THIRTY-EIGHTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-EIGHTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SEVENTH SESSION

TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND FINANCE

MINUTES

Representative Beard, Chair of the Transportation Policy and Finance Committee, called the meeting to order at 12:40 P.M. on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, in the Basement of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:

BEARD, Mike, Chair
MURDOCK, Vice Chair
BENSON, Mike
BUESGENS, Mark
CHAMPION, Bobby Joe
EKEN, Kent
GAUTHIER, Kerry
HAUSMAN, Alice
HORNSTEIN, Frank
KIEL, Debra
LEIDIGER, Ernie
MORROW, Terry
MURRAY, Rich
NELSON, Michael
SANDERS, Tim
SHIMANSKI, Ron
VOGEL, Bruce

No members were excused.

A quorum was present.

Representative Benson moved that the minutes from the committee meeting on March 12, 2012, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF2775 (Fabian) Towed implements of husbandry brake requirements amended.

Representative Kiel moved HF2775 and recommended that it pass and be re-referred to the General Register.

Representative Fabian presented HF2775.

Testifiers: Rich Strom, MN South Dakota Equipment Dealers Association, and
Gene Halverson, MN Department of Transportation.

Representative Kiel renewed her motion that HF2775 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF1607 (Woodard) State Patrol authorized to provide security and protection to certain government officials, and capitol complex security committee established.

Representative Vogel moved HF1607 and recommended that it pass and be re-referred to the Committee on State Government Finance.

Representative Woodard presented HF1607.

Testifier: Robert Meyerson, State Patrol, Director of Capitol Security, Capitol Complex.

Representative Vogel renewed his motion that HF1607 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on State Government Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF2632 (Winkler) Golden Valley deputy registrar office reinstatement directed.

Representative Eken moved HF2632 and recommended that it pass and be re-referred to the General Register.

Representative Eken moved the H2632A1 amendment.

Representative Eken moved to incorporate the H2632A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Winkler presented HF2632, as amended.

Testifiers: Shep Harris, Mayor of Golden Valley,
Pat McCormack, Director of Driver and Vehicle Services, DPS,
Mary Ellison, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and
Tom Burt, City Manager, Golden Valley.

Representative Eken renewed his motion that HF2632 be recommended to pass, as amended, and re-referred to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF2793 (Shimanski) Vehicle combination allowed to transport property and equipment.

Representative Shimanski moved HF2793 and recommended that it pass and be re-referred to the General Register.

Representative Shimanski presented HF2793.

Testifier: Jim Sinclair, Minnesota State Fair Operations.

Representative Shimanski renewed his motion that HF2793 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF2687 (Kiel) Bridge inspection regulated.

Representative Kiel moved HF2687.

Representative Kiel presented HF2687.

Testifier: Tom Styrbicki, Minnesota Department of Transportation Bridge Office.

HF2687 was laid over.

Chair Beard recessed the committee at 1:23 P.M.

Chair Beard reconvened the committee at 1:28 P.M.

HF2051 (Paymar) Electric-assisted bicycle regulations amended.

Representative Morrow moved HF2051 and recommended that it pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance.

Representative Morrow moved an oral amendment to HF2051 as follows:
Page 3, delete section 9.
Page 7, delete article 2.

Representative Morrow moved to incorporate the oral amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Paymar presented HF2051, as amended.

Testifier: Alfred Zdrazil, Constituent of District 64B.

Representative Morrow renewed his motion that HF2051 be recommended to pass, as amended, and re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

HF2753 (Hornstein) Electric-assisted bicycle regulated as bicycle rather than motorized bicycle.

Representative Hornstein moved HF2753 and recommended it to pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance.

Representative Hornstein presented HF2753.

Testifiers: Alfred Zdrazil, Constituent of District 64B, and
Dorian Grilley, Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.

Representative Hornstein renewed his motion that HF2753 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance.

HF2780 (Hornstein) Veteran license plate stacked letter surcharge eliminated, anatomical gift education donation with vehicle registration tax authorized and account created, DWI conviction driver's license revocation periods provisions conformed, driver's license surcharge and payment acceptable methods provided, and motor vehicle title searches fee authorized and appropriated to the Department of Public Safety.

Representative Hornstein moved HF2780.

Representative Hornstein presented HF2780.

Testifier: Pat McCormack, Director of Driver and Vehicle Services, DPS.

