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SF3222 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Transportation cumulative impacts analysis requirement provision and environmental justice ombudsperson establishment

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to integrate environmental justice considerations into transportation project planning in Minnesota. It establishes guidelines for assessing the cumulative environmental impacts and creates the position of an environmental justice ombudsperson.

Main Provisions

  • Transportation Cumulative Impacts Analysis: Requires an analysis of the cumulative impacts of transportation projects, particularly in areas identified as environmental justice areas. These are regions where transportation pollution may significantly affect residents.
  • Environmental Justice Ombudsperson: Introduces a new position focused on advocating for environmental justice within the Minnesota Department of Transportation. This role is aimed at ensuring that the concerns of communities in environmental justice areas are addressed.
  • Public Engagement and Community Benefit: Mandates public meetings and community benefit agreements to mitigate negative impacts of transportation projects on local residents. This includes possible reductions in transportation pollution and adverse health impacts.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Amendment to Minnesota Statutes: The new law amends the existing statutes to include processes for transportation impact analyses and establishes mechanisms for community involvement and benefit agreements.
  • Establishment of Ombudsperson Role: Instates an environmental justice ombudsperson to work alongside the transportation ombudsperson, focusing specifically on the effects of transportation projects in marginalized communities.

Relevant Terms

  • Cumulative impacts
  • Environmental justice
  • Pollution control
  • Public meetings
  • Community benefit agreement
  • Ombudsperson

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEnvironment, Climate, and Legacy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A requirement to appoint an environmental justice ombudsperson in addition to the transportation ombudsperson."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "N/A"
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 174.02, subdivision 2a to establish the position of environmental justice ombudsperson.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified the specific duties and qualifications for the environmental justice ombudsperson compared to the transportation ombudsperson."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "174.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "N/A"
      ],
      "removed": [
        "N/A"
      ],
      "summary": "This section is referenced to define environmental justice areas and environmental stressors.",
      "modified": [
        "Expanded definitions to include transportation pollutants' effects on health within environmental justice areas."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116.065",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "N/A"
      ],
      "removed": [
        "N/A"
      ],
      "summary": "This bill references Minnesota Statute section 216H.01, subdivision 2, regarding greenhouse gas emissions.",
      "modified": [
        "Utilizes the statutory definition for consistency in emission standards applied to transportation projects."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "216H.01",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]

Sponsors