<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>evaluation of the metropolitan area's transportation system; modifying and <br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>clarifying provisions related to the provision of special transportation service; <br/>
<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>repealing an obsolete provision; providing penalties; repealing obsolete reporting <br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 473.1466; 473.386, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 3; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 473.1465; <br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>473.247.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 473.1466, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var><b>473.1466 </b><b>TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM </b><b>PERFORMANCE </b><b>AUDIT; </b><br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var><b>TRANSIT</b><b> EVALUATION.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>(a) In 1997 and every four years thereafter, the council shall provide for an <br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>independent entity selected through a request for proposal process conducted nationwide <br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>to do Prior to each major revision of the transportation policy plan, the council must carry <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>out a performance audit evaluation of the commuting metropolitan area's transportation <br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>system as a whole. The performance audit evaluation must evaluate the commuting <br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>area's ability to meet the region's needs need for effective and efficient transportation of <br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>goods and people, and evaluate future trends and their impacts on the region's area's <br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>transportation system, and. The council shall use the results of the performance evaluation <br/>
<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>to  make recommendations for improving the system in each revision of the transportation <br/>
<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>policy plan. The performance audit must recommend performance-funding measures.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>(b) In 1999 and every four years thereafter, the council must evaluate the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.24"></a><var>1.24</var>performance of the metropolitan transit system's operation in relationship to the regional <br/>
<a id="pl.1.25"></a><var>1.25</var>transit performance standards developed by the council.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.2.0"></a><a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 473.386, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>    Subdivision 1. <b>Service objectives.</b> The council shall implement a special <br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>transportation service, as defined in section 
         <statute_ref>174.29</statute_ref>, in the metropolitan area. The service <br/>
<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>has the following objectives: <br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>(a) to provide greater access to transportation for the elderly, people with disabilities, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>and others with special transportation needs in the metropolitan area;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>(b) to develop an integrated system of special transportation service providing <br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>transportation tailored to meet special individual needs in the most cost-efficient manner; <br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>(c) to use existing public, private, and private nonprofit providers of service <br/>
<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>wherever possible when feasible and cost-efficient, to supplement rather than replace <br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>existing service, and to increase the productivity of all special transportation vehicles <br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>available in the area.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.3.0"></a><a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 473.386, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Service contracts; management; transportation accessibility advisory </b><br/>
<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var><b>committee.</b> (a) The council may contract for services necessary for the provision of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>special transportation. Transportation service provided under a contract must specify the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>service to be provided, the standards that must be met, and the rates for operating and <br/>
<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>providing special transportation services.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>(b) The council shall establish management policies for the service and may contract <br/>
<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>with a service administrator for day-to-day administration and management of the service. <br/>
<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>Any contract must delegate to the service administrator clear authority to administer and <br/>
<a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>manage the delivery of the service pursuant to council management policies and must <br/>
<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>establish performance and compliance standards for the service administrator. The council <br/>
<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var>may provide directly day to day administration and management of the service and may <br/>
<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>own or lease vehicles used to provide the service.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>(c) The council shall ensure that the service administrator establishes a system for <br/>
<a id="pl.2.28"></a><var>2.28</var>registering and expeditiously responding to complaints by users, informing users of how <br/>
<a id="pl.2.29"></a><var>2.29</var>to register complaints, and requiring providers to report on incidents that impair the safety <br/>
<a id="pl.2.30"></a><var>2.30</var>and well-being of users or the quality of the service. <br/>
<a id="pl.2.31"></a><var>2.31</var>(d) The council shall annually report to the commissioner of transportation and the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.32"></a><var>2.32</var>legislature on complaints and provider reports, the response of the service administrator, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.33"></a><var>2.33</var>and steps taken by the council and the service administrator to identify causes and provide <br/>
<a id="pl.2.34"></a><var>2.34</var>remedies to recurring problems on its special transportation services as part of the program <br/>
<a id="pl.2.35"></a><var>2.35</var>evaluation provided for in section 473.13, subdivision 1a.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.1"></a><var>3.1</var>(d) Each year before renewing contracts with providers and the service administrator, <br/>
<a id="pl.3.2"></a><var>3.2</var>the council shall provide an opportunity for the transportation accessibility advisory <br/>
<a id="pl.3.3"></a><var>3.3</var>committee, users, and other interested persons to testify before the council concerning <br/>
<a id="pl.3.4"></a><var>3.4</var>providers, contract terms, and other matters relating to council policies and procedures for <br/>
