https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/Recent content in Chapter 398A — Organization of Authority on MinnesotaLawyer.comHugoen-ushttps://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.01/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.01/This section defines the key terms used in the Regional Railroad Authorities Act. An ‘authority’ is a regional railroad authority organized as a political subdivision. A ‘project’ means any railroad facilities being built, improved, or refinanced by the authority, including land, buildings, equipment, and rolling stock.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.02/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.02/The purpose of this law is to let one or more local governments, with state and federal help, preserve and improve local rail service for farming, industry, and passenger travel. It also allows preserving abandoned rail lines for future transportation uses.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.03/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.03/One or more counties can create a regional railroad authority by passing a resolution. Cities and towns can request their county create one, and if the county does not act within 90 days, the municipalities can do it themselves. The authority must have at least five commissioners, hold public hearings, and file with the secretary of state to incorporate.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.04/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.04/A regional railroad authority has broad powers including buying and selling property, building and operating railroads, using eminent domain, levying property taxes (up to 0.04835% of market value), issuing bonds, and entering contracts. It can also develop bus rapid transit in the seven-county metro area. Voters can petition to put the taxing power to a public vote.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.05/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.05/The property and income of a regional railroad authority are exempt from all taxes. However, if the authority’s property is used or leased for purposes other than railroad operations, the normal property tax rules apply to that use.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.06/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.06/Counties and other local governments within a regional railroad authority’s area can support the authority in several ways. They can lend or donate money, levy taxes and issue bonds to fund the authority, enter joint agreements, build public improvements near authority property, and sell or lease property to the authority.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.07/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.07/A regional railroad authority can issue bonds to fund its projects, pay operating expenses, or refund existing debt. Bonds are paid only from the authority’s revenues and property, not from the state or other local governments. The bonds can be secured by revenue, property mortgages, grants, or tax levies. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies may invest in these bonds.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.08/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.08/People who previously worked for a railroad whose property is acquired by a regional railroad authority get hiring priority with the new operator. Their priority is based on how long they worked for the original railroad.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.09/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.09/This law should be read broadly to carry out its purpose. All powers granted are to be interpreted generously. If this chapter conflicts with any other law or city charter, this chapter wins.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.10/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-398a/398a.10/A county regional railroad authority may not pay more than 10% of the capital costs of a light rail or commuter rail project. It may not pay any operating or maintenance costs for these projects. This rule applies only to counties that have imposed the metropolitan transportation sales tax.