HF 3659 Summary

• Extends eminent domain protections for passenger rail lines to match those already applicable to high-voltage transmission lines and natural gas/petroleum pipelines under Minnesota Statutes section 117.189.

• Requires corridor capacity analysis and alternatives analysis before environmental review or preliminary engineering, with public hearings in affected cities and two-week advance newspaper notice required.

• Prohibits state funds from being spent on passenger rail project studies, planning, capacity analysis, alternatives analysis, environmental analysis, design, engineering, construction, equipment, or property acquisition unless the funds are specifically appropriated by law identifying the route or the project is specifically authorized by law, and the governor finds the project serves a public purpose and is the preferred transportation alternative.

• Grants property owners whose land is acquired through eminent domain proceedings for passenger rail the option to require acquisition of contiguous, commercially viable land they wholly own, with the responsible authority bearing burden of proof to demonstrate lack of commercial viability.

• Prohibits state acquisition or use agreements for passenger rail property unless the project meets the funding and gubernatorial approval requirements in the bill.