1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; appropriating money for statewide planning and 
1.3 	development of trails for off-road vehicles.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS; DEVELOPING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OFF-ROAD 
1.6 	VEHICLES.
 1.7 	(a) $200,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the off-road vehicle account in the 
1.8 	natural resources fund to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract with a project 
1.9 	administrator to assist the commissioner in planning, designing, and providing a system of 
1.10 	state touring routes for off-road vehicles by identifying sustainable, legal routes suitable 
1.11 	for licensed four-wheel drive vehicles and a system of recreational trails for registered 
1.12 	off-road vehicles.
1.13 	(b) $200,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the off-road vehicle account in the 
1.14 	natural resources fund to the commissioner of natural resources for a contract to prepare a 
1.15 	comprehensive, statewide, strategic master plan for trails for off-road vehicles. At a minimum, 
1.16 	the plan must:
1.17 	(1) identify opportunities to develop new, high-quality, comprehensive trails for off-road 
1.18 	vehicles in a system that serves regional and tourist destinations;
1.19 	(2) enhance connectivity with trails for off-road vehicles, trails and parks for other 
1.20 	off-highway vehicles, and trails and parks for other types of vehicles;
1.21 	(3) provide opportunities for new exposure and economic development in greater 
1.22 	Minnesota;
2.1 	(4) help people connect with the outdoors in a safe and environmentally sustainable 
2.2 	manner;
2.3 	(5) create new and support existing opportunities for social, economic, and cultural 
2.4 	benefits and meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships for users of off-road vehicles 
2.5 	and the communities that host trails for off-road vehicles; and
2.6 	(6) require the commissioner to cooperate with local governments, organizations, and 
2.7 	other interested partners.

2.8 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; REIMBURSING CLAIMS FOR ADDITIONAL NEEDS 
2.9 	FOR FOREST ROADS.
 2.10 	(a) $200,000 in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the off-road vehicle account in the 
2.11 	natural resources fund to the commissioner of natural resources to share the cost by 
2.12 	reimbursing federal, county, and township entities for additional needs on forest roads when 
2.13 	the needs are a result of increased use by off-road vehicles and are attributable to a 
2.14 	border-to-border touring route established by the commissioner. This section does apply to 
2.15 	roads that are operated by a public road authority as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.16 	160.02, subdivision 25. The appropriation is available until expended.
2.17 	(b) To be eligible for reimbursement under this section, the claimant must demonstrate 
2.18 	that:
2.19 	(1) the needs result from additional traffic generated by the border-to-border touring 
2.20 	route; and
2.21 	(2) increased use attributable to a border-to-border touring route has caused at least a 
2.22 	50 percent increase in maintenance costs for forest roads under the claimant's jurisdiction, 
2.23 	based on a ten-year maintenance average.
2.24 	(c) Before reimbursing a claim under this section, the commissioner must consider 
2.25 	whether the claim is consistent with claims made by other entities that administer forest 
2.26 	roads on the touring route, in terms of the amount requested for reimbursement and the 
2.27 	frequency of claims made.
2.28 	(d) The commissioner must review all claims for reimbursement with the Minnesota 
2.29 	Four Wheel Drive Association.