WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 1167

Northern Lights Express passenger rail project expenditures prohibited, prior appropriations canceled, and money transferred.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patti Anderson

The bill blocks all spending on the Northern Lights Express, cancels prior appropriations, and reallocates those funds to other uses.

Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Ways and Means
#railroads #transportationandtransportationdepartment
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 1167

Summary of HF 1167 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Heading

Northern Lights Express passenger rail project expenditures prohibited, prior appropriations canceled, and money transferred

Purpose and intent

HF 1167 appears to place restrictions on spending related to the Northern Lights Express (NLE) passenger rail project. Specifically, it prohibits expenditures for the NLE project, cancels prior appropriations tied to it, and transfers money as part of those actions. The bill’s broad framing suggests reallocation of funds away from the NLE project and away from previously authorized spending, though the exact mechanisms (e.g., which funds, how transfers are effected) would be detailed in the bill’s text and any accompanying fiscal notes.

Key provisions (as indicated by the bill title and action history)

  • Prohibition on expenditures for the Northern Lights Express passenger rail project: The bill would bar current and future spending on the NLE project. This could apply to state-appropriated funds, grants, or other forms of financial support managed by the state.
  • Cancellation of prior appropriations: Any funds previously appropriated for the NLE project would be canceled. This means the agencies and programs would no longer have authority to disburse those appropriations for the NLE.
  • Transfer of money: The bill contemplates transferring money, likely from the NLE-related appropriations or funds freed by cancellation, to other uses. The exact destinations and purposes for these transfers would be specified in the bill’s text.

Who and what would be affected

  • State agencies administering transportation projects: Agencies involved in the NLE initiative would be directly affected by the prohibition on expenditures and the need to halt related disbursements.
  • Prior NLE beneficiaries and contractors: Entities contracted to work on or secure services for the NLE could see changes in funding availability and project status.
  • Minnesota state budget and fund balances: The cancellation of appropriations and transfer of funds would impact the state’s budgetary allocations and potentially free up or reallocate dollars for other programs or projects.
  • Transportation policy and planning: Policy discussions surrounding passenger rail in northern Minnesota and related planning efforts would be impacted by the redirecting or cessation of NLE funds.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and first reading: February 19, 2025. The bill was introduced and referred to the Transportation Finance and Policy committee.
  • Committee action: March 13, 2025 — the committee reported a measure “to adopt as amended and re-refer to Ways and Means.” This indicates the bill was amended in committee and moved to the Ways and Means committee for fiscal consideration.
  • Next steps likely: If advanced, HF 1167 would proceed through the Ways and Means committee for fiscal impact analysis, followed by potential floor votes in the Minnesota House, and then consideration by the Senate and possible conference committee, depending on chamber actions.

Fiscal considerations

  • The bill would affect state budgets by canceling existing appropriation authority for NLE and reallocating funds. A detailed fiscal note (if provided) would specify the amount of canceled appropriations, the projected impact on state revenues or deficits, and the reallocation plan for any transferred funds.

If you would like, I can pull the bill’s full text or a fiscal note to provide exact dollar figures, dates for transfers, and specific sections affected.

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

Sign in to ask a question.