HF 1568

1st Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/14/2019 03:55pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; subjecting light rail transit operators to the reckless or
careless driving law; requiring light rail transit safety features study; requiring a
report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections 169.13, subdivisions 1, 2;
473.4056, subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Reckless driving.

(a) A person who drives a motor vehicle new text begin or light rail
transit vehicle new text end while aware of and consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable
risk that the driving may result in harm to another or another's property is guilty of reckless
driving. The risk must be of such a nature and degree that disregard of it constitutes a
significant deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe
in the situation.

(b) A person shall not race any vehicle upon any street or highway of this state. Any
person who willfully compares or contests relative speeds by operating one or more vehicles
is guilty of racing, which constitutes reckless driving, whether or not the speed contested
or compared is in excess of the maximum speed prescribed by law.

(c) A person who violates paragraph (a) or (b) is guilty of a misdemeanor. A person who
violates paragraph (a) or (b) and causes great bodily harm or death to another is guilty of a
gross misdemeanor.

(d) For purposes of this section, "great bodily harm" has the meaning given in section
609.02, subdivision 8.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Careless driving.

new text begin (a) new text end Any person who operates or halts any vehicle upon any
street or highway carelessly or heedlessly in disregard of the rights of others, or in a manner
that endangers or is likely to endanger any property or any person, including the driver or
passengers of the vehicle, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

new text begin (b) Any person who operates or halts a light rail transit vehicle carelessly or heedlessly
in disregard of the rights of others, or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger
any property or any person, including the operator or passengers on the light rail transit
vehicle, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 473.4056, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Minimum standards.

Standards adopted under this section must include, but
are not limited to:

(1) two dedicated spaces for wheelchair users in each car;

(2) seating for a companion adjacent to at least two wheelchair-dedicated spaces; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(3) further specifications that meet or exceed the standards established in the Americans
with Disabilities Act new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (4) a camera that is capable of recording the light rail transit vehicle operator and the
interior of the vehicle in the vicinity of the operator new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies for light rail transit vehicles procured on and after August 1,
2018. This section applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SAFETY FEATURES STUDY.
new text end

new text begin By November 15, 2019, the Metropolitan Council must submit a report on light rail
transit safety features to the members and staff of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over transportation policy and finance. At a minimum, the report must:
new text end

new text begin (1) evaluate additional safety features that are not currently incorporated into design and
specifications of the Southwest light rail transit (green line extension) project, including
review of:
new text end

new text begin (i) equipment and features of light rail transit vehicles; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) infrastructure related to the interaction of light rail transit vehicles with motor vehicles,
nonmotorized traffic, and pedestrians; and
new text end

new text begin (2) based on the evaluation under clause (1), identify changes incorporated into or
proposed for the Southwest light rail transit project.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end