[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6326774,"mediaKeyId","2323692-eadea6b5d7c6c2620f450e2f0a19f5a7","parentId",2323692,"title","Committee weighs moving blackout-plate revenue to highway fund; DVS warns transfer would create operating shortfall","audioSeconds",111,"startMs",4545000,"endMs",4656000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323692-eadea6b5d7c6c2620f450e2f0a19f5a7&start=4545&end=4656","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323692-eadea6b5d7c6c2620f450e2f0a19f5a7/thumbnail_4545000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326774/Minnesota/Committee-weighs-moving-blackout-plate-revenue-to-highway-fund-DVS-warns-transfer-would-create-operating-shortfall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326774-98a47c449f4766ba8dd47237c1a524a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773615044&Signature=fuNSU-i12A9XGhSubPWsCh5iM878-dWOXNeMaQuuq3E8BVJR6grxRzDrvr18t01MCqoY5wPSzGhYK~UNP2g7JM9FpStaKIf-8jTdnHORkMcv0r2ZKoEOnXByyVmf02D1DyuUbHRNQs2Y1LpKdiD~Mb43o3FRTb~vtuSycS6uclK1VJ~Czs1kFDfPE7oj7t~kcQp1-KF1HFG-7yV0Xd~8PmK4l9KWq5P4y2Wf8tozCzWYcbeoEs4U6hxxuBt7-rWvCvowXOaZcw9L7wV2hhCavbT4ufUElpY2Log-IUr9ZGUUD8wfhs9V7kVLo1aR8NLXoL1Vxaa-ldqlPXZX-EocGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MNHouseInfo","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","House File 305, introduced Feb. 17, 2025, seeks to redirect revenue from voluntary blackout specialty license plates from the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) operating account into the Highway User Tax Distribution (HUTD) fund.

Peng Zhang, director of the Driver and Vehicle Services Division, testified that blackout-plate contribution fees are voluntary special-plate fees that currently support DVS operations. Zhang said the blackout plate revenue is an approximately $8,000,000-per-year voluntary contribution and that transferring it would reduce DVS's available operating revenue and likely cause a deficit in the DVS operating account. \"Transferring the blackout special plate to the highway user tax distribution fund will result in an increase of 1 quarter of 1% of the $6,300,000,000 in tax revenues forecast to be collected into the highway user tax distribution fund over the biennium,\" Zhang said.

Representative Ream offered an A1 amendment to earmark blackout-plate revenue for driver's exam staffing, exam stations and related costs until DVS met performance goals. Proponents of the amendment argued the money should be used specifically to address testing capacity; opponents said DVS had already hired 30 staff funded by last year's appropriation and that permanently earmarking the blackout revenue risked depleting the DVS operating account.

The A1 amendment failed on a roll call, 7 ayes to 8 nays. The roll call on the amendment recorded votes as: Chair Kosnick (No); Vice Chair Myers (No); Representative Anderson (No); Representative Berg (Yes); Representative Fogelman (No); Representative Green (Yes); Representative Jones (Yes); Representative Joy (Yes); Representative Kraft (Yes); Representative Murphy (No); Representative Olsen (No); Representative Ream (Yes); Representative Sensory Murrow (Yes); Representative Scrabba (No); Representative Tabke (Yes). After debate the committee laid House File 305 over for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 2/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","House File 305 would transfer revenue from voluntary blackout special plates into the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund; Driver and Vehicle Services warned the transfer would reduce funds in the DVS operating account and could create a deficit, while an amendment to earmark funds for exam staffing failed 8-7.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326779,"Committee hears proposal to up‑scope pavement projects for longer life; supporters say small upcharges yield big life‑cycle savings",1764,2698000,4462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323692-eadea6b5d7c6c2620f450e2f0a19f5a7&start=2698&end=4462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323692-eadea6b5d7c6c2620f450e2f0a19f5a7/thumbnail_2698000.jpg","/articles/6326779/Minnesota/Committee-hears-proposal-to-upscope-pavement-projects-for-longer-life-supporters-say-small-upcharges-yield-big-lifecycle-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326779-88119d68fb6520af9531287a168511f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773615044&Signature=E1BERLo8BAicgiU7ceNSggAepCNJ3HIvS1PQBBlZQM9IpJwwpLsVI1Oc-YlmAPnldNGJ784nVcoZK6iCUGV-D7rkd-6KLo2hfuIQhsWXbE6TkJSwLq~foX0EX6bozB4XiribV-V6qFAvN5ziMHhUZczQn9QURkqLnVkg7Xy5L0o5ZM0zxyUr2rRYrxXHvWhxWcHWugyXQB9KlH6yMYMUmBfjl7HPM494m~j9HrZWxWj0EAMMoUEpn9-FGcG4cZ1PhHvgmd~m~Mgx6g4I8BUP6UF4jYdpfW0pM7dUj6F3qORZCdapbEJCt6FWMNMk9zT5dzkheXeo~F~6eLfUwdJRaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House File 185 was presented Feb. 17, 2025, proposing a resilient paving program to fund targeted increases in pavement thickness and improved foundation specifications that supporters say can double pavement life for a small fraction of total project cost.

