Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.
(b) "Applicable rail carrier" means a railroad company that is subject to an assessment under section 219.015, subdivision 2.
(c) "Hazardous substance" has the meaning given in section 115B.02, subdivision 8.
(d) "Oil" has the meaning given in section 115E.01, subdivision 8.
(e) "Pipeline company" means any individual, partnership, association, or public or private corporation who owns and operates pipeline facilities and is required to show specific preparedness under section 115E.03, subdivision 2.
Subd. 2. Railroad and pipeline safety account. (a) A railroad and pipeline safety account is created in the special revenue fund. The account consists of funds collected under subdivision 4 and funds donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the account.
(b) $104,000 is annually appropriated from the railroad and pipeline safety account to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency for environmental protection activities related to railroad discharge preparedness under chapter 115E.
(c) $600,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $600,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the railroad and pipeline safety account to the commissioner of transportation for improving safety at railroad grade crossings.
(d) Following the appropriation in paragraphs (b) and (c), the remaining money in the account is annually appropriated to the commissioner of public safety for the purposes specified in subdivision 3.
Subd. 3. Allocation of funds. (a) Subject to funding appropriated for this subdivision, the commissioner shall provide funds for training and response preparedness related to (1) derailments, discharge incidents, or spills involving trains carrying oil or other hazardous substances, and (2) pipeline discharge incidents or spills involving oil or other hazardous substances.
(b) The commissioner shall allocate available funds as follows:
(1) $100,000 annually for emergency response teams; and
(2) the remaining amount to the Board of Firefighter Training and Education under section 299N.02 and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
(c) Prior to making allocations under paragraph (b), the commissioner shall consult with the Fire Service Advisory Committee under section 299F.012, subdivision 2.
(d) The commissioner and the entities identified in paragraph (b), clause (2), shall prioritize uses of funds based on:
(1) firefighter training needs;
(2) community risk from discharge incidents or spills;
(3) geographic balance;
(4) risks to the general public; and
(5) recommendations of the Fire Service Advisory Committee.
(e) The following are permissible uses of funds provided under this subdivision:
(1) training costs, which may include, but are not limited to, training curriculum, trainers, trainee overtime salary, other personnel overtime salary, and tuition;
(2) costs of gear and equipment related to hazardous materials readiness, response, and management, which may include, but are not limited to, original purchase, maintenance, and replacement;
(3) supplies related to the uses under clauses (1) and (2); and
(4) emergency preparedness planning and coordination.
(f) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), clause (2), from funds in the railroad and pipeline safety account provided for the purposes under this subdivision, the commissioner may retain a balance in the account for budgeting in subsequent fiscal years.
Subd. 4. Assessments. (a) The commissioner of public safety shall annually assess $2,500,000 to railroad and pipeline companies based on the formula specified in paragraph (b). The commissioner shall deposit funds collected under this subdivision in the railroad and pipeline safety account under subdivision 2.
(b) The assessment for each railroad is 50 percent of the total annual assessment amount, divided in equal proportion between applicable rail carriers based on route miles operated in Minnesota. The assessment for each pipeline company is 50 percent of the total annual assessment amount, divided in equal proportion between companies based on the yearly aggregate gallons of oil and hazardous substance transported by pipeline in Minnesota.
(c) The assessments under this subdivision expire July 1, 2017.
History:2014 c 312 art 10 s 9; 2017 c 95 art 3 s 10; 1Sp2021 c 5 art 4 s 104