Minnesota Legislature
HF 1966
as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
Current Version - as introduced
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A bill for an act
relating to transportation; amending definitions of special transportation service
and small vehicle passenger service; governing complaints regarding special
transportation providers; requiring annual report on complaints; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 174.29, subdivision 1; 174.30, subdivisions
4, 9; 221.011, subdivision 49.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
Definition.
For the purpose of sections 174.29 and 174.30 "special
transportation service" means motor vehicle transportation provided on a regular basis
by a public or private entity or person deleted text begin that is designed exclusively or primarily to servedeleted text end
new text begin to new text end individuals who are elderly or disabled and who are unable to use regular means of
transportation but do not require ambulance service, as defined in section 144E.001,
subdivision 3. Special transportation service includes but is not limited to service provided
by specially equipped buses, vans, taxis, and volunteers driving private automobiles.
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.30, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4.
Vehicle and equipment inspectionnew text begin , rulesnew text end ; decalnew text begin ; complaint contact
informationnew text end .
(a) The commissioner shall inspect or provide for the inspection of
vehicles at least annually. In addition to scheduled annual inspections and reinspections
scheduled for the purpose of verifying that deficiencies have been corrected, unannounced
inspections of any vehicle may be conducted.
(b) On determining that a vehicle or vehicle equipment is in a condition that is likely
to cause an accident or breakdown, the commissioner shall require the vehicle to be taken
out of service immediately. The commissioner shall require that vehicles and equipment
not meeting standards be repaired and brought into conformance with the standards
and shall require written evidence of compliance from the operator before allowing the
operator to return the vehicle to service.
(c) The commissioner shall provide in the rules procedures for inspecting vehicles,
removing unsafe vehicles from service, determining and requiring compliance, and
reviewing driver qualifications.
(d) The commissioner shall design a distinctive decal to be issued to special
transportation service providers with a current certificate of compliance under this section.
A decal is valid for one year from the last day of the month in which it is issued. A person
who is subject to the operating standards adopted under this section may not provide
special transportation service in a vehicle that does not conspicuously display a decal
issued by the commissioner.
new text begin
(e) Special transportation service providers shall prominently display in each vehicle
all contact information for the submission of complaints regarding the transportation
services provided to that individual.
new text end
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.30, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
Subd. 9.
deleted text begin Complaint data;deleted text end new text begin Complaints; report; data new text end classification.
new text begin
(a) The
commissioner shall investigate and resolve any and all complaints regarding special
transportation service providers regulated under this section.
new text end
new text begin
(b) By January 15, 2008, and in every subsequent even-numbered year by
January 15, the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the house of representatives and senate committees having jurisdiction over
transportation policy and finance. The report must identify each complaint investigated
by the commissioner under paragraph (a), including but not limited to any findings and
steps taken for resolution of the complaint.
new text end
new text begin (c) new text end When information is furnished to the Department of Transportation that alleges
a violation of this section, an operating standard adopted under this section, or section
174.315, the following data are classified as confidential data or protected nonpublic data:
(1) names of complainants;
(2) complaint letters; and
(3) other unsolicited data when furnished by a person who is not the subject of the
data and who is not a department employee.
Sec. 4.
Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 221.011, subdivision 49, is amended to read:
Subd. 49.
Small vehicle passenger service.
(a) "Small vehicle passenger service"
means a service provided by a person engaged in the for-hire transportation of passengersnew text begin ,new text end
in a vehicle designed to transport seven or fewer persons, including the drivernew text begin , that does not
receive reimbursement from the state of Minnesota or other vendor under chapter 256Bnew text end .
(b) In the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, "small
vehicle passenger service" also includes for-hire transportation of persons who are certified
by the Metropolitan Council to use special transportation service provided under section
473.386, in a vehicle designed to transport not more than 15 persons including the driver,
that is equipped with a wheelchair lift and at least three wheelchair securement positions.
Sec. 5. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end
new text begin
This act is effective July 1, 2007.
new text end