MN HF2628

Joint powers board must terminate imposition of metropolitan transportation sales tax under section 297A.992 on sales and purchases made on or after July 1, 2017, and is prohibited from reimposing the tax after that date.

Allocates all available funds from taxes imposed prior to termination in priority order: debt service on pre-2011 bonds, escrow for bond defeasance, specific grants to counties ($5.9 million to Anoka, $46.8 million to Dakota, $27.8 million to Washington, $125.9 million to Hennepin), and remaining funds distributed by percentage (10.3%, 15.9%, 7.1%, and 66.7% respectively).

Counties outside the metropolitan transportation area may impose transportation sales tax at rate up to one-half of one percent, but counties that previously imposed the metropolitan tax cannot exceed one-quarter of one percent without voter approval at a general election.

Prohibits use of funds outside the metropolitan area for capital costs of guideway projects and operating or capital maintenance costs of guideways unless the guideway was in revenue operations on the bill's effective date.

Defines "separated rights-of-way" to include exclusive, dedicated, or primary use of a right-of-way and excludes shoulders, dynamic shoulder lanes, and priced lanes.