HF2780 was laid over.

HF2232 (Drazkowski) Welfare fraud prevented, drivers license photo access allowed in welfare fraud investigations, driver's license authentic verification required prior to granting welfare benefits, drug conviction search required to determine welfare benefit eligibility, and drug offenders excluded from welfare eligibility.

Chair Beard moved HF2232, as amended by the H2232DE1-2 amendment, and recommended it to pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary Policy and Finance.

Chair Beard moved the H2232A4 amendment.

Representative Drazkowski presented the H2232A4 amendment.

Testifiers: Jerry Kurber, MN Department of Health and Human Services, and
Pat McCormack, Director of Driver and Vehicle Services, DPS.

Chair Beard moved to incorporate the H2232A4 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Chair Beard renewed his motion that HF2232 be recommended to pass, as amended, and re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary Policy and Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Beard recessed the committee at 2:18 P.M.
Chair Beard reconvened the committee at 6:35 P.M.

HF2624 (Beard) Local bridge over the Minnesota River between Carver and Scott Counties funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Chair Beard moved HF2624.

Chair Beard presented HF2624.

Testifier: Lisa Freese, Transportation Project Manager, Scott County, and
Scott Peterson, Government Affairs, MN Department of Transportation.

HF2624 was laid over.

HF2868 (Lohmer) Municipal state-aid street fund governing eligibility and apportionment provisions modified.

Representative Shimanski moved HF2868.

Representative Lohmer presented HF2868.

Testifiers: Mary McComber, Oak Park Heights City Council Member,
Gary Kriesel, Washington County Commissioner, and
Mike Polehua, Stillwater City Council Member.

HF2868 was laid over.

HF2133 (Kriesel) Gateway Corridor (I-94 East) funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Representative Gauthier moved HF2133.

Representative Kriesel presented HF2133.

Testifier: Lisa Weik, Washington County Commissioner.

HF2133 was laid over.

HF911 (Quam) Rochester; Trunk Highway 52 improvement funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Representative Leidiger moved HF911.

Representative Quam presented HF911.

HF911 was laid over.

HF2099 (Peppin) Maple Grove transit station, phase 2 parking expansion funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Representative Nelson moved HF2099.

Representative Nelson moved an oral amendment to HF2099 as follows:
Page 1, line 7, delete "$11,000,000" and insert "$3,500,000"
Page 1, line 10, delete "450" and insert "210"
Page 1, line 14, delete "$11,000,000" and insert "$3,500,000"

Representative Nelson moved to incorporate the oral amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Peppin presented HF2099, as amended.

Testifier: Mike Opatz, Transit Administrator, City of Maple Grove.

HF2099 was laid over, as amended.

HF266 (Morrow) Rail service improvement program funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Representative Morrow moved HF266.

Representative Morrow presented HF266.

Testifiers: John Apitz, MN Regional Railroads Association, and
Bill Gardner, Director of the Freight Office, MN Department of Transportation.

HF266 was laid over.

HF2399 (Hausman) Rail capacity improvement funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Representative Hausman moved HF2399.

Representative Hausman moved the H2399A1 amendment.

Representative Hausman presented HF2399.

Testifiers: Mike Rogers, Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority, and
Amber Backhaus, Canadia Pacific Railway.

Representative Hausman moved to incorporate the H2399A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

HF2399 was laid over, as amended.

HF2042 (Abeler) Ramsey; Highway 10 and Armstrong Boulevard Interchange funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Representative Vogel moved HF2042.

Representative Abeler presented HF2042.

Testifiers: Bob Ramsey, Mayor City of Ramsey, and
Matt Look, Anoka County Commissioner.

HF2042 was laid over.

HF1456 (Hornstein) Lake Street Transit Station funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Representative Hornstein moved HF1456.

Representative Hornstein presented HF1456.

Testifier: Jim Grube, Hennepin County Engineer.
HF1456 was laid over.

HF1679 (Hornstein) Minneapolis Transportation Interchange funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Representative Hornstein moved HF1679.

Representative Hornstein presented HF1679.

Testifier: Peter McLaughlin, Chair, Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority.

HF1679 was laid over.

HF1696 (Simon) Southwest Corridor light rail transit line funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Representative Hausman moved HF1696.

Representative Simon presented HF1696.

