174.70 Public safety radio communications. 

    Subdivision 1.    Authority of commissioner.  The 
 commissioner of transportation may exercise the powers granted 
 in this chapter and in sections 473.891 to 473.905, to plan and 
 implement the communications system as provided in sections 
 473.891 to 473.905. 

    Subd. 2.    Implementation.  In order to facilitate 
 construction of the initial backbone of the communications 
 system described in subdivision 1, the commissioner shall, by 
 purchase, lease, gift, exchange, or other means, obtain sites 
 for the erection of towers and the location of equipment and 
 shall construct buildings and structures needed for the system.  
 The commissioner may negotiate with commercial wireless service 
 providers to obtain sites, towers, and equipment.  
 Notwithstanding sections 161.433, 161.434, 161.45, and 161.46, 
 the commissioner may by agreement allow commercial wireless 
 service providers to install privately owned equipment on 
 state-owned lands, buildings, and other structures under the 
 jurisdiction of the commissioner when it is practical and 
 feasible to do so.  The commissioner shall charge a site use fee 
 for the value of the property or structure made available.  In 
 lieu of a site use fee, the commissioner may make agreements 
 with commercial wireless service providers to place state 
 equipment on privately owned towers and may accept (1) 
 improvements to state-owned public safety communications 
 facilities or real or personal property, or (2) services 
 provided by a commercial wireless service provider. 

    Subd. 3.    Deposit of fees; appropriation.  Fees 
 collected under subdivision 2 must be deposited in the trunk 
 highway fund.  The fees so collected are appropriated to the 
 commissioner to pay for the commissioner's share and state 
 patrol's share of the costs of constructing and maintaining the 
 communication system sites. 

    HIST: 1995 c 195 art 1 s 1; 1999 c 238 art 2 s 31