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HF466 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Merriam Junction Regional Trail segment funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF791

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

The bill would provide funding to advance a segment of the Merriam Junction Regional Trail in Scott County. Specifically, it aims to authorize state bonding to support a grant from the Department of Natural Resources to Scott County for acquiring property and for the early planning and construction work needed to build about 4.3 miles of the Louisville Segment of the trail, stretching from the Louisville Swamp Trailhead (Louisville Township) to the Big Woods Trail (Shakopee).

Main Provisions

  • Appropriation: Allocates 7,300,000 dollars from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of natural resources. The funds are to be used as a grant to Scott County for:
    • acquiring property or rights in property,
    • predesign work (early planning),
    • design, and
    • construction of approximately 4.3 miles of the Louisville Segment of the Merriam Junction Regional Trail.
  • Bonding authority: Requires the commissioner of management and budget to issue state bonds up to 7,300,000 dollars to finance the appropriation. The bond issuance must follow the terms of Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and comply with the Minnesota Constitution, Article XI, sections 4 to 7.

Funding and Financing

  • Source of funds: Bond proceeds fund.
  • How funds will be used: Grant to Scott County for property acquisition and for predesign, design, and construction of the trail segment.
  • Debt mechanism: State bonds will be issued to provide the money, under established state bonding laws and constitutional provisions.

Impact on Existing Law

  • The bill does not repeal or rewrite existing law but creates a new appropriation and bond authorization for a specific trail project.
  • It expands state debt financing (bond issuance) to fund a local trail project and design/construction work.

Location and Scope

  • Project area: Merriam Junction Regional Trail, Louisville Segment, in Scott County.
  • Specific segment: From the Louisville Swamp Trailhead in Louisville Township to the Big Woods Trail in Shakopee.

Significance

  • It advances regional trail infrastructure and outdoor recreation opportunities.
  • It supports property acquisition and planning to enable the 4.3-mile trail segment in a key local corridor.

Relevant Terms - appropriation - bond proceeds fund - grant - Scott County - Merriam Junction Regional Trail - Louisville Segment - Louisville Swamp Trailhead - Big Woods Trail - Shakopee - predesign - design - construct - property acquisition - bond sale / bonds - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI, sections 4 to 7

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 13, 2025HouseActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toCapital Investment

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill authorizes a bond sale to finance a Scott County Merriam Junction Regional Trail project, with the bond issuance governed by Minnesota Statutes sections 16A.631 to 16A.675.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "16A.631 to 16A.675",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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