[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6342507,"mediaKeyId","2254612-df218e3d1f6b8a22840b4db7bdcd2029","parentId",2254612,"title","Committee hears $10 million-per-year traffic-calming grant proposal for first-class cities; bill laid on table","audioSeconds",2591,"startMs",1814000,"endMs",4405000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254612-df218e3d1f6b8a22840b4db7bdcd2029&start=1814&end=4405","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254612-df218e3d1f6b8a22840b4db7bdcd2029/thumbnail_1814000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6342507/Minnesota/Committee-hears-10-million-per-year-traffic-calming-grant-proposal-for-first-class-cities-bill-laid-on-table","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342507-1b9ef867516f3aaaf99c52c94e24dbef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952710&Signature=gLJ4OEgDGPOecHlyg3gh-0cLQ9A-ImQ88AMg6H~8YqbLX5zS5xtt7zLNEFN2PZeZerJ7lY4LXA2Wx9LqxfAfmGbBDmFE5XZRusaIH64va4wULCzd9MV390eHDjvc9QSdv-gHL2IP8YguujjRACpRUrnDDf58AXrMdl-tSgQMQyXMwhGPU-WcuFz0vk4P5VVs6PoeSY-xpJl5o~uwvE8xi~VAiLNs5GciDqXUeIS7Wbds7fjFjZywbuxVnZoU37i1qq8597nPjM1r-k8k4wpNK5GbkU69G7godCx65ZBUIOELNiEYUQtSgScBvWvNsYEkPYtzLnXv3pFQXyaVZnlpWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Senate Media Services","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","Senate File 10901, a proposal to provide $10 million per year in fiscal 2026 and 2027 for grants to cities of the first class for traffic-calming infrastructure and related safety projects, drew extended testimony and questions about roadway safety, emergency response and program flexibility before the committee laid the bill on the table for possible inclusion in future finance legislation.

Senator Johnson Stewart described the bill as a response to municipal funding shortfalls for local safety work and traffic calming. Randy Newton, Saint Paul’s city traffic engineer, told the committee Saint Paul has seen 74 fatal and 282 serious injury crashes over the last five years and noted a 90 percent increase in fatal crashes since before the pandemic. “These are life-altering crashes,” Newton said, and he urged funding to accelerate safety improvements he said could not be completed at current spending rates.

Ethan Foley, Vision Zero program coordinator for Minneapolis, described site-specific traffic-calming treatments and the city’s process for coordinating with emergency services. He said Minneapolis requires proactive review of calming measures by the fire chief and that some devices — for example, speed cushions — are designed to allow emergency vehicles with wider wheelbases to pass without delay. “Those speed humps can work on a street where the fire truck...that might be the last block that they're going to a house on. So the change...doesn't impact overall response time very much at all,” Foley said.

Minneapolis City Council Member Oren (Oreen) Chowdhury testified in support and urged the committee to fund the backlog of neighborhood projects; she said Minneapolis has more than 1,400 eligible neighborhood applications and an estimated $20 million is required to address them. Council testimony and city traffic engineers disagreed on exact phrasing of the bill’s appropriation: the bill sponsor described $10 million per year in 2026 and 2027 while other speakers referred to $20 million in total — an inconsistency the committee discussed during floor-level messaging and in an amendment conversation.

Committee members asked detailed questions about emergency-response impacts and whether calming devices would slow first responders. Foley and Newton said treatments are selected case-by-case in coordination with fire, police and EMS and noted design options (speed cushions, roundabouts) intended to preserve emergency access. Senator Farnsworth and others raised recruitment and staffing trends in law enforcement as a contributor to rising road-safety problems; several senators noted the complex interplay of engineering, enforcement, education and emergency response.

Senator Nelson circulated an A1 amendment to broaden allowable uses of the grants so cities of the first class could apply funds more flexibly for road, bridge or traffic-safety work rather than restricting dollars solely to traffic-calming devices. The sponsor and chair expressed willingness to continue that conversation; Senator Nelson withdrew the amendment during the hearing to allow more negotiation.

