SF 5306

05/13/26  REVISOR  JSK/BH  26-08616      as introduced
  SENATE
  STATE OF MINNESOTA
  NINETY-FOURTH SESSION  S.F. No. 5306
  (SENATE AUTHORS: JOHNSON)
  DATE       D-PG  OFFICIAL STATUS
  05/17/2026    10923 Introduction and first reading
  Referred to Capital Investment
  See HF2484
1.1A bill for an act
1.2relating to capital investment; appropriating money for radar infrastructure grants.
1.3    BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.4Section 1. RADAR INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS.
1.5Subdivision 1. Purpose. The commissioner of transportation, in consultation with the
1.6    commissioner of public safety, shall make grants to political subdivisions of the state,
1.7    including airport authorities and airport commissions, for the acquisition, design, construction,
1.8    and installation of mobile radar infrastructure and equipment to enhance airspace and marine
1.9    surveillance. Projects supported by this appropriation shall provide statewide surveillance
1.10   of low altitude airspace and navigable waterways, detect and track intruding aircraft and
1.11   vessels, assist with drone traffic management and emergency response, and enhance collision
1.12   and obstruction avoidance for publicly owned airports and public waters.
1.13Subd. 2. Grants. (a) Grants under this section may be used for the following projects:
1.14(1) procurement and installation of radar sensors capable of detecting and tracking small,
1.15   low radar cross section targets to track aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and vessels across
1.16   Minnesota's airspace and waterways;
1.17(2) construction of radar towers; acquisition or leasing of temporary or mobile towers,
1.18   shelters, and power infrastructure; installation of communications networks such as fiber
1.19   optic lines or secure wireless links to allow real time remote display, alerting, and control;
1.20(3) integration with existing surveillance and air traffic systems, including automatic
1.21   identification system (AIS) and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data,
Section 1.  1
 05/13/26  REVISOR  JSK/BH  26-08616  as introduced
2.1  and installation of ancillary equipment, including cameras, forward looking infrared devices,
2.2  and other sensors for consolidated situational awareness; and
2.3      (4) site acquisition and improvement for radar installations, including grading,
2.4  foundations, and access roads.
2.5      (b) Money from a grant may also be used for training and technical support necessary
2.6  to commission and operate the capital project.
2.7      Subd. 3. Appropriation. $....... in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund
2.8  to the commissioner of transportation for the purposes of this section. This appropriation
2.9  is available until June 30, 2029.
2.10     EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.
 Section 1.  2