HF4434 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Requirements relating to design standards and variances in certain transportation projects modified, and report required.
Related bill: SF4598
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- The bill focuses on transportation design rules for certain projects. It aims to standardize how design and engineering standards are set for county state-aid projects, tying them to a single reference document and adding a reporting requirement.
Main provisions
- Adds a new subdivision (Subd. 1a) to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 162.02, establishing time-in-force for state-aid standards.
- The new Subd. 1a states that design and engineering standards for all new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or resurfacing county state-aid projects approved by the state-aid engineer are to be determined and set by the most recent edition of the Facility Design Guide or a successor document established by the commissioner.
- The bill involves amendments or additions to multiple statutes (including sections 162.02, 162.09, and 162.155) to codify these standards and the related processes.
- It mentions modifications to requirements relating to design standards and variances in certain transportation projects, and it requires a report related to these standards.
Significant changes to existing law
- Officially links state-aid design and engineering standards for county projects to the Facility Design Guide (or its successor) as the controlling reference.
- Establishes that the latest edition of the Facility Design Guide, as determined by the commissioner, governs design decisions for the specified projects.
- Creates new subdivisions and potential reporting requirements to support these standardized standards.
How this affects transportation projects
- For county state-aid projects (new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, resurfacing) approved by the state-aid engineer, project design decisions must follow the Facility Design Guide’s most current edition.
- The commissioner’s role is reinforced in maintaining and updating the standard reference document.
Relevant terms - state aid standards - design and engineering standards - county state-aid projects - state-aid engineer - Facility Design Guide - most recent edition - commissioner - reconstruction - rehabilitation - resurfacing - new construction - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 162.02 - subdivision 3a - subdivision 162.09 subdivision 3a - 162.155 - report - variances
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 18, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Transportation Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds design standards provisions for all new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or resurfacing of county state-aid projects."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minn. Stat. 162.02, subd. 3a to add design standards for state-aid highway projects, referencing the Facility Design Guide or a successor document.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "162.02",
"subdivision": "subd. 3a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Creates subdivision 3a in section 162.09 to establish design standards for state-aid project design."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill would add Minn. Stat. 162.09, subd. 3a to establish design standards for county/state-aid projects.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "162.09",
"subdivision": "subd. 3a"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee