MN HF3189

Amends Minnesota Statutes section 222.50 to establish a new freight railroad preservation and improvement grant program administered by the transportation commissioner.

Eligible grant recipients include Class II and Class III railroads, rail users, and local units of government, regardless of whether they own rail facilities.

Commissioner must prioritize grants for projects identified in subdivision 7, segments with low rail service use, and applicants contributing more than 20 percent of total project cost from non-state and non-federal sources.

Individual grants may not exceed 80 percent of total project cost.

Appropriates $4,500,000 from bond proceeds to fund the grant program and authorizes issuance of state bonds up to $4,500,000 for this purpose.