Vehicle miles traveled project assessment criteria requirements amendment provision and electric vehicle and zero-emission bus technology as mitigation activities authorization

SF 291 amends Minnesota's transportation project assessment rules to allow electric vehicle infrastructure and zero-emission bus procurement as valid ways to offset emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) impacts. It requires transportation agencies to assess projects against state greenhouse gas and VMT reduction targets, and if projects exceed these targets, they must use approved mitigation activities like transit expansion or EV infrastructure to offset the impact. The bill specifically authorizes electric vehicle and zero-emission bus technology as eligible mitigation measures under new criteria, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects state and local transportation agencies developing projects that may increase emissions or VMT.