HF 732

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 02/09/2015 02:11pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; changing the definition of type III vehicle; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.011, subdivision 71.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.011, subdivision 71, is amended to read:

Subd. 71.

School bus.

(a) "School bus" means a motor vehicle used to transport
pupils to or from a school defined in section 120A.22, or to or from school-related
activities, by the school or a school district, or by someone under an agreement with the
school or a school district. A school bus does not include a motor vehicle transporting
children to or from school for which parents or guardians receive direct compensation
from a school district, a motor coach operating under charter carrier authority, a transit
bus providing services as defined in section 174.22, subdivision 7, or a vehicle otherwise
qualifying as a type III vehicle under paragraph (h), when the vehicle is properly
registered and insured and being driven by an employee or agent of a school district for
nonscheduled or nonregular transportation.

(b) A school bus may be type A, type B, type C, or type D, multifunction school
activity bus, or type III as provided in paragraphs (c) to (h).

(c) A "type A school bus" is a van conversion or bus constructed utilizing a
cutaway front section vehicle with a left-side driver's door. This definition includes two
classifications: type A-I, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than or equal
to 14,500 pounds; and type A-II, with a GVWR greater than 14,500 pounds and less
than or equal to 21,500 pounds.

(d) A "type B school bus" is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance
door is behind the front wheels. This definition includes two classifications: type B-I,
with a GVWR less than or equal to 10,000 pounds; and type B-II, with a GVWR greater
than 10,000 pounds.

(e) A "type C school bus" is constructed utilizing a chassis with a hood and front
fender assembly. The entrance door is behind the front wheels. A "type C school bus" also
includes a cutaway truck chassis or truck chassis with cab, with or without a left side door,
and with a GVWR greater than 21,500 pounds.

(f) A "type D school bus" is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance
door is ahead of the front wheels.

(g) A "multifunction school activity bus" is a school bus that meets the definition
of a multifunction school activity bus in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section
571.3. A vehicle that meets the definition of a type III vehicle is not a multifunction
school activity bus.

(h) A "type III vehicle" is restricted to passenger vehicles and buses having a
maximum manufacturer's rated seating capacity of deleted text begin ten deleted text end new text begin 15 new text end or fewer people, including the
driver, and a gross vehicle weight rating of deleted text begin 10,000 deleted text end new text begin 26,000 new text end pounds or less. A "type III
vehicle" must not be outwardly equipped and identified as a type A, B, C, or D school bus
or type A, B, C, or D Head Start bus. A van or bus converted to a seating capacity of deleted text begin ten deleted text end new text begin
15 new text end or fewer and placed in service on or after August 1, 1999, must have been originally
manufactured to comply with the passenger safety standards.

(i) In this subdivision, "gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified by
the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.