[{"_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",6561966,"mediaKeyId","3285105-a0c1d3cdad35f695e933cc90eb3b46ed","parentId",3285105,"title","Votes at a glance: conference committee adopts memorial designations and multiple transportation policy provisions","audioSeconds",3197,"startMs",666950,"endMs",3864905,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3285105-a0c1d3cdad35f695e933cc90eb3b46ed&start=666&end=3864","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3285105-a0c1d3cdad35f695e933cc90eb3b46ed/thumbnail_666950.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561966/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-conference-committee-adopts-memorial-designations-and-multiple-transportation-policy-provisions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561966-b06b50bf7c4a07770b7db72b393a0927/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394929&Signature=iUB9~Cm3AhCXcbpnrmmTMah7OAwujipKMCsDngmzAF8c6u0736YwcTJF6RzEyFrXyAPJJ3h2faotn5M5J30dlPjO1qoccqVdp1e3ZILRLf2NtTC9x1Gh45kOKFMpskqf9F3YkN0KoyG5YKEs9h1naW6tWI8LpIEZ8ko80uTsi0fIc5qCR9D4dgHMvZ5DXSRbpMDw-FsrEZLlme4prItOKGE8FzBZHYxT8Lrf~FKLbhqfcWSDitduCQgsLR6o4xb-a9lqMr410NfWB5UdA5zRlPbscYzBcEG7MviHgnHUUNd1C7HcySq9m2CmaxlrKWR4RBuUtr-goby5KCCflUEGQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-05-13T19:54:56.043Z","article","The Transportation Conference Committee approved several discrete items by voice vote on May 12, 2025 and set others aside for further work. The items below reflect motions made on the record and voice-vote outcomes recorded in the transcript. Where the transcript did not record roll-call tallies, outcomes are reported as committee voice votes or “motion carries.”

Items approved (voice votes/motion carries):
- Officer Jason B. Meyer Memorial Highway (Senate section; motion moved by Senator Jasinski) — Motion carries.
- Elmstrand/Finseth memorial bridge in Burnsville (Senate side; motion moved by Senator Carlson) — Motion carries.
- Carrie Dietzick Memorial Bridge (Tenth Avenue bridge; motion moved by Senator Clark) — Motion carries.
- Sergeant Joshua A. Schmidt Memorial Highway (House language based on House File 854; motion moved by Representative Kosnick) — Motion carries.
- A collection of 10 Senate-only policy provisions on a conference-side sheet (moved by Senator Johnson Stewart) including: trunk highway turnback, 60-day temporary out-of-state vehicle permit, technical definitions (intersection, flashing yellow lights), evidence of name-change technical fix, driver's license revocation clarifications, authority for coordinated unmanned aircraft events (adopt house effective date for attestation), and extension of a reporting effective date — Motion carries after discussion and limited removals.
- A set of same-and-similar items was adopted, with an instruction that staff incorporate house language in certain places (moved by Senator Johnson Stewart) — Motion carries.
- Portions of the Senate policy offer that were not pulled (excluding R84 and R121 lines and the e-bike line) were adopted as modified; the work-zone safety lines were retained and adopted with a delayed effective date — Motion carries.

Items pulled or deferred (no final adoption on May 12):
- Electric-assisted bicycle rebate (A43 amendment) — Discussion occurred; an oral amendment to lower the rebate was proposed and later withdrawn; Senator Johnson Stewart withdrew her motion and the matter was set aside for further work.
- Deputy-registrar reimbursement / open appropriation (part of Senate Offer #2 / A34) — Committee removed that line from the offer for further discussion and asked staff and agency representatives to propose alternative appropriation structures.
- New license plates upon transfer (R84) — Pulled for fiscal concern; cost estimate provided to committee and the item will be revisited.

Why it matters: the list above includes memorial highway and bridge designations that the committee added to the side-by-side draft, multiple technical and policy provisions that change administrative deadlines or definitions, and a set of deferred items that affect program design or the state fiscal framework. The committee repeatedly used voice votes and adopted many technical provisions while setting more complex fiscal and programmatic matters aside for further work.

