SF2540 - Omnibus Transportation Policy Bill Summary

• Establishes comprehensive school bus transportation definitions and classifications (regular, excess, desegregation, and special needs) with specific eligibility criteria and depreciation calculations for aid purposes.

• Requires transportation authorities to designate business liaisons and mitigate substantial business impacts during highway construction projects, with specific notice and coordination requirements.

• Creates complete streets policy framework requiring consideration of safety and accessibility for motorists, pedestrians, transit users, bicyclists, and emergency vehicles in transportation planning and design.

• Enacts extensive vehicle regulation changes including license plate standards, towing restrictions (prohibiting tows for expired tabs under 90 days or minor parking violations), intersection gridlock penalties, and cargo tank vehicle weight exemptions for propane and fuel oil deliveries.

• Establishes Minnesota Council on Transportation Access to coordinate and improve transportation services for disabled persons, seniors, and low-income individuals; creates Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Collaborative to improve program effectiveness; and authorizes TIFIA pilot program for federal transportation financing assistance.