protection.

Main Provisions

  • Creation of Railroad and Pipeline Safety Account: A special account is established to collect funds from railroad and pipeline company assessments, donations, and other sources. This account is used to finance various safety and preparedness activities.

  • Funding Allocations:

    • A fixed annual amount of $560,000 is allocated to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency. This funding is dedicated to environmental protection activities focused on preparing for potential railroad discharges.
    • An amount of $750,000 for the fiscal year 2024, and $1,500,000 annually thereafter, is transferred to the grade crossing safety account. These funds are intended to improve safety at railroad crossings.
    • The remaining funds in the account, after the initial allocations, are appropriated to the commissioner of public safety for other specified emergency preparedness activities.

  • Reporting Requirement: By January 15, 2026, the commissioner of public safety is tasked with submitting a detailed report on the railroad and pipeline safety account. This report must be submitted to the legislative committees responsible for transportation policy and finance, listing detailed revenues and expenditures over the prior two fiscal years and explaining each expenditure's purpose.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • This bill modifies the allocation and distribution of funds gathered from railroad and pipeline assessments, specifying more clearly how these funds should be appropriated and used for safety and environmental protection.
  • It introduces a clause to transfer any funds over $2,000,000 at the end of a fiscal biennium to the grade crossing safety account, ensuring excess funds are used for public safety improvements.

Relevant Terms

  • Railroad and Pipeline Safety Account
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Pollution Control
  • Grade Crossing Safety
  • Environmental Protection
  • Fiscal Biennium
  • Legislative Reporting

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toTransportation

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New appropriation details for fiscal years starting from 2024 onward."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modifies the allocation and usage of funds in the railroad and pipeline safety account.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts fund transfer conditions when account balance exceeds $2,000,000."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "299A.55",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Funds allocated for environmental protection under Pollution Control Agency."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Appropriation for environmental protection activities related to railroad discharge preparedness.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "115E",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Fund transfer mechanisms for grade crossing safety."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Transfers funds to the grade crossing safety account.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "219.1651",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

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