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HF 5083

Bus rapid transit capital improvements funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shelley Buck and 13 co-sponsors

Provides up to $75 million in bonds to fund land, design, and construction of arterial bus rapid transit projects in Minnesota, allocated by set criteria.

Author added Pérez-Vega
#appropriations #bonds #transportationandtransportationdepartment
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Bill Summary · HF 5083

Summary of HF 5083 (Session 2025-2026) — Minnesota

Title

Bus rapid transit capital improvements funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated

Purpose and intent

HF 5083 proposes to Finance and support capital improvements for bus rapid transit (BRT) in Minnesota. The bill authorizes the appropriation of bond proceeds to the Metropolitan Council for property acquisition, design, engineering, and construction related to arterial BRT projects, including associated utilities, demolition, furnishing, and equipment. It also directs the state to issue up to $75 million in bonds to fund these activities.

Key provisions

  • ** appropriation (Section 1, Subd. 1):**

    • Appropriates $75,000,000 from the bond proceeds fund to the Metropolitan Council.
    • Eligible uses include: real property acquisition, predesign, design, engineering, construction, utility relocation, demolition, and furnishing/equipment for arterial BRT projects.
    • Allocation among projects must be based on criteria drawn from:
    • Metropolitan Council’s Transitway Capital Improvement Plan
    • Consistency with the Council’s Transportation Policy Plan
    • Project readiness
    • Current and forecasted ridership
    • Expansion of the BRT system
    • Availability of federal or other matching funding
    • Coordination with other major projects
    • Any additional criteria specified by state law or rule applicable to BRT or bond fund appropriations

  • ** bond issuance (Section 1, Subd. 2):**

    • Requires the Commissioner of Management and Budget to issue bonds up to $75,000,000 to finance the appropriation.
    • Bonds are issued in accordance with Minnesota statutes (Sections 16A.631 to 16A.675) and constitutional provisions (Article XI, Sections 4–7).

  • Effective date:

    • The act becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Who is affected

  • Metropolitan Council and associated BRT projects:

    • Receives funding for land acquisition, planning, design, engineering, and construction of arterial BRT facilities.
    • Must allocate funds per the stated criteria, aligning with regional planning documents and anticipated ridership and funding matches.

  • State financial management/beholders of bond funds:

    • The Minnesota Department of Management and Budget, in coordination with the state’s bond-finance framework, would issue up to $75 million in state bonds to support the appropriation.

  • Public transit riders and communities served by BRT corridors:

    • Potential improvements to arterial BRT corridors, including faster service, improved facilities, and expanded capacity, contingent on project readiness and funding.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Process:

    • First reading and referral to the Committee on Capital Investment (April 27, 2026).
    • Final enactment would authorize issuing bonds and appropriating funds; expenditures would follow the Metropolitan Council’s project selection criteria and the state’s bond-financing processes.

  • Funding timeline:

    • The bill does not specify a project-by-project timeline beyond the appropriation and funding criteria; allocations will be made based on readiness and planning progress, with potential alignment to federal or other matching funds.

Notes

  • The bill focuses on capital expenditures for arterial BRT projects and establishes a competitive/criteria-based framework for allocating the $75 million in bond proceeds.
  • It integrates with Minnesota’s broader transit planning framework and standard bonding procedures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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