HF 1447

1st Division Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 04/13/2020 10:58am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; extending expiration dates for out-of-state drivers'
licenses, commercial drivers' licenses, and medical certificates and waivers;
extending vehicle registration periods; directing use of federal transit funds;
requiring reports; amending Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 15,
subdivision 3, by adding subdivisions.

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

Section 1.

Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Out-of-state licenses.

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 171.03,
deleted text begin paragraph deleted text end new text begin paragraphs new text end (h) new text begin and (i) new text end , any person who becomes a resident of the state of Minnesota
and who possesses a valid deleted text begin noncommercial deleted text end driver's license issued to the person under and
pursuant to the laws of some other state or jurisdiction, or by military authorities of the
United States, may operate a motor vehicle for more than new text begin 30 days for a commercial driver's
license or new text end 60 days new text begin for a noncommercial driver's license new text end without being required to have a
Minnesota driver's license, as provided by this subdivision. A person described by this
subdivision may only operate the types of vehicles for which the license is issued and must
apply for a Minnesota driver's license by the last day of the second consecutive month
following the month in which the peacetime public health emergency period terminates.

(b) If a Minnesota resident's driver's license or state identification card issued by another
state, jurisdiction, or military authority would expire absent this subdivision during the
period specified by subdivision 2, paragraph (a), the expiration date is extended in the
manner prescribed by subdivision 2, paragraphs (a) to (e) new text begin , except that the expiration date
for a commercial driver's license must not be extended past the date identified by the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration in waivers of applicable federal regulations new text end .

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "driver's license" includes but is not limited to an
instruction permit, provisional license, operator's permit, limited license, and farm work
license.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 15, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Medical certificates and waivers. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
sections 171.162 and 221.0314, subdivisions 2, 3, and 3a, if a medical examiner's certificate
or a medical waiver would expire absent this subdivision during the period specified by
subdivision 2, paragraph (a), the expiration date is extended in the manner prescribed by
subdivision 2, except that it must not be extended past the date identified by the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration in waivers of applicable federal regulations.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 15, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 3b. new text end

new text begin Commercial drivers' licenses. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of public safety may
exercise the authority under this subdivision for restricted commercial drivers' licenses
under Minnesota Statutes, section 171.02, subdivision 4, and otherwise only if the
commissioner has established procedures for on-the-road examinations during the peacetime
public health emergency period in a manner that (1) ensures personal protective measures
for applicants and examiners, and (2) complies with guidance and recommendations related
to the infectious disease known as COVID-19 provided from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, chapter 171, and Minnesota Rules, part
7410.1810, during the peacetime public health emergency period, the commissioner may
issue a new commercial driver's license to a qualifying applicant except that:
new text end

new text begin (1) in lieu of a photograph taken in person, the commissioner may use the most recently
available photograph of the applicant on record with the department;
new text end

new text begin (2) a test of the applicant's eyesight under Minnesota Statutes, section 171.13, subdivision
1, paragraph (a), clause (1), is not required at the time of application; and
new text end

new text begin (3) subject to paragraph (c), the expiration date of the license is the last day of the second
consecutive month following the month in which the peacetime public health emergency
period terminates.
new text end

new text begin (c) After the peacetime public health emergency period, the expiration date of a license
issued under this subdivision is adjusted to the date that would otherwise apply for a license
issued absent this subdivision if the license holder:
new text end

new text begin (1) arranges for an in-person photograph; and
new text end

new text begin (2) passes a test of the person's eyesight.
new text end

new text begin (d) No fee or surcharge under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 171, is imposed for the license
other than the amounts that would otherwise apply for a license issued absent this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (e) The requirements under subdivision 2, paragraphs (d) and (e), apply for a license
issued under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 15, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin Vehicle registration; extension. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 168, the registration is deemed extended for any vehicle that is not eligible for the
online vehicle registration system whose registration period expired on February 29, 2020,
or absent this subdivision would otherwise expire (1) during the peacetime public health
emergency period, or (2) on any day of the month in which the peacetime public health
emergency period terminates.
new text end

