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Conference committee discusses major changes to e-bike rebate but withdraws immediate action
Summary
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criteria, and convert the program to a lottery; an oral amendment to lower the rebate amount was proposed and later withdrawn and the committee set the bill aside for further work.
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.
