Vetoed by Governor Tim Pawlenty

Full Bill Text
Veto Letter

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a conference committee report that amends the state's transportation policies, including establishing preconditions for the state's compliance with the federal Real ID Act of 2005.

Highlights:

- Prohibits the Commissioner of Public Safety from expending any state funds to implement or comply with the federal Real ID Act of 2005, unless all of the following applies (Sec. 117):

- Congress appropriates enough funds to cover 95 percent of the costs incurred by the state's implementation and compliance with the Real ID Act; and - The Department of Public Safety has certified that the information collected by the Minnesota Department of Transportation under the Real ID Act contain reasonable security measures to protect the privacy of citizens and protect against the unauthorized disclosure of data and unreasonable costs.

- Requires each bridge to be inspected annually, unless otherwise approved by the Commissioner of Transportation. The commissioner may require interim inspections at intervals of less than one year, or extend the intervals to two or four years, depending on the bridge (Sec. 20). - Establishes additional guidelines for utilizing private contractors for the construction, improvement or maintenance of trunk highways. Prior to entering into a privatization transportation contract that exceeds $100,000, the Commissioner of Transportation must prepare an estimate of the cost of having the same work provided by the agency's employees. If the contract is $250,000 or more, the cost-benefit analysis must address the quality of work and the potential for layoffs if the contract is enforced (Sec. 16). - Increases the cap on the annual funding level for transportation research at the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies from $800,000 to $1.2 million (Sec. 17). - Allows an authorized employee of the Department of Transportation's freeway service patrol to issue an order to tow a vehicle on a trunk highway prior to a citation being issued by a peace officer (Sec. 41). - Allows the Commissioner of Transportation to enter into an agreement with the city of Willmar to allow funds that were originally granted to city for land acquisition purposes to instead by used by June 30, 2012 as the state's share of funds for aeronautical purposes at the city's new airport (Sec. 124). - Requires the Commissioner of Transportation to conduct studies on the current and long-range needs of the state's transportation system and speed limits on local roads (Secs. 119-120). - Requires the Commissioner of Public Safety to submit a proposal by February 1, 2009 identifying a method that allows the Department of Public Safety, its deputy registrars, and driver's license agents to collect payment by credit or debit card. (Sec. 118).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a conference committee report that amends the state's transportation policies, including establishing preconditions for the state's compliance with the federal Real ID Act of 2005.

Highlights:

- Prohibits the Commissioner of Public Safety from expending any state funds to implement or comply with the federal Real ID Act of 2005, unless all of the following applies (Sec. 117):

- Congress appropriates enough funds to cover 95 percent of the costs incurred by the state's implementation and compliance with the Real ID Act; and - The Department of Public Safety has certified that the information collected by the Minnesota Department of Transportation under the Real ID Act contain reasonable security measures to protect the privacy of citizens and protect against the unauthorized disclosure of data and unreasonable costs.

- Requires each bridge to be inspected annually, unless otherwise approved by the Commissioner of Transportation. The commissioner may require interim inspections at intervals of less than one year, or extend the intervals to two or four years, depending on the bridge (Sec. 20). - Establishes additional guidelines for utilizing private contractors for the construction, improvement or maintenance of trunk highways. Prior to entering into a privatization transportation contract that exceeds $100,000, the Commissioner of Transportation must prepare an estimate of the cost of having the same work provided by the agency's employees. If the contract is $250,000 or more, the cost-benefit analysis must address the quality of work and the potential for layoffs if the contract is enforced (Sec. 16). - Increases the cap on the annual funding level for transportation research at the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies from $800,000 to $1.2 million (Sec. 17). - Allows an authorized employee of the Department of Transportation's freeway service patrol to issue an order to tow a vehicle on a trunk highway prior to a citation being issued by a peace officer (Sec. 41). - Allows the Commissioner of Transportation to enter into an agreement with the city of Willmar to allow funds that were originally granted to city for land acquisition purposes to instead by used by June 30, 2012 as the state's share of funds for aeronautical purposes at the city's new airport (Sec. 124). - Requires the Commissioner of Transportation to conduct studies on the current and long-range needs of the state's transportation system and speed limits on local roads (Secs. 119-120). - Requires the Commissioner of Public Safety to submit a proposal by February 1, 2009 identifying a method that allows the Department of Public Safety, its deputy registrars, and driver's license agents to collect payment by credit or debit card. (Sec. 118).

Full Bill Text