Section 1 creates the road-user charge working group to study and report to the Legislature on the design and implementation of a road-user charge. Membership (15 members) is specified, to include chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative Transportation Committees, the Commissioner of Transportation, and ten public members, five of whom are to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and five by the Majority Leader of the Senate.
Section 2 identifies the working group’s duties to review policy and technical issues, specifying a range of issues required to be studied. The group is directed to utilize the recommendations and findings of the December 2011 Report of Minnesota’s ileage-Based User Fee Policy Task Force, prepared by the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. The group is also directed to seek collaboration with other states and countries and utilize results of their pilot projects and implementation results, and to explore federal funding opportunities.
Section 3 requires the working group to submit a report to the Legislature by January 15, 2017, stating findings and recommendations, proposing an implementation plan developed by the Commissioner of Transportation and approved by the working group, and be based in surface transportation finance principles.
Section 4 specifies administrative provisions for the working group. The group expires May 1, 2017, or upon submission of the report required under section 3.
Section 5 specifies that appointments and designations of working group members must be completed by August 1, 2015.
Section 6 appropriates unspecified amounts: (a) to the Legislative Coordinating Commission from the general fund for the working group; and (b) to the Commissioner of Transportation from the trunk highway fund to develop the implementation plan.
Section 7 provides that sections 1-6 are effective July 1, 2015.
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