Representative Cagle described the bill as an \"upscoping\" measure to make roads last longer and reduce future maintenance. Dan LeBeau, executive director of the Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota, cited MnDOT life‑cycle analyses and a State Highway 5 Carver County example: increasing pavement design life from 20 to 50 years would cost about $500,000 on an approximately $115,000,000 project, a fractional increase in the total project cost that could more than double pavement longevity.

Civil engineer David White emphasized that inadequate pavement foundation is a leading cause of premature pavement failure and recommended stronger testing and specifications for sub‑foundations. \"Small investments in improving that foundation can have disproportionate effects on improving the overall cost effectiveness of pavement systems,\" White said.

Eric Rudine of MnDOT said the department helped refine the bill language and supported a 50‑year design-life threshold in the draft. MnDOT officials noted districts make project-by-project decisions and that upscoping provides a tool to spend available funds quickly and increase pavement durability where cost effective.

Supporters argued the program would target funds where a modest upcharge would yield clear life‑cycle benefits, require two‑thirds of funds be spent outside MnDOT's metropolitan district, and prohibit use of funds for overhead or staffing. The committee laid the bill over for further consideration.","House File 185 would create a resilient paving program to fund modest pavement-thickness increases and life-cycle design changes intended to more than double pavement life on selected routes; concrete industry and MnDOT described pilot examples and cost-effectiveness safeguards.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326783,"Bill would let transit agencies use third-party CDL testers to speed hiring; supporters say it reduces weeks-long delays",545,2091000,2636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323692-eadea6b5d7c6c2620f450e2f0a19f5a7&start=2091&end=2636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323692-eadea6b5d7c6c2620f450e2f0a19f5a7/thumbnail_2091000.jpg","/articles/6326783/Minnesota/Bill-would-let-transit-agencies-use-third-party-CDL-testers-to-speed-hiring-supporters-say-it-reduces-weeks-long-delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326783-6ab556a6f6f30bdad0a74ee7ef2b1444/orig.mp4?Expires=1773615044&Signature=MXI9wtHhki9lgSb-UT~NYQC0Q5wIvMV6b1v44-wZUprm6SS0eBW5lkgIdmmk8YIMftN9rDp7RCVr8rcRDvNLhtdApXLqgxqCy5FlSIYkE423vFCcfTltDmihpeipyYQoyxydwfjcZ36HX7QqDyY7y2tQZ63SDAwxEXEUWS~0bYc3JLQz72B0UdP06kXADhyoBfhG3F5uhgwAZLb3DQ1F6NlDpleXlu5QRObLOuzJIUA5IgwZIXgjUlN0NvG6gcJxNskkH52ERwERHqi~~kRP-WI2DacnsoVRE7-em~h4bm-zHc7YeasJVZTn623bEBF~54E3Rlko9BLUhC9QqBN-Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House File 303 was presented to the committee on Feb. 17, 2025, to expand current law that allows third-party commercial driver license (CDL) testing for school bus drivers to include public transit operators in Greater Minnesota.

Representative Perryman introduced the bill and said it would permit transit agencies to use third-party testing to shorten CDL licensing timelines. Ryan Daniel, CEO of Saint Cloud Metrobus and president of the Minnesota Public Transit Association, said long waits for CDL testing—\"the average wait time for CDL tests in Minnesota ranges from 6 to 8 weeks, and in some instances, it can extend beyond 10 weeks\"—cause candidates to accept other jobs and force agencies to reduce routes.

