398A.01 DEFINITIONS. Subdivision 1. Application. The terms defined in this section are used in sections 398A.01 to 398A.08 with the following meanings, respectively. Subd. 2. Authority. “Authority” means a regional railroad authority organized and existing as a political subdivision and local government unit pursuant to section 398A.03. Subd. 3. Bonds. “Bonds” means any bonds, notes, […]
398A.02 PURPOSE. The purpose of the Regional Railroad Authorities Act is to provide a means whereby one or more municipalities, with state and federal aids as may be available, may provide for the preservation and improvement of local rail service for agriculture, industry, or passenger traffic and provide for the preservation of abandoned rail right-of-way […]
398A.03 ORGANIZATION OF AUTHORITY. Subdivision 1. Organization resolution. A regional railroad authority may be organized by resolution or joint resolution adopted by the governing body or bodies of one or more counties. The governing body or bodies of a municipality or municipalities within a county or counties may request by resolution that the county or […]
398A.04 POWERS. Subdivision 1. General. An authority may exercise all the powers necessary or desirable to implement the powers specifically granted in this section, and in exercising the powers is deemed to be performing an essential governmental function and exercising a part of the sovereign power of the state, and is a local government unit […]
398A.05 TAX EXEMPTION. The property and income of an authority shall be exempt from all taxation, except that sections 272.01, subdivision 2, and 273.19 shall apply to any use or lease of the property, other than operation of a railroad line by a railroad company. History: 1980 c 616 s 5
398A.06 MUNICIPAL POWERS. Subdivision 1. General. Any county named in the organization resolution of an authority, and any other municipality situated within a named county, may exercise the powers granted in this section, in aid or in consideration of the exercise of the authority’s powers in ways which are determined by the governing body of […]
398A.07 BONDS. Subdivision 1. Authorization. An authority may from time to time issue bonds, or other obligations however designated, in principal amounts as it shall deem necessary to fulfill its purpose and to exercise any of its powers, to provide funds for operating expenses in anticipation of revenues of the current year, or for capital […]
398A.08 EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE. Individuals who have been previously employed by railroads, any part of whose property or assets are acquired pursuant to Laws 1980, chapter 616, shall have priority, based upon their length of service with that railroad, in employment with a purchasing carrier or other operator of a railroad incorporating that property or those […]
398A.09 CONSTRUCTION. Sections 398A.01 to 398A.08 shall be construed liberally to effectuate their legislative intent and purpose, as complete and independent authority for the performance of every act and thing authorized, and all powers granted shall be broadly interpreted to effectuate this intent and purpose and not as a limitation of powers. In the event […]
398A.10 TRANSIT FUNDING. Subdivision 1. Capital costs. A county regional railroad authority may not contribute more than ten percent of the capital costs of a light rail transit or commuter rail project. This subdivision does not apply to a light rail transit project for which a county regional railroad authority commits to providing an amount […]