At the end of the hearing the committee laid Senate File 10901 on the table for further consideration and possible inclusion in finance work. The transcript records no roll-call tally for the tabling motion.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Transportation - 02/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senate File 10901 would create competitive grants for cities of the first class to fund traffic calming and related safety work; committee testimony emphasized rising fatal and serious injury crashes, Vision Zero goals, and emergency-response coordination; the bill was laid on the table for further consideration.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342511,"Committee hears request to restore annual state funding for 494 Corridor Commission commuter services",519,1265000,1784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254612-df218e3d1f6b8a22840b4db7bdcd2029&start=1265&end=1784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254612-df218e3d1f6b8a22840b4db7bdcd2029/thumbnail_1265000.jpg","/articles/6342511/Minnesota/Committee-hears-request-to-restore-annual-state-funding-for-494-Corridor-Commission-commuter-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342511-5faaaf2bb5416ce3e9fff7db9c71b9a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952710&Signature=gR1xMzvGAw0l6~84aZIeQfhOzHzv5Tr6l4TKm40ZtqNtNL2LcAqPpvCxu8AoW0p8oOv8hLbz~NPYRtwU3Lk0PWwbZjTpScE8tFEsWdu9erELAa8zd09eMXloVtgqO3xS2TJO9KoIL4CJ4NpQ7FsVj~22mSxtuy3X7uA0bPCxrmSwKRllCW3OdQBpcUSfqJyh~343GNXGi~FXZYkJl~t3xN4nT9mMhOv98jpRTgaxonRxQowvQdNTSNWVTnHQGeG7SP7ndjdIS8DciSKZHm7aBLFefN1dggQNtZ85KobT~1p7MNzOa7sRews9Cy1sIR4RpOhaiFt6te2YHVNMYRu5-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 1001, which would provide $300,000 per year to the 494 Corridor Commission and its Commuter Services program, was presented to the Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee on Feb. 10 and laid on the table for possible inclusion in future finance discussions.

Senator Johnson Stewart said the 494 Corridor Commission is a joint powers organization of Bloomington, Richfield, Edina, Eden Prairie and Minnetonka that works to reduce congestion on the most-congested stretch of Highway 494 and to limit cut-through traffic on local streets. Melissa Madison, executive director of the 494 Corridor Commission and Commuter Services, said the organization works with about 1,200 employers and converts roughly 5,500 drive-alone commuters each year into alternative commute modes. She told the committee the program estimates about 56 million vehicle miles are avoided annually as a result of their outreach, translating to about 23,000 metric tons of CO2 avoided.

Madison described Commuter Services' employer-focused assistance: matching carpool partners, helping start vanpools, providing customized transit itineraries and two free passes to trial transit options, bicycle-commuting resources, and telework program support. She said the program is largely funded by federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grants that require local match; the five member cities have struggled to provide the required local match and the commission has received intermittent legislative support in prior years.

Senator Johnson Stewart said he would like a more stable funding source for TMOs (transportation management organizations) and suggested lawmakers keep the bill available for future finance negotiations. The committee placed Senate File 1001 on the table for possible inclusion in a future financing bill; no roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript.

","Senate File 1001 seeks $300,000 per year for the 494 Corridor Commission to support employer outreach and commute alternatives; the committee laid the bill on the table for possible inclusion in future finance legislation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342516,"Committee backs bill allowing permanent medical window-tint prescriptions without biennial renewal",698,557000,1255000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254612-df218e3d1f6b8a22840b4db7bdcd2029&start=557&end=1255","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254612-df218e3d1f6b8a22840b4db7bdcd2029/thumbnail_557000.jpg","/articles/6342516/Minnesota/Committee-backs-bill-allowing-permanent-medical-window-tint-prescriptions-without-biennial-renewal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342516-8bf63c4711d15142d594b74cdbb29ba7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952710&Signature=R1na64498nIMiJrw3LOIpALTWWTXUroO1bpJe2xs0LcFUO3rNFniecCEhO-lhkrYo2U876V9FLodTp9IN8uWlp-yTs8uqfngzv2wU~mgqijqFlYsX3TETNH9RS9keiwjLPWAUAnSFQiXcD9H7oMOHRkUevcVx~4mG3tI1Tz9NhNQvcTHQ7UfZJTvFoQlZHjXdLf6SOWnJIRqcd00G6rTC0h~EtMizDMh2ToTMkjEITsS6plOYNz2ErYZudeOXwZrc8Yd-7FjNTLBfRP0vxE9-LH2nfodnsLvGjVFlN2hEP0Fh-kDt3HdyacXQrtzCNxE-2so12GBq7vDKBArYmvCpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee on Feb. 10 approved Senate File 1075 and sent it to the Senate floor after testimony that the bill would let physicians mark window-tint prescriptions as permanent for patients with lasting light-sensitivity conditions.

Senator Howe told the committee current law requires drivers with medical exemptions for window tint to reissue a physician's slip every two years due to a statutory change in 2008; the bill would permit a physician to designate the condition as permanent so the patient would not need biennial renewal. Retired state trooper David Sutherland recounted his wife's experience with a permanent brain injury and related light sensitivity, saying her doctor prescribed window tint, and later the couple learned the statutory requirement for renewal. “At this time, I contacted Senator Howell on the situation and recommended that 169.71 be amended to when a doctor or physician indicates medical condition is permanent, that that prescription is for lifetime,” Sutherland testified.

Committee members discussed practical enforcement and identification. Senator Farnsworth asked whether a visible marker could prevent repeated traffic stops; Sutherland suggested adding a notation to vehicle registration that a permanent tint exists, similar to a license restriction. The sponsor said the idea was worth pursuing but could trigger a fiscal note and suggested keeping the bill moving and returning later to consider registry changes.

