This bill authorizes $80 million in state funding to help the city of St. Paul upgrade West 7th Street from downtown to the Mississippi River. The money will be used for designing and building new roads, sidewalks, and underground water systems, while also adding traffic calming measures and a bus rapid transit line to connect downtown, the airport, and the Mall of America. The funds are a one-time appropriation available until the project is finished or canceled, and the law takes effect immediately upon final passage.
This bill establishes the Safe Battery Collection and Recycling Stewardship Act in Minnesota to create a recycling program for covered batteries found in electronics and other products. It requires manufacturers or groups of manufacturers to develop and fund stewardship plans that ensure these batteries are collected and recycled in an environmentally sound manner. The legislation also creates a new advisory task force to oversee the program and introduces civil penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the bill sets aside specific funds to support the implementation of these new recycling requirements.
This bill updates Minnesota laws to clarify how state funds for off-highway motorcycles, off-road vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles can be used. It allows money from specific accounts to be granted to organizations that help maintain trails, enforce safety rules, and educate the public on responsible vehicle operation. The legislation also requires these organizations to train participants on identifying and reporting invasive species while working on public lands. Additionally, the bill ensures that all funding distributions for trail construction and maintenance align with the state's comprehensive outdoor recreation plan.
This bill authorizes the state to issue up to $1.3 million in bonds to fund the restoration of the historic 1938 Swayback Bridge in Redwood Falls. The funds will be provided as a grant to the city specifically for designing and executing repairs to the bridge's granite and masonry exterior, including stone replacement and tuckpointing. The legislation exempts this specific project from certain state laws regarding public works contracts and bidding processes. Additionally, it directs the commissioner of management and budget to sell the bonds and transfer the proceeds to the commissioner of transportation for distribution.
This bill allocates $450,000 in state funds to Hennepin County and two cities, Medina and Independence, for railroad crossing safety improvements at Town Line Road. The legislation modifies an existing appropriation to allow the project to continue until December 31, 2029, rather than following the standard funding timeline. These funds are designated for the design, engineering, and construction of the necessary safety upgrades. The bill takes effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.
This bill authorizes the state to provide $3,386,000 in funding to the city of Redwood Falls for improvements at its municipal airport. The money will be used to rebuild the aircraft parking ramp and parallel taxiway, resurface the runways, and install a stormwater management system. To pay for this grant, the state will issue bonds up to the total amount of $3,386,000. The funding is exempt from certain state laws that typically govern how such grants are awarded. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final passage.
This bill allocates $4.5 million from the state's general fund to help the city of North St. Paul design, build, and equip a new water tower. The money will be managed by the Public Facilities Authority and is available for the project until it is finished or canceled. Additionally, the bill cancels a previous $4.5 million state appropriation that was originally intended for a community outreach facility in the same city. This action redirects those funds to the water tower project, which will begin immediately after the bill is enacted.
This bill grants Minnesota townships the authority to regulate lawful gambling within their borders, a power previously held only by cities and counties. Under the new rules, townships can charge investigation fees of up to $100 for gambling permits and require local approval from the township board before any gambling premises permit is issued. Additionally, townships may impose a local gambling tax of up to three percent on gross receipts to cover regulation costs and mandate that gambling organizations contribute ten percent of their net profits to local funds for charity or public safety services. The legislation also allows townships to adopt stricter gambling regulations or prohibit certain types of gambling, such as paddlewheels, provided these rules apply equally to all forms of lawful gambling in the area.
This bill requires gas stations in Minnesota to display the specific amount of state and federal gas tax included in fuel prices on both dispenser signs and sales receipts, with these requirements taking effect in 2027. It also removes the automatic annual increase mechanism for motor fuels taxes, which previously adjusted rates based on construction costs, and instead sets fixed tax rates for various fuel types that will remain stable starting in 2026. The legislation directly affects fuel retailers and drivers by mandating clearer price transparency while eliminating the formula that caused tax rates to rise each year.
This bill allocates $200,000 from the state's general fund to help the city of North Branch build a regional veterans memorial. The money is designated for fiscal year 2027 and will be managed by the commissioner of employment and economic development to provide a grant directly to the city. Funds are available only until the project is finished or cancelled, and the law takes effect immediately upon final passage.
This bill establishes a new special license plate program called "Minnesota Main Streets" for vehicle owners in Minnesota who wish to support local community initiatives. To qualify, vehicle owners must pay standard registration fees and contribute at least $30 annually to a dedicated account, with the plate design featuring the phrase "Legendary Landmarks" to celebrate Minnesota's historic sites and commercial districts. The collected contributions will fund the Minnesota Main Streets program through the commissioner of public safety, while the plates can be transferred to another eligible vehicle owned by the same person for a $5 fee. The program will become effective on January 1, 2027, allowing qualifying vehicle owners to display these plates starting from that date.
This bill prohibits landlords in Minnesota from including clauses in residential leases that prevent tenants from joining class action lawsuits. It makes such restrictions automatically invalid and unenforceable, regardless of whether they are written or oral agreements. If a landlord violates this rule, tenants can sue for three times their actual damages, at least $1,000, plus reasonable legal fees. The law applies to all residential leases and cannot be changed or waived by either the landlord or tenant.