Testifiers: Todd Klingel, Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce,
Bruce Nustad, President, TwinWest Chamber of Commerce,
Gail Dorfman, Hennepin County Commissioner,
Dan Duffy, TwinWest Chamber of Commerce,
Thom Miller, Resident St. Louis Park, Safety in the Park Co-Chair, and
Kandi Arries, Resident of St. Louis Park.

HF2685 (Beard) Metro Transit service fare increases required.

Chair Beard moved HF2685 and recommended that it pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections.

Chair Beard moved the H2685DE1 amendment.

Chair Beard presented the H2685DE1 amendment.

Testifiers: Kari Sheldon, Citizen, Self Representing Metro Transit Riders,
Diogo Reis, MN State Council on Disability,
Scott Peterson, Government Affairs, MN Department of Transportation, and
Abby Bruduck, Association of Minnesota Counties.

Chair Beard moved to incorporate the H2685DE1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Chair Beard moved the H2685A11 amendment.

Chair Beard presented the H2685A11 amendment.

Testifier: Jodee Buhr, Education MN.

Chair Beard moved to incorporate the H2685A11 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Buesgens moved the A12-0734 amendment.

Representative Buesgens presented the A12-0734 amendment.

Representative Buesgens moved to incorporate the A12-0734 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Chair Beard moved the A12-0740 amendment.

Chair Beard presented the A12-0740 amendment.

Testifier: Teresa Lynch, Medica.

Chair Beard moved to incorporate the A12-0740 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Buesgens moved the H2685A4 amendment.

Representative Buesgens presented the H2685A4 amendment.

Testifiers: Mary Ellison, Deputy Commissioner, MN Department of Public Safety, and
Pat McCormack, Director, Driver and Vehicle Services, DPS.

Representative Buesgens moved to incorporate the H2685A4 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Buesgens moved the H2685A5 amendment.

Representative Buesgens presented the H2685A5 amendment.

Testifier: Cindy Geis, Scott County.

Representative Buesgens moved to incorporate the H2685A5 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Murdock moved the H2685A12 amendment.

Representative Murdock presented the H2685A12 amendment.

Testifiers: Mark Brunner, Manufactured Modular Home Association of MN,
Tim Worke, Associated General Contractors, and
Major Ken Urquhart, MN State Patrol.

Representative Murdock moved to incorporate the H2685A12 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Buesgens moved the H2685A7-1
Representative Buesgens presented the H2685A7-1 amendment.

Testifiers: Dorian Grilley, Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.

Representative Buesgens moved to incorporate the H2685A7-1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Beard moved the H2685A9 amendment.

Representative Beard presented the H2685A9 amendment.

Testifier: Pat McCormack, Director, Driver and Vehicle Services, DPS.

Representative Beard withdrew the H2685A9 amendment.

Representative Nelson moved the H2685A10 amendment.

Representative Nelson modified the H2685A10 amendment as follows:
Page 3, line 5, delete "(a)"
Page 3, delete lines 11 to 13

Representative Nelson presented H2685A10, as modified.

Testifiers: Tom Keliher, MN School Buses Association, and
Brad Lundell, MN Association for Pupil Transportation.

Representative Nelson moved to incorporate the H2685A10 amendment, as modified. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Champion moved the H2685A3-1 amendment.

Representative Champion presented the H2685A3-1 amendment

Representative Champion moved to incorporate the H2685A3-1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDEMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Hornstein moved the H2685A6 amendment.

Representative Hornstein presented the H2685A6 amendment.

Representative Hornstein moved to incorporate the H2685A6 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Beard moved the A12-0733 amendment.

Representative Beard presented the A12-0733 amendment.

Testifiers: James Clark, Suburban Transit Association, and
Judd Schetnan, Government Affairs Director, Metropolitan Council.

Representative Beard moved to incorporate the A12-0733 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Chair Beard moved to incorporate the following into HF2568:
HF2687 (Kiel)
HF2775 (Fabian)
HF2793 (Shimanski)
HF1670 (Hoppe)
HF2868 (Lohmer)
Section 3 of HF2780 (Hornstein)
THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Beard moved to direct staff to make technical and conforming changes. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Beard renewed his motion that HF2685 be recommended to pass, as amended, and re-referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections. THE MOTION PREVAILED.






The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 P.M.




____________________________________
REP. MIKE BEARD, CHAIR



____________________________________
Ana Bahr
Committee Legislative Assistant