MN HF698

Proposes constitutional amendment to repeal Article XI, Section 15 (legacy amendment for outdoor heritage, clean water, parks/trails, and arts/cultural heritage) and replace it with a 0.375% sales tax increase from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2034, dedicating 67% to deficient roads and bridges fund and 33% to clean water fund.

Deficient roads and bridges fund prioritizes: (1) structurally deficient bridges and highways on trunk highway system; (2) increased weight limits on trunk highways to 10-ton axle weight; (3) improvements to county state-aid highways, county highways, and township roads not meeting minimum standards.

Clean water fund allocates: 10% to local lake associations for aquatic invasive species prevention, 60% for invasive species eradication, 25% for river/stream monitoring grants, 5% for administrative costs, with public accounting required and two-year funding ineligibility for recipients violating terms.

Prohibits use of deficient roads and bridges fund for light rail transit projects and bars state funds from advertising against or state employees from campaigning against the proposed amendments.

Amendment must be submitted to voters at 2018 general election; conforming changes made to multiple Minnesota statutes and several sections repealed effective upon constitutional amendment adoption.