Transcript note: the committee frequently recorded \"motion carries\" or voice votes without roll-call tallies; the article reports outcomes as recorded on the transcript rather than numbered tallies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Conference Committee on H.F. 2438 - Transportation Omnibus - 05/13/25","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved numerous largely noncontroversial memorial designations and policy provisions by voice vote; several items were set aside for further work (e-bike rebate, deputy-registrar reimbursement, license-plate transfer).","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},6561970,"MnDOT to update cost-participation policy after stakeholder talks; report due Feb. 1, 2026",1028,4591585,5620239,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3285105-a0c1d3cdad35f695e933cc90eb3b46ed&start=4591&end=5620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3285105-a0c1d3cdad35f695e933cc90eb3b46ed/thumbnail_4591585.jpg","/articles/6561970/Minnesota/MnDOT-to-update-cost-participation-policy-after-stakeholder-talks-report-due-Feb-1-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561970-2c55657f121781d98325623b97f7e660/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394929&Signature=iLPsCfR4Sf0s982XhHDpvAkSPK~OfwIxRPI7MItIjGdRyH~3b2iWLcQ4Z9gUjOu13UMzflRJD7z0MCPPSCLCAbcMETA6bn645W39~AURX-GMHWrZuV1ZuuVGeO3xBaMpTn59yi5rzOZvrb3JkJYS346cHtNwfjrH1uEcQQwGBLsCLtFdtoG5xak-91E9XkZxT52esvnu8vlgXfG7qBB-sFL5zwZQzbGX81giqRICkujde3cUcphVdpEmMilGwEuVNAPRKNRvx96NxYuVLxBuasT06Aw1lsg2ofSHkes~drvaLWIxbT0FXkTTJ7LHI4zV3ilEEUYuJyNwQObLx~ytDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Transportation Conference Committee left in place senate language directing the Minnesota Department of Transportation to update its cost-participation policy for trunk-highway projects and to report back to the legislature by Feb. 1, 2026.

Senator Karin Jasinski — who has carried similar measures in past sessions — said the change responds to persistent concerns from cities, counties and townships that MnDOT’s long-standing, one-size-fits-all cost-share approach can impose disproportionate burdens on local governments. Testimony from city and county groups echoed that concern: Metro Cities, the League of Minnesota Cities, the Minnesota Association of Counties and the Minnesota Association of Townships urged a policy that considers a community’s ability to pay and regional context.

Speakers described a range of problems: municipal state-aid dollars diverted to trunk-highway cost participation, cooperative-construction agreements that arrive late in local capital planning, and projects where the community absorbs a large share of costs for improvements that mostly serve regional through traffic. Local engineers and city officials said those obligations can force delays to local maintenance or pressure property taxes.

MnDOT testified that it is currently conducting a stakeholder working group and expects to complete policy updates and provide a report by Feb. 1, 2026; department leaders said the work will consider statutory constraints and may identify potential statutory changes, including approaches to relocating locally owned utilities.

The committee did not adopt a statutory limit on local cost-sharing during the hearing but asked MnDOT to keep legislators apprised of progress. Local-government witnesses asked legislators to be prepared to pursue statutory fixes next session if MnDOT’s report does not sufficiently address their concerns.

Next steps: MnDOT will continue stakeholder discussions, finalize a policy update and submit a Feb. 1, 2026 report to the legislature; legislators signaled they may pursue statutory changes if the report falls short.","The conference committee retained a provision directing MnDOT to update its local cost-participation policy in consultation with stakeholders and report to the legislature by Feb. 1, 2026; city, county and township representatives testified about disproportionate local burdens.",{"_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},6561975,"Committee adopts work-zone safety training for driver education, effective 2027",684,3081069,3765220,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3285105-a0c1d3cdad35f695e933cc90eb3b46ed&start=3081&end=3765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3285105-a0c1d3cdad35f695e933cc90eb3b46ed/thumbnail_3081069.jpg","/articles/6561975/Minnesota/Committee-adopts-work-zone-safety-training-for-driver-education-effective-2027","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561975-90607b017183b3c6391406dbc17d3722/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394929&Signature=fdPK~aTncRFy3lUVdLhHc~mg~hCAoIISn3-bre2yQ3FQgQ4YbHkEilCoZzJPCbGFvt3OOyLgrvOcA3Q6~PZyvzNzRlzUQkbzLs-kTIUQ9csjy~xoOoODnqlnSDxPCawVTj6nqxsK6qqGFnT48srLTkFxCodSyVTjDqPuydQYTGP89hb4h0jf9KRsdELK2W~mcfjGWIGeYu4kuydx-aF2YF~rm3N~1QtasoD0Xm2xOJQAlR3Eitjk14ksw-f~zEQDjUx7m~m9KL86BM0I8VPkcUWcJh3ADLTqMQkhY~l3Bbqg5i1qp2qJO6ekHYgvPWoSofxeP3garoI9RDAhAt06pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Transportation Conference Committee adopted a senate-only provision requiring vehicle work-zone safety training be incorporated into Minnesota’s driver education curriculum and into the driver's license examination, with an effective date for exams on or after Jan. 1, 2027.

Senator Johnson Stewart, who carried the senate language, described the provision as a way to make construction work zones safer for both workers and drivers. Testimony before the committee included personal accounts from people who work behind construction barricades and data advocates cited about the scope of the problem: one witness said Minnesota recorded 49 work-zone deaths and 3,682 injuries, and that the state's work-zone fatality rate is above the national average.

