MN HF3035

Legislative auditor must conduct a special review, program evaluation, or combination of both for the Southwest light rail transit project.

Evaluation must examine reasons for delays and cost increases, Metropolitan Council's project management and schedule/cost oversight, and scrutiny of route decisions and design choices affecting project costs.

Legislative auditor encouraged to evaluate cost estimating practices, project management personnel qualifications, change order procedures, contingency fund usage, safety standards adherence, and perform cost-benefit analysis.

Metropolitan Council prohibited from retaliating against employees or contractors who participate in the review and must provide semi-annual status updates to legislative committees on expenditures and completion dates.

$200,000 appropriated from general fund to legislative auditor in fiscal year 2022 for the review, available until June 30, 2025.