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SF 5306

Radar infrastructure grants appropriation

2025-2026 Regular Session

Creates a state grant program to fund radar infrastructure for airports and waterways to detect small aircraft/vessels, integrate with systems, and enhance safety.

Referred to Capital Investment
#appropriations #publicsafetyandpublicsafetydepartment
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Bill Summary · SF 5306

Summary of SF 5306 (2025-2026) — Radar Infrastructure Grants Appropriation (Minnesota)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill would authorize a capital investment grant program to fund radar infrastructure projects statewide.
  • Specifically, it aims to enhance airspace and marine surveillance, detect and track intruding aircraft and vessels, assist with drone traffic management and emergency response, and improve collision and obstruction avoidance for publicly owned airports and public waters.
  • The program is a collaboration between the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Department of Public Safety, with grants provided to political subdivisions, airport authorities, and airport commissions.

Key provisions

  1. Grant program establishment (Section: “RADAR INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS”)

    • Creates a grant program administered by MnDOT, in consultation with the Department of Public Safety.
    • Eligible recipients: political subdivisions of Minnesota, airport authorities, and airport commissions.
    • Purpose: acquire, design, construct, and install mobile radar infrastructure and related equipment.

  2. Eligible projects and activities

    • (a) Eligible project categories include:
      • (1) Procurement and installation of radar sensors capable of detecting and tracking small, low radar cross-section targets (aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and vessels) across Minnesota’s airspace and waterways.
      • (2) Construction of radar towers; acquisition or leasing of temporary or mobile towers, shelters, and power infrastructure; installation of communications networks (e.g., fiber optics or secure wireless links) to enable real-time remote display, alerting, and control.
      • (3) Integration with existing surveillance and air traffic systems, including AIS and ADS-B data; installation of ancillary equipment such as cameras, forward-looking infrared devices, and other sensors for consolidated situational awareness.
      • (4) Site acquisition and improvement for radar installations (grading, foundations, access roads).
    • (b) Grants may also cover training and technical support necessary to commission and operate the projects.

  3. Appropriation and funding timeline

    • An appropriation of a stated amount (placeholder in the text: “$.......”) from the General Fund to MnDOT for FY 2027 to implement the section.
    • The appropriation is available through June 30, 2029.
    • Effective date: the section becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Who is affected

  • Public entities at the state and local levels, including:
    • Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)
    • Minnesota Department of Public Safety
    • Political subdivisions (cities, counties)
    • Airport authorities and airport commissions
  • Potential beneficiaries include airports, seaports, emergency response agencies, and other public safety and transportation agencies that operate or rely on radar or surveillance systems.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced and referred to the Capital Investment committee for consideration.
  • The bill provides a two-year post-enactment window for grant funding availability (through June 30, 2029) following the FY 2027 appropriation.
  • The exact funding amount is not specified in the version provided (a placeholder is shown), so the specific scale of the program will depend on enacted appropriation language.

Potential impact

  • Enhanced surveillance capabilities for low-altitude airspace and navigable waterways.
  • Improved ability to detect small aircraft and vessels (including drones), supporting air traffic management, border/incident monitoring, and emergency response.
  • Strengthened safety and operational efficiency for publicly owned airports and waters through integrated radar with AIS/ADS-B and additional sensors.
  • Expanded infrastructure may create new operating costs related to training, maintenance, and ongoing system integration.

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

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