Construction-trades and industry witnesses urged the committee to adopt the measure. Tom Dicklage of the Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council said work-zone crashes are a “matter of life and death” for workers; Laura Ziegler of the Associated General Contractors and Brian McDaniel of the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association likewise urged adoption and highlighted the mental-health and safety impacts of highway construction.

Committee counsel specified the narrow statutory lines the committee adopted: rather than adopting an entire statutory section wholesale, the conference committee adopted the specific lines in the senate language that add work-zone safety to what must be taught on driver examinations and accepted a delayed effective date to allow incorporation into the driver's manual and curriculum updates. Staff said the effective date after the required rule- and curriculum-updates will be Jan. 1, 2027; the motion carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: lawmakers and contractors said driver education is a way to reduce dangerous driving behaviors in work zones and to protect construction workers. Senator Johnson Stewart, a former road-worker herself, described firsthand observations of safety risks near paving and concrete operations.

Next steps: MnDOT and the driver-examining authority will incorporate work-zone material into the driver's manual and driver-education curricula ahead of the 2027 effective date.","The conference committee adopted language requiring work-zone safety be taught in driver education and added to the driver's license exam; the requirement will apply to exams on or after Jan. 1, 2027.",{"_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},6561980,"Committee pulls deputy-registrar reimbursement open appropriation for more work",347,1408715,1755835,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3285105-a0c1d3cdad35f695e933cc90eb3b46ed&start=1408&end=1755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3285105-a0c1d3cdad35f695e933cc90eb3b46ed/thumbnail_1408715.jpg","/articles/6561980/Minnesota/Committee-pulls-deputy-registrar-reimbursement-open-appropriation-for-more-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561980-9fe9dd0562e2201454280b2d624db73b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394929&Signature=aes9cu50IXvEKc5VoiFeMdg5mmFbP2eS-OThv62Pz3WfK~F~niVtgAmQDaUHAPGVXiQACTK8M-5VTjK3e65mhtitnz2ncqxtoGL13J6R3lOofYsxo5fEEGtWiGTCyc0GdBXwVyAzlYSyuKMxWQr55wkgEgmPRd02NxUBlyhaE2N-CXGBkoKonR~lmBdXPvlN13Mw2gEAXSpP-Szo-7FT0mTqY3AUG9EKtjJkXwz4uxvTk96O5ddblByNlVuigo3N3ojENhnZZEY7-1BENbeATxz-by1EbSxYbJTGQrgw8soun7Uru4P23EVoCb9I1tXX0ElfTxZVVFPeuZBD80dPBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Conference committee members debated proposed statutory language to authorize recurring reimbursements to deputy registrars and driver's license agents for previously unpaid or ‘no-fee’ transactions but removed the item from the package for additional review.

Staff described the A34 amendment as creating a statutory (open) appropriation for reimbursement payments estimated at about $2,189,000 per year from the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) operating account. Department staff and the deputy commissioner said the intent was to reimburse deputy registrars and driver's license agents for work they currently perform without explicit statutory compensation.

Committee members voiced two main concerns. Some lawmakers opposed converting the payment into an ongoing open appropriation—an account that automatically pays as claims are submitted—citing fiscal control and the risk of an unbounded liability. Others, including members representing rural areas, emphasized that deputy registrars and private agents complete necessary in-person transactions that cannot be finished online and should be compensated.

MnDOT and DVS officials said the transactions are tracked in the Mindrive system and that DVS had estimated the annual amount. Deputy Commissioner Cassandra O'Hearn and Director Pong Zhang explained the proposal was intended to mirror existing fee reconciliation processes and to prevent “first-come, first-served” mechanics that would leave unpaid vendors.

Because committee members could not resolve how to structure the appropriation (open vs. fixed biennial amount, temporary vs. ongoing), the committee removed the deputy-registrar reimbursement line from the Senate offer for further work. Members asked DVS and authors to develop alternatives — for example, a sunset, a biennial appropriation, or clearer reconciliation processes — and returned the item to a smaller subgroup of legislators for follow-up.

Quotes: \"This is an attempt to to try to make them whole,\" Director Pong Zhang said of deputy registrars. Representative Olson noted the work is documented and reimbursable; Representative Cagle and others pressed for guardrails against a runaway open appropriation.

