Minn. Stat. § 174.35: LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT.

The commissioner of transportation may exercise the powers granted in this chapter and chapter 473, as necessary, to plan, design, acquire, construct, and equip light rail transit facilities in the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2. The commissioner shall not spend state funds to study light rail transit unless the funds are appropriated in legislation that identifies the route, including the origin and destination.