Section 1 amends the section of law concerning MnDOT promulgation of rules for the county state-aid highway (CSAH) system by striking a reference to the ability to use the expedited rulemaking process, which is now governed under section 5.

Section 2 provides that CSAH rules have the force of law as provided in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14, which deals with rulemaking.

Section 3 amends the section of law concerning MnDOT promulgation of rules for the municipal state-aid street (MSAS) system by striking a reference to the ability to use the expedited rulemaking process, which is now governed under section 5.

Section 4 provides that MSAS rules have the force of law as provided in chapter 14, which deals with rulemaking.

Section 5 directs the commissioner to adopt rules establishing engineering standards for cost estimation when calculating money needs for CSAH and MSAS apportionment purposes.  These rules, along with rules pertaining to the CSAH and MSAS systems, calculation of money needs, and apportionment of money to counties and cities are exempt from the full rulemaking process and may be adopted by expedited rulemaking, except that they do not expire after two years.  

Section 6 changes the language relating to the existing $300 permit fee for a vehicle hauling raw or unfinished forest products.  Fee revenues will be deposited in the bridge inspection and signing account rather than in the trunk highway fund, as provided by current law.

Section 7 restates, with some modifications, the language that creates the bridge inspection and signing account in the special revenue fund.  Money in the account is annually appropriated to the commissioner for local bridge inspection and posting of weight limits.

Section 8 changes the deposit of fee revenues for special farm products hauling permits to the bridge inspection and signing account rather than in the trunk highway fund, as provided in current law.

Section 9 directs the Commissioners of Transportation, Natural Resources, and the Pollution Control Agency to report by November 15, 2012, to the identified legislative committees on recommendations for a single point of issuance system to streamline water-related permitting for transportation projects.

BB/KB:rer