1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to transportation; providing for reallocation of an appropriation for Northern
1.3 Lights Express passenger rail; requiring study of Minneapolis-Duluth intercity bus
1.4 service; making a transfer; appropriating money.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. APPROPRIATION; MINNEAPOLIS-DULUTH INTERCITY BUS STUDY.
1.7 (a) $....... in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
1.8of transportation for a study on intercity bus service in the corridor between Minneapolis-St.
1.9Paul and Duluth.
1.10 (b) At a minimum, the study must:
1.11 (1) analyze existing demand and service levels for public transportation in the corridor;
1.12 (2) identify and evaluate alternatives for intercity bus service improvements, including
1.13estimation of:
1.14 (i) ridership;
1.15 (ii) capital and operating costs; and
1.16 (iii) revenue;
1.17 (3) consider barriers and risks; and
1.18 (4) make recommendations regarding feasibility of intercity bus service improvements.
1.19 (c) By February 1, 2026, the commissioner must submit a copy of the study to the chairs
1.20and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
1.21transportation finance and policy.
1Section 1.
25-02448 as introduced01/17/25 REVISOR KRB/LJ
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 1545NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: RARICK)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading02/17/2025
Referred to Transportation 2.1 Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION CANCELLATION; NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPRESS.
2.2 The uncommitted balance of the appropriation in fiscal year 2024 under Laws 2023,
2.3chapter 68, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, paragraph (d), for the Minneapolis-Duluth
2.4Northern Lights Express intercity passenger rail project, estimated to be $194,413,803, is
2.5canceled to the general fund on the effective date of this section.
2.6 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
2.7 Sec. 3. TRANSFER; HIGHWAY USER TAX DISTRIBUTION FUND.
2.8 (a) On the effective date of this section, the commissioner of transportation must calculate
2.9a transfer amount that equals the amount determined under section 2, less the amount
2.10appropriated under section 1.
2.11 (b) The amount calculated under paragraph (a) is transferred in fiscal year 2025 from
2.12the general fund to the highway user tax distribution fund.
2.13 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
2Sec. 3.
25-02448 as introduced01/17/25 REVISOR KRB/LJ