MN HF3864

Establishes a 15-member high-speed rail project advisory working group to observe and report on development of a privately financed passenger rail line between Rochester and the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.

Membership includes 2 senators, 2 house members, 2 gubernatorial appointees, transportation and public safety commissioners, and one resident each from Dakota, Dodge, Goodhue, Hennepin, Olmsted, and Ramsey counties, plus a University of Minnesota representative.

Working group must examine public engagement processes, land acquisition activities, taxpayer protections, landowner rights, contracts, and project risks; file annual reports to the legislature by February 1.

All costs must be funded entirely by nonstate sources deposited in a high-speed rail project account in the special revenue fund; public members receive no compensation.

Working group expires June 30, 2020, or when the project commences revenue operation or is abandoned, whichever occurs first; effectiveness is triggered when the transportation commissioner notifies the University of Minnesota of a right-of-way negotiation request.