Senator Carlson and others offered clinical examples — including porphyria and severe light sensitivity — supporting permanent exemptions. Questions also touched on enforcement practice changes adopted in recent years and whether officers can stop vehicles solely for expired tabs or tint enforcement.

Senator Howe moved that Senate File 1075 be passed and re-referred to the Senate floor; the motion carried on a voice vote. The transcript records no roll-call tally. Committee discussion produced no statutory text changes in the hearing; the committee did not finalize any registry amendment during the hearing and deferred that idea for potential later drafting and fiscal analysis.

","Senate File 1075 would let physicians designate window-tint prescriptions as permanent so patients with chronic light-sensitivity would not need to renew every two years; the measure passed the Transportation Committee and will go to the Senate floor.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342521,"Senate committee advances bill to let insurers and salvage yards seek vehicle titles when owners cannot be located",178,387000,565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254612-df218e3d1f6b8a22840b4db7bdcd2029&start=387&end=565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254612-df218e3d1f6b8a22840b4db7bdcd2029/thumbnail_387000.jpg","/articles/6342521/Minnesota/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-let-insurers-and-salvage-yards-seek-vehicle-titles-when-owners-cannot-be-located","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342521-f5b537ed332bf3cac24d3c213a3e15bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770952710&Signature=GGpT5eOojWzHQfy6aSTSKNemXwNY~qeuHLQMtGaKK1zfc5Pn2lHlDLDAJtAjlTWaUtScDCgnTQOlKA2ugXYZyyfW08CEouiwJ5mGL4Nv00lL3Hq5OXOwC1gTimKMp9T5z5PeCjCK0hHpCDbKITOWu2U3KTQwFKKxmJSmYsZSCFrebEuPpZGoc497pscRB7JIRx1xxyrlnAo7e~WNv-cR7NXLIe6vRN2zPHCetaSjvj7UCXkPo2~PRRMZxH-szW2oAdgp8iMZbKC1luSAZZg~Th6Ii~1b8vKuMS0O5k3eCaskGf2UAGISy0YxoRn3EsnsZD~aoVmXquPNflyqoEACLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee on Feb. 10 approved an author's amendment and advanced Senate File 950 to the Commerce Committee, a bill intended to let insurance companies and auto-auction businesses obtain titles for certain total-loss or abandoned vehicles when existing title transfer channels are blocked.

Supporters told the committee the change would align Minnesota with many neighboring states and reduce the operational and storage problems that arise when insurers or yards cannot secure a vehicle's title. Todd Hill, a consultant for Copart, testified that Copart operates three Minnesota locations and “there are times when an insurance carrier has brought a vehicle to one of Copart's locations that's been declared a total loss” but “the insurance company is unable to acquire the title.” He said the bill would create a process for insurance carriers and auction operators to file for title through DVS after giving notice to the vehicle owner.

Hill said a second scenario the bill addresses is vehicles left at auction or salvage facilities after a claim is denied or remains unsettled. “...with low value vehicles, those cars are often left at our location and we're unable to sell the car, to move the car, or transfer the car,” Hill testified. He told the committee he knew of no organized opposition and asked for support.

Senator Jasinski moved to approve the bill and re-refer it to the Commerce Committee; the motion carried on a voice vote after committee members adopted an A1 amendment earlier in the hearing. Committee discussion was limited and focused on the amendment, which the bill's author said came from Driver and Vehicle Services and stakeholders, and on the bill's technical nature.

The committee record shows only voice votes; no roll-call tally was provided in the transcript. The committee chair indicated the measure will be forwarded to Commerce as amended for further consideration.

The bill, as described in testimony, would create a state process to obtain a certificate of title in the two circumstances described: when an insurer cannot secure title after paying a claim, and when a vehicle is abandoned at an auction or salvage location after a claim is denied or unsettled. Committee discussion did not include text of the DVS notice requirements or timeframes; proponents said the amendment brought the bill into the order needed with stakeholder agreement.

The committee took no additional decisions beyond referring the bill; it did not provide a printed vote tally in the hearing transcript.

The committee will send the amended Senate File 950 to the Commerce Committee for the next step in the legislative process.

","The Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee approved an amendment and moved Senate File 950 to the Commerce Committee after testimony that the bill would create a title-application process for total-loss and abandoned vehicles similar to rules in neighboring states.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears $10 million-per-year traffic-calming grant proposal for first-class cities; bill laid on table

Committee hears request to restore annual state funding for 494 Corridor Commission commuter services

Committee backs bill allowing permanent medical window-tint prescriptions without biennial renewal

Senate committee advances bill to let insurers and salvage yards seek vehicle titles when owners cannot be located