Next steps: committee staff and agency representatives will continue to refine reimbursement language and examine fiscal controls and sunset options before returning to the committee.","Committee debated a staff amendment to authorize recurring reimbursements to deputy registrars/drivers license agents estimated at $2,189,000 per year but removed the item from immediate adoption pending further discussion of an open appropriation mechanism.",{"_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},6561984,"Conference committee discusses major changes to e-bike rebate but withdraws immediate action",4500,29971,4530910,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3285105-a0c1d3cdad35f695e933cc90eb3b46ed&start=29&end=4530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3285105-a0c1d3cdad35f695e933cc90eb3b46ed/thumbnail_29971.jpg","/articles/6561984/Minnesota/Conference-committee-discusses-major-changes-to-e-bike-rebate-but-withdraws-immediate-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561984-babc59ed8378ef4f59fdd386cd9a3078/orig.mp4?Expires=1775394929&Signature=RVxYLDNCcO7KcHpSbyssSQspZ8MkY0XM~~bm9~Ps9ASGIbWqjfDmcs08eRilbioHM5AQC0rbZvirmpiZjGHaR6gUc2eS7Y5FNgm7N28gnVWfdRy5Phee-nTWbwom6W4eacazwKc5-aW2kyiVHuQkYB6ELLr0HTw~iuRhd5KBVL6jW8c-RFREIpitGjuQ8rr5OGO36LSEq2ykN5SRApF-~xQJsL8Y0ZBS8V4zKjBzD26kBwiha0qBj5IdMo4i36KSkRnLN0xHarWx4u0vcogixsQeWbh6jKth5xx-5MkmMP6XpByJPDvliSewQcnfzrw5BkPSewYN1ZRIi39gUxnzuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A conference committee for Minnesota transportation policy reviewed an amendment (A43) that would significantly alter the electric-assisted bicycle rebate program but did not adopt final language on May 12, 2025.

The A43 amendment would cancel the original appropriation at the end of the fiscal period, change eligibility to make beneficiaries either income-eligible or persons with disabilities (rather than requiring both), convert parts of the program from first-come-first-served to a lottery, and delete a Department of Revenue report requirement tied to the 2024 administration of the program. Counsel described the operative eligibility change as replacing a requirement that recipients both meet an income limit and be a person with a disability with a rule that an eligible individual can satisfy either criterion.

Why it matters: committee members said the program could serve thousands of Minnesotans with modest incomes or disabilities and create new mobility options. Senator Sandra Abler called the proposal “really cool” and said it could serve “over 3,000 individuals.” Committee counsel and staff said roughly $2.5 million remained from a $4 million one-time appropriation and that the amendment was designed to reflect a negotiated position between the House and the Senate.

During floor discussion Representative Kosnick proposed an oral amendment to reduce the rebate cap from $750 to $500 to stretch remaining funds to more recipients. Counsel recited the oral amendment’s text into the record. A lobbyist for the Minnesota Bicycle Alliance explained the $750 figure had been chosen to increase the number of eligible people and noted tradeoffs if the rebate were lowered. Advocates and committee members also raised questions about whether the program should cover new or used bikes and about devices for people with disabilities (such as three-wheeled tricycles) that can cost more.

No final vote occurred on A43. Senator Johnson Stewart ultimately withdrew her motion on A43 and the committee set the e-bike item aside to allow further work on retailer requirements, retail eligibility (new vs. used), the appropriate rebate level for people with disabilities, and related fiscal tradeoffs.

The transcript records additional technical elements in A43: it would include a statutory cancellation of the appropriation effective 06/30/2026, conforming edits worked out with the Department of Revenue, and deletion of a mandated report on administrative issues from the 2024 administration. Committee staff said the language had been negotiated with House chief authors including Representative Ream and with Senator Abler. The committee left open the possibility of a future oral amendment and directed authors and counsel to continue discussions.

Quotes in context: \"I think the House and the Senate have come to really good terms,\" Senator Abler said. Director Pong Zhang of the Driver and Vehicle Services Division described the program mechanics to the committee (counsel and staff provided statutory cross-references). Representative Kosnick proposed lowering the rebate to $500 to increase the number served; the proposal was discussed but not adopted.

Next steps: committee members asked staff and stakeholders to continue work on retailer rules, used-bike eligibility, accommodations for people with disabilities, and the appropriate rebate level so a revised amendment can be returned to the conference committee at a later date.","Lawmakers reviewed an A43 conference amendment that would cancel the original appropriation, change eligibility to income-sensitive or disability-based criteria, and convert the program to a lottery; an oral amendment to lower the rebate amount was proposed and later withdrawn and the committee set the bill aside for further work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: conference committee adopts memorial designations and multiple transportation policy provisions

MnDOT to update cost-participation policy after stakeholder talks; report due Feb. 1, 2026

Committee adopts work-zone safety training for driver education, effective 2027

Committee pulls deputy-registrar reimbursement open appropriation for more work

Conference committee discusses major changes to e-bike rebate but withdraws immediate action