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HF3811 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Cook County; Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway improvements funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF4261

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill authorizes a capital investment project in Cook County to improve the Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway. It aims to fund design, engineering, and construction work to enhance a ten-mile segment of the byway, improve safety, and maintain reliable access to nearby natural areas and recreational lands.

Main Provisions

  • Appropriation: Allocates $10,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of transportation to provide a grant to Cook County. The funds are for design, engineering, construction, and reconstruction of capital improvements along the northwestern ten miles of the Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway, ending at Trails End Campground.
  • Specific work included:
    • Resurfacing about ten miles of roadway starting 46 miles north of Grand Marais at the intersection with United States Forest Service Road 1347 and ending at Trails End Campground.
    • Replacing up to 16 deteriorated culverts along the corridor.
    • Constructing up to four bridges.
    • Maintaining and improving reliable emergency access for residents and visitors.
    • Other related improvements necessary to preserve access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest, and associated recreational areas.
  • Bonding and funding mechanism: Requires the sale and issuance of state bonds up to $10,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund. Bonding must be done in the manner and under the terms of Minnesota statute sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota Constitution, Article XI, sections 4 to 7.

Funding and Bonding

  • Source of funds: Bond proceeds fund.
  • Issuing authority: The commissioner of management and budget shall sell and issue the bonds.
  • Limit: Up to $10,000,000.
  • Legal framework: Bond issuance must follow Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the applicable provisions of the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

Significance and Legal Context

  • Purpose categorization: Relates to capital investment and public infrastructure improvements.
  • Legal changes: Allows new appropriation for byway improvements and authorizes state bond issuance for this project; does not create new ongoing programs but adds a specific funding source and project scope.
  • Geographic scope: Focused on the Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway in Cook County, including linkage to local and federal land areas such as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior National Forest.

Relevant Terms - appropriation - bond proceeds fund - Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway - Cook County - commissioner of transportation - design, engineer, construct, reconstruct - resurfacing - culverts - bridges - emergency access - Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness - Superior National Forest - Trails End Campground - United States Forest Service Road 1347 - bond sale - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI sections 4 to 7 - capital investment - byway improvements

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 26, 2026HouseActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toCapital Investment

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill authorizes the sale and issuance of state bonds up to $10,000,000 for Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway improvements, with terms and conditions governed by Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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