1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; requiring a road deicing study.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. ROAD DEICING STUDY.
 1.5 	(a) The commissioner of transportation must conduct a study to review road 
1.6 	deicing best practices and techniques that maximize deicing effectiveness in lower 
1.7 	temperature ranges, reduce operations costs, reduce use of road salt, and minimize adverse 
1.8 	environmental impacts. At a minimum, the study must include (1) field evaluation of the 
1.9 	feasibility and impacts of brine mixtures that utilize sugar beets to reduce the use of salt, 
1.10 	and (2) a national review of research and studies regarding use of sugar beets.
1.11 	(b) By March 1, 2018, the commissioner must submit a legislative report on the 
1.12 	study, its findings, and any changes in agency practices to the chairs and ranking minority 
1.13 	members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and 
1.14 	finance.

1.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.