H.F. No. 4539 Summary

• Appropriates $3.9 million in fiscal year 2020 and $11.3 million in fiscal year 2021 to the Department of Public Safety and Metropolitan Council for highway patrol staffing, commercial vehicle enforcement, capitol security, and Metro Transit safety measures

• Modifies transportation permit and vehicle registration provisions, including reducing minimum broker sale prices from 90% to 80% of appraised value for excess highway land sales and adjusting dealer plate fees

• Establishes new regulations for unmanned aircraft systems weighing under 55 pounds, requiring annual $25 registration fee or exemption for recreational use, and creates stand-alone tower marking and notification requirements

• Creates transit enforcement and administrative citations program allowing Metropolitan Council to issue fines of $35-$100 for fare violations beginning January 1, 2021, in seven-county metro area

• Modifies state rail safety inspector program structure, allows federal loan repayment through transportation permit revenue, and repeals accident reporting requirement for drivers to file written reports with commissioner