Kurt Couture of Cedar Valley Services (Smart Transit) described local impacts: testing candidates often must travel more than an hour for a pre-trip road exam, extending onboarding timelines by weeks and contributing to suspended service in some jurisdictions. \"Having a third party testing system that is similar to school bus entities ... will help make sure we can get our new hires trained and tested and on the road,\" Couture said.

Supporters argued that the school-bus model already permits third-party testing and posed no safety tradeoffs; they framed the bill as a workforce solution rather than a cost driver. Representative Cagle expressed concern about privatizing public services and urged investment in state testing capacity, while supporters noted the proposal carries no direct additional cost and is intended to address staffing shortages that leave riders without service.

The committee laid House File 303 over for further consideration.","House File 303 would allow transit agencies to conduct third-party CDL testing similar to the school-bus model; transit leaders said current wait times of six to eight weeks for CDL testing hamper hiring and force service reductions in Greater Minnesota.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326788,"Committee debates higher EV registration fee and a proposed climate offset amendment; amendment fails 8-7",681,1150000,1831000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323692-eadea6b5d7c6c2620f450e2f0a19f5a7&start=1150&end=1831","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323692-eadea6b5d7c6c2620f450e2f0a19f5a7/thumbnail_1150000.jpg","/articles/6326788/Minnesota/Committee-debates-higher-EV-registration-fee-and-a-proposed-climate-offset-amendment-amendment-fails-8-7","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326788-f21810d1b099773e8159e3781951d3f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773615044&Signature=NLon2azW3AEy9bSJLWMnPtpQTJdn~yzKKSFLMDC3X9gaJ02sptEM-d5M2GVNn1weTxDYOlVihLukfYvF6znsMNxpZqyHh2jz5YIXqn~8hzJXD98s0yxrmzVVR4Zppa~oTn07ORt32rKudhn8-WwDjg7wIEe8FksOSIM7LwivAkiE017utwOS3NEmlXkDLAU-BQZY85IRcuzFCy3lnfDs4B7S~cvvDEs5c-ZxLBieotjTwBNXYi7Y~sIzvaHrdl9owXxz9giBmLqYwg4svx6Zj7OtmDnrWGEdSrXAQNY7a5PAPM9metXcbTbm15y-W5X7teuybBGyNXHeHWu-DaSSKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House File 189, introduced to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee on Feb. 17, 2025, would raise annual registration fees for electric vehicles to align with per-vehicle contributions from gasoline taxes. Representative Zalesnikar (author) said the change is intended to maintain road and bridge funding as vehicle fuel sources shift.

Representative Zalesnikar described the proposal as a parity measure, citing calculations based on average annual driving in Minnesota and the existing gas-tax framework. \"It's a $62 increase for people that have EV vehicles. That's it, on an annual basis,\" Zalesnikar said, and estimated the change would raise about $3,000,000 annually.

Representative Kraft offered the A1 amendment to reduce some of the proposed fees (for example, lowering an EV fee from $150 to $125 and plug-in hybrid from $75 to $50), exempt motorcycles, place part of the revenue into a greenhouse-gas mitigation account established by prior law, and alter the frequency of inflation adjustments. \"Green transportation is our number 1 source of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota,\" Kraft said while explaining the amendment's intent to fund mitigation for projects that increase vehicle miles traveled.

Representative Olson and others debated the amendment's equity and efficacy. Olson argued the amendment added cost to EVs at an early stage of adoption and said fees should be viewed in context of other registration costs; Representative Lesnar and supporters emphasized parity with users of gasoline-powered vehicles and the need to maintain highway funding.

The committee called a roll call on the A1 amendment. The tally was 7 ayes and 8 nays; the amendment failed and was not adopted. The recorded votes on the amendment were: Chair Kosnick (No); Vice Chair Myers (No); Representative Anderson (No); Representative Berg (Yes); Representative Fogelman (No); Representative Green (Yes); Representative Jones (Yes); Representative Joy (No); Representative Kraft (Yes); Representative Murphy (No); Representative Olson (No); Representative Ream (Yes); Representative Sensory Murrow (Yes); Representative Scrabba (No); Representative Tabke (Yes).

