MN SF1525

Establishes the Mississippi River Trail bikeway originating at Itasca State Park and paralleling the Mississippi River through 13 cities ending at Minnesota's Iowa boundary, with potential designation on both sides of the river where feasible.

Creates the James L. Oberstar Memorial Bikeway running north from St. Paul through North Branch, Hinckley, Carlton, Duluth, Two Harbors, and Grand Marais to Minnesota's Canada boundary.

Requires the commissioner of transportation to identify existing regional bikeways near but not connected to the Mississippi River Trail and support development of linkages between them, designating this as secondary priority to the main bikeway establishment.

Authorizes the transportation commissioner to petition courts for referral to the Office of Administrative Hearings as an alternative to commissioners' hearings for damage awards in condemnation proceedings, with all parties including condemnees required to consent.

Limits alternative damages appraisal authorization to five transportation projects and expires the provision on June 30, 2018.