1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; requiring annual report to legislature on passenger rail 
1.3 	projects;amending Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 174.636.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 174.636, is amended to read:
1.6 	174.636 PASSENGER RAIL; EXERCISE OF POWER GENERAL.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Exercise of powers. (a) The commissioner has all powers necessary 
1.8 	to carry out the duties specified in section 174.632. In the exercise of those powers, the 
1.9 	commissioner may:
1.10 	(1) acquire by purchase, gift, or by eminent domain proceedings as provided by law, 
1.11 	all land and property necessary to preserve future passenger rail corridors or to construct, 
1.12 	maintain, and improve passenger rail corridors;
1.13 	(2) let all necessary contracts as provided by law; and
1.14 	(3) make agreements with and cooperate with any governmental authority or private 
1.15 	entity to carry out statutory duties related to passenger rail.
1.16 	(b) The commissioner shall consult with metropolitan planning organizations and 
1.17 	regional rail authorities in areas where passenger rail corridors are under consideration 
1.18 	to ensure that passenger rail services are integrated with existing rail and transit services 
1.19 	and other transportation facilities to provide as nearly as possible connected, efficient, 
1.20 	and integrated services.
1.21 		Subd. 2.Annual report on passenger rail projects. (a) Annually by February 1, 
1.22 	the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of 
1.23 	the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over transportation 
2.1 	policy and finance concerning the status of passenger rail projects currently in planning, 
2.2 	development, and construction.
2.3 	(b) At a minimum, the report must include, for each passenger rail project:
2.4 	(1) a brief description of the project;
2.5 	(2) a summary of the overall status of the project;
2.6 	(3) a timeline that identifies (i) project phases or components, and (ii) expected and 
2.7 	known dates of commencement and completion of each phase or component;
2.8 	(4) a progress update on specific project phases or components completed since the 
2.9 	last previous submission of a report under this subdivision; and
2.10 	(5) a financial breakdown that identifies expected and known (i) sources of project 
2.11 	funds, and (ii) project expenditures by phase or budget activity.
2.12 	(c) The report must also include a financial summary that identifies, to date:
2.13 	(1) total passenger rail project funding, broken down by source; and
2.14 	(2) total passenger rail project expenditures, broken down by budget activity.
2.15 	(d) Metropolitan planning organizations and regional rail authorities shall provide 
2.16 	assistance and information in a timely manner as requested by the commissioner for 
2.17 	completion of the report.
2.18 	(e) For purposes of this subdivision, "budget activity" includes but is not limited 
2.19 	to environmental analysis, land acquisition, design, engineering, easements, and track 
2.20 	improvement and rehabilitation.