Minn. House approves $transportation omnibus after close votes on EV fee and greenhouse-gas rules

St. Paul — The Minnesota House passed its transportation omnibus, House File 2438, after several hours of debate and multiple floor amendments, approving the bill as amended by a final roll call of 85 yeas to 49 nays.

The bill funds roads, bridges and multiple transit programs while reallocating existing transportation money rather than adding new general-fund dollars, the bill’s author, Representative Dave Kosnick, said. “This transportation bill … makes our transportation system smarter, safer and more sustainable,” Kosnick said on the House floor while explaining the omnibus.

Supporters said the measure protects certain transit programs and directs money to projects across Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities, including funding for the Duluth air traffic control tower and a large appropriation the bill’s backers said would support the Blatnik Bridge. Opponents repeatedly focused on two elements: a proposed surcharge increase for electric vehicles and a multi-year delay in implementation of the state’s greenhouse-gas/vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) mitigation law passed in 2023.

Representative Igo’s colleagues, including Representative Cagle, emphasized local projects and continuity. “We did have to reduce the appropriation to Greater Minnesota transit, but we were able to come in under the governor’s recommendation,” Cagle said, listing local road,…