new text begin (b) An extension under this subdivision is provided to the last day of the second
consecutive month following the month in which the peacetime public health emergency
period terminates.
new text end

new text begin (c) No tax, fee, late fee, or surcharge under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 168, is imposed
for an extension under this subdivision. A replacement validation sticker is not required for
an extension.
new text end

new text begin (d) An extension under this subdivision does not alter the registration period for
subsequent registration renewals. A vehicle subject to an extension under this subdivision
that is registered on a quarterly basis must subsequently be registered for each quarterly
registration period that absent this subdivision would:
new text end

new text begin (1) conclude during the extension under paragraphs (a) and (b); or
new text end

new text begin (2) commence during the extension under paragraphs (a) and (b) if the vehicle is operated
on public roads more than ten days beyond the start of that quarterly registration period.
new text end

new text begin (e) In implementing this subdivision, the commissioner must not make modifications
to the current motor vehicle information technology system.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 2, section 15, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 4b. new text end

new text begin Vehicle registration; unregistered vehicles. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 168, a vehicle is deemed to be registered during the extension under
subdivision 4a, paragraphs (a) and (b), if the most recent registration of the vehicle was for
a quarterly registration period under Minnesota Statutes, section 168.018, that started prior
to March 1, 2020.
new text end

new text begin (b) Subject to paragraph (c), no tax, fee, or surcharge under Minnesota Statutes, chapter
168, is imposed for purposes of this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (c) This subdivision does not alter the vehicle registration periods. A vehicle subject to
this subdivision must subsequently be registered for each quarterly registration period:
new text end

new text begin (1) that overlaps with the extension under subdivision 4a, paragraphs (a) and (b); and
new text end

new text begin (2) during which the vehicle is operated on public roads.
new text end

new text begin (d) In implementing this subdivision, the commissioner must not make modifications
to the current motor vehicle information technology system.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin REPORT TO LEGISLATURE; POWERS EXERCISED BY
COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION DURING PEACETIME PUBLIC
HEALTH EMERGENCY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Within 30 days of the expiration of a peacetime public health emergency period, the
commissioner of transportation must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over transportation regarding any temporary powers exercised during the peacetime public
health emergency period, including but not limited to any statutory requirements or
administrative rules that were modified or waived. The report must include a timeline as to
when and an explanation of why temporary powers were exercised.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, "peacetime public health emergency period" means the
duration of any peacetime emergency declared by the governor in an executive order that
relates to the infectious disease known as COVID-19.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin REPORT TO LEGISLATURE; POWERS EXERCISED BY
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DURING PEACETIME PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Within 30 days of the expiration of a peacetime public health emergency period, the
chair of the Metropolitan Council must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over transportation or the Metropolitan Council regarding any temporary powers exercised
during the peacetime public health emergency period, including but not limited to any
statutory requirements or administrative rules that were modified or waived. The report
must include a timeline as to when and an explanation of why temporary powers were
exercised.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, "peacetime public health emergency period" means the
duration of any peacetime emergency declared by the governor in an executive order that
relates to the infectious disease known as COVID-19.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 8. new text begin EXTENDING DEADLINE FOR TRANSIT FINANCE REPORT.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 473.4485, subdivision 2, the deadline for
the metropolitan area transit finance report that is due by October 15, 2020, is extended
until February 15, 2021.
new text end

Sec. 9. new text begin USE OF FEDERAL TRANSIT FUNDS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of transportation and the chair of the Metropolitan Council, to
the extent consistent with federal law and regulations, may use money allocated to the state
of Minnesota by the Federal Transit Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136, for, but not limited to, the following
purposes:
new text end

new text begin (1) protection equipment for transit operators, including physical barriers, personal
protective equipment, and cleaning materials;
new text end

new text begin (2) safety training for operators who are in close contact with members of the public;
and
new text end

new text begin (3) frequent cleaning of transit vehicles.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of transportation and the chair of the Metropolitan Council must
report all expenditures made under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
(CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation finance and policy by February
15, 2021. The report must include the total amount of each expenditure, the purpose of each
expenditure, and any additional information the commissioner and the chair determine is
necessary to properly document each expenditure.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end