Section 1 creates and appropriates money for the suburban connections demonstration project.

Paragraph (a) appropriates an unspecified amount in each fiscal year of the next biennium from the general fund to the Metropolitan Council for assistance to replacement service transit providers for a demonstration project providing service between municipalities in the metropolitan area, excluding cities of the first class (Minneapolis and St. Paul).  The replacement service providers will determine how the money is to be allocated.

Paragraph (b) directs the replacement service providers to identify one or more demonstration projects for assistance and to notify the Metropolitan Council.  Criteria that must be used to evaluate demonstration projects are specified, including job density along a proposed route.

This section is effective July 1, 2015, and applies in the seven metropolitan counties.