Purpose

• Reallocates funds from the Blue Line light rail transit extension project to support an arterial bus rapid transit (BRT) line in the same corridor. It cancels an unused balance from a prior light rail appropriation and redirects it as a one-time grant for BRT development.

Main provisions

• a) Cancellation: The unencumbered balance from the appropriation for the Blue Line light rail extension (from Laws 2023 chapter 68, article 1, section 3, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2024 chapter 127, article 1, section 1) is canceled to the general fund on June 29, 2027.
• b) New appropriation: Any amount canceled under paragraph a is appropriated in fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Metropolitan Council for development of an arterial BRT line in the proposed Blue Line extension corridor. This is a one-time appropriation and must be available until June 30, 2029.

Significant changes to existing law

• Shifts funding away from the previously authorized Blue Line light rail extension project toward the development of an arterial BRT line in the same corridor.
• Introduces a one-time appropriation to the Metropolitan Council for arterial BRT in 2027, with a deadline of use by June 30, 2029.
• Alters the timeline for when the unencumbered funds become available by canceling them to the general fund rather than carrying forward for the light rail project.

Practical implications (what it means)

• The bill changes the use of certain transit funds from rail expansion to bus rapid transit, specifically within the Blue Line corridor.
• It creates a short-term opportunity (2027–2029) to fund arterial BRT rather than continuing the light rail extension as originally planned, pending how the new appropriation is allocated and implemented.

Terminology notes (for clarity)

• Blue Line light rail transit extension project
• arterial bus rapid transit line (arterial BRT)
• unencumbered balance
• general fund
• appropriation
• Metropolitan Council
• fiscal year 2027
• one-time appropriation

Relevant Terms - Blue Line light rail extension project - arterial bus rapid transit (arterial BRT) - unencumbered balance - general fund - appropriation - Metropolitan Council - fiscal year 2027 - June 29, 2027 - June 30, 2029 - Laws 2023 chapter 68 - Laws 2024 chapter 127