<a id="pl.3.5"></a><var>3.5</var>implementing the service.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.6"></a><var>3.6</var>    (e) The council shall provide, on an annual basis, an opportunity for users and <br/>
<a id="pl.3.7"></a><var>3.7</var>other interested persons to provide testimony to the council concerning services provided <br/>
<a id="pl.3.8"></a><var>3.8</var>under this section.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.9"></a><var>3.9</var>(e) (f) The council shall establish a Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee <br/>
<a id="pl.3.10"></a><var>3.10</var>consisting of 15 members and a chair to advise the council on management policies for <br/>
<a id="pl.3.11"></a><var>3.11</var>the council's special transportation service. The Transportation Accessibility Advisory <br/>
<a id="pl.3.12"></a><var>3.12</var>Committee must include elderly and disabled persons, other users of special transportation <br/>
<a id="pl.3.13"></a><var>3.13</var>service, representatives of persons contracting to provide special transportation services, <br/>
<a id="pl.3.14"></a><var>3.14</var>and representatives of appropriate agencies for elderly and disabled persons to advise <br/>
<a id="pl.3.15"></a><var>3.15</var>the council on management policies for the service. At least half the Transportation <br/>
<a id="pl.3.16"></a><var>3.16</var>Accessibility Advisory Committee members must be disabled or elderly persons or <br/>
<a id="pl.3.17"></a><var>3.17</var>the representatives of disabled or elderly persons. Two of the appointments to the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.18"></a><var>3.18</var>Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee shall be made by the Council on <br/>
<a id="pl.3.19"></a><var>3.19</var>Disability in consultation with the chair of the Metropolitan Council persons who are both <br/>
<a id="pl.3.20"></a><var>3.20</var>ADA certified and users of public transit in the metropolitan area. Two of the appointments <br/>
<a id="pl.3.21"></a><var>3.21</var>to the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee shall be made by the Minnesota <br/>
<a id="pl.3.22"></a><var>3.22</var>State Council on Disability in consultation with the chair of the Metropolitan Council.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.4.0"></a><a id="pl.3.23"></a><var>3.23</var>    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 473.386, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.24"></a><var>3.24</var>    Subd. 2a. <b>Eligibility </b><b>certification</b><b> application and verification; penalty for </b><br/>
<a id="pl.3.25"></a><var>3.25</var><b>fraudulent certification</b><b>.</b> If the council requires a person to be certified as eligible for <br/>
<a id="pl.3.26"></a><var>3.26</var>special transportation services, an applicant for certification must submit an application <br/>
<a id="pl.3.27"></a><var>3.27</var>form and the applicant's eligibility must be verified by a type of professional specified by <br/>
<a id="pl.3.28"></a><var>3.28</var>the council. The council shall include the notice of penalty for fraudulent certification, and:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.29"></a><var>3.29</var>(1) require the applicant to sign the application form and certify that the application <br/>
<a id="pl.3.30"></a><var>3.30</var>information is accurate; and<br/>
<a id="pl.3.31"></a><var>3.31</var>(2) require the person certifying verifying the applicant applicant's eligibility to sign <br/>
<a id="pl.3.32"></a><var>3.32</var>the eligibility certification verification form and the applicant to sign the application form, <br/>
<a id="pl.3.33"></a><var>3.33</var>as provided in section 
<statute_ref>174.295</statute_ref> certify that the verifying information is accurate. <br/>
<a id="pl.3.34"></a><var>3.34</var>The penalty provided for in section 174.295, subdivision 4, applies to the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.35"></a><var>3.35</var>certifications by the applicant and the person verifying the applicant's eligibility. The <br/>
<a id="pl.4.1"></a><var>4.1</var>council must include a notice of the penalty for fraudulent certification in the application <br/>
<a id="pl.4.2"></a><var>4.2</var>form and the eligibility verification form.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.5.0"></a><a id="pl.4.3"></a><var>4.3</var>    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 473.386, subdivision 3, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.4"></a><var>4.4</var>    Subd. 3. <b>Duties of council.</b> In implementing the special transportation service, the <br/>
<a id="pl.4.5"></a><var>4.5</var>council shall:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.6"></a><var>4.6</var>(a) encourage participation in the service by public, private, and private nonprofit <br/>
<a id="pl.4.7"></a><var>4.7</var>providers of special transportation currently receiving capital or operating assistance <br/>
<a id="pl.4.8"></a><var>4.8</var>from a public agency;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.9"></a><var>4.9</var>(b) when feasible and cost-efficient, contract with public, private, and private <br/>
<a id="pl.4.10"></a><var>4.10</var>nonprofit providers that have demonstrated their ability to effectively provide service at <br/>
<a id="pl.4.11"></a><var>4.11</var>a reasonable cost;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.12"></a><var>4.12</var>(c) encourage individuals using special transportation to use the type of service <br/>
<a id="pl.4.13"></a><var>4.13</var>most appropriate to their particular needs;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.14"></a><var>4.14</var>(d) ensure that all persons providing special transportation service receive equitable <br/>
<a id="pl.4.15"></a><var>4.15</var>treatment in the allocation of the ridership;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.16"></a><var>4.16</var>(e) (d) encourage shared rides to the greatest extent practicable;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.17"></a><var>4.17</var>(f) (e) encourage public agencies that provide transportation to eligible individuals <br/>
<a id="pl.4.18"></a><var>4.18</var>as a component of human services and educational programs to coordinate with this <br/>
<a id="pl.4.19"></a><var>4.19</var>service and to allow reimbursement for transportation provided through the service at rates <br/>
<a id="pl.4.20"></a><var>4.20</var>that reflect the public cost of providing that transportation;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.21"></a><var>4.21</var>(g) (f) establish criteria to be used in determining individual eligibility for special <br/>
<a id="pl.4.22"></a><var>4.22</var>transportation services;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.23"></a><var>4.23</var>(h) (g) consult with the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee in a <br/>
<a id="pl.4.24"></a><var>4.24</var>timely manner before changes are made in the provision of special transportation services, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.25"></a><var>4.25</var>including, but not limited to, changes in policies affecting the matters subject to hearing <br/>
<a id="pl.4.26"></a><var>4.26</var>under subdivision 2;<br/>
<a id="pl.4.27"></a><var>4.27</var>(i) (h) provide for effective administration and enforcement of council policies <br/>
<a id="pl.4.28"></a><var>4.28</var>and standards; and<br/>
<a id="pl.4.29"></a><var>4.29</var>(j) annually evaluate providers of special transportation service to ensure compliance <br/>
<a id="pl.4.30"></a><var>4.30</var>with the standards established for the program; and <br/>
<a id="pl.4.31"></a><var>4.31</var>(k) (i) ensure that, taken as a whole including contracts with public, private, and <br/>
<a id="pl.4.32"></a><var>4.32</var>private nonprofit providers, the geographic coverage area of the special transportation <br/>
<a id="pl.4.33"></a><var