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SF 390

Safe routes to school grant program bond issue and appropriation

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karin Housley and 3 co-sponsors

The bill would fund Safe Routes to School projects by issuing bonds and creating a dedicated appropriation to improve near‑school infrastructure, safety, and related programs.

Authors added Rasmusson; Johnson Stewart
#bonds #transportationandtransportationdepartment
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Bill Summary · SF 390

Summary of SF 390 (2025-2026) – Safe Routes to School Grant Program Bond Issue and Appropriation

Purpose and Intent

SF 390 seeks to create a dedicated funding mechanism to support Safe Routes to School initiatives in Minnesota. The bill targets improvements that increase safe walking and bicycling for students traveling to and from school, with a focus on infrastructure, program administration, and related safety measures. The overarching aim is to improve student safety, promote physical activity, and encourage active transportation as part of school commute options.

Key Provisions

  • Bond Issue Authorization

    • Authorizes a state bonding issuance to raise funds specifically for Safe Routes to School projects.
    • Establishes the total debt authority and the timeline for bond sale and issuance, subject to subsequent appropriations and budgeting processes.

  • Appropriation and Funding Allocation

    • Creates a dedicated appropriation stream for Safe Routes to School programs.
    • Specifies how bond proceeds may be allocated, including eligible project types and potential matching requirements.
    • May include provisions for ongoing funding for administration, program grants, and related activities.

  • Eligible Projects and Activities

    • Infrastructure improvements such as enhanced crosswalks, pedestrian sidewalks, traffic calming measures, and bike lanes near schools.
    • Connectivity enhancements to school routes, signaling, lighting, and safety features.
    • Non-infrastructure components such as education, outreach, and program administration to promote safe walking/biking to school.

  • Administration and Oversight

    • Defines administering agency (likely a state department or agency responsible for capital investments and safe routes programs).
    • Establishes reporting requirements, performance metrics, and accountability provisions to ensure funds are used for intended purposes.

  • Partnerships and Eligibility Criteria

    • May require project applicants to demonstrate need, safety benefits, and community support.
    • Potential eligibility criteria for school districts, local governments, or regional agencies to apply for grants or to receive bond-funded investments.

Who Is Affected

  • Students and Families

    • Direct beneficiaries through safer routes to school and improved access to walking/biking paths.

  • School Districts and Local Governments

    • Eligible recipients for grants or funding for qualifying infrastructure and safety projects near schools.

  • State Agencies

    • Responsible for issuing bonds, administering funding, and reporting on program outcomes.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introductions and Readings

    • Introduced on January 21, 2025; referred to Capital Investment.

  • Committee Action

    • 2025-05-09: Committee report indicates “To pass and re-referred to Finance,” suggesting advancement in the process with a recommendation to move to the Finance committee for potential appropriation consideration.

  • Subsequent Steps

    • If advanced, the bill would proceed to the Finance committee for funding details, followed by potential floor debates, votes, and conference processes as needed.

Notes on Scope and Impact

  • The bill concentrates financial resources on Safe Routes to School initiatives via a bond issuance and a dedicated appropriation.
  • It complements existing transportation and public safety programs by explicitly focusing on near-school infrastructure and safety programs.
  • Details such as the authorized bond amount, repayment terms, project prioritization criteria, and match requirements are typically defined in the bill’s full text or by subsequent fiscal notes and amendments (not included in the provided summary).

If you would like, I can tailor this summary to a specific audience (e.g., policymakers, district leaders, or public stakeholders) or extract any exact figures or deadlines from the bill’s full text as they become available.

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

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