Fresh Energy testified in opposition to raising EV fees, arguing that higher sales taxes and tab fees already offset lost gasoline tax revenue and that EVs accounted for about 1% of vehicles in Minnesota; Fresh Energy said increasing the EV registration fee to $150 would add only about $3,100,000 annually and could hinder adoption. After debate the committee laid House File 189 over for future consideration.","House File 189, a bill to adjust electric vehicle registration fees toward parity with gas-tax contributions, was presented and debated. Representative Kraft offered an amendment to redirect some revenue for greenhouse-gas mitigation and reduce some fees; the amendment failed on a 7-8 roll call. The bill was laid over.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326793,"Minnesota lawmakers hear pitch for state match to replace 70-year-old Duluth air traffic tower",986,139000,1125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323692-eadea6b5d7c6c2620f450e2f0a19f5a7&start=139&end=1125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323692-eadea6b5d7c6c2620f450e2f0a19f5a7/thumbnail_139000.jpg","/articles/6326793/Minnesota/Minnesota-lawmakers-hear-pitch-for-state-match-to-replace-70-year-old-Duluth-air-traffic-tower","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326793-30c21320e99eda92b53016f3a862dbc8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773615044&Signature=AZQOereWcHQqMxjEtXjFZEYAguacgIfn~QaVt0zDJWjakfJ563jyVH85WQ5vZh5WOP6ZAG9d979k3vEzXRrL5FPVD83E5ErRJGPmNA0Nfja0itRIP7W760huhsVvnom8k6miBQjTUOhKa0I8lK36aL3PVol-2B1E4TCkA477SSACpkInigsSOv2xnZMmNv4wp5-tWmPre4VFuMwWHdE9Pxg19rVG~FQgpbXfE8D03vxPDk34e62akV~z2jHZm2TJodQiCwZ~l8qSvfX5xbF1BFqPQ~e41c0UMoO25FccJNN4NjL5XhEKqrHAL~aJ7c~AqJas0Ld5MzZWJ28Gz2IGEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House File 198 was presented to the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee on Feb. 17, 2025, seeking a $14 million state appropriation to match federal funds and replace the 70-year-old air traffic control tower at Duluth International Airport.

Supporters told the committee the existing tower is the third-oldest in the nation and no longer meets modern safety or line-of-sight standards. Representative Zalesnikar introduced the bill for informational purposes and urged timely action so Duluth can leverage federal funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act before the current window closes.

Mark Papko, director of operations for the Duluth Airport Authority, told the committee the airport has already secured $16,000,000 in federal funding and that a $14,000,000 state match would allow the project to proceed. \"We are asking for $14,000,000. We already have $16,000,000 of federal funding secured, and in hand ready to get put to work,\" Papko said. He said the new tower would be taller and built to current safety standards, noting the existing tower is about 42 feet tall and the planned replacement would be about 53 feet tall.

Dante Tomassoni, director of corporate affairs at Cirrus Aircraft, said the company depends on Duluth operations for manufacturing, testing and flight training. \"The tower controls everything a pilot needs to do to remain safe. It controls the air traffic so there are no mid air collisions,\" Tomassoni said. He described Cirrus's local operations and said the manufacturer supports the replacement to protect jobs and safety.

Committee members asked about the source and stability of the federal funding. Papko said the federal share is expected from the airport terminal program within the bipartisan infrastructure law and that Duluth applied for the full federal amount; he said the federal funding is discretionary but that the airport expects the fifth-year allocation to be announced in the fall. He also said the airport has the required state-matching funds identified and that, without the state match, some federal funds could not be put to work.

The committee did not vote on House File 198; members laid the bill over for further consideration and to allow authors and testifiers to return to other committee obligations.","Lawmakers heard testimony supporting House File 198 to provide a $14 million state match to leverage federal funds to replace the aging air traffic control tower at Duluth International Airport; proponents said the project supports regional service and local jobs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee weighs moving blackout-plate revenue to highway fund; DVS warns transfer would create operating shortfall

Committee hears proposal to up‑scope pavement projects for longer life; supporters say small upcharges yield big life‑cycle savings

Bill would let transit agencies use third-party CDL testers to speed hiring; supporters say it reduces weeks-long delays

Committee debates higher EV registration fee and a proposed climate offset amendment; amendment fails 8-7

Minnesota lawmakers hear pitch for state match to replace 70-year-old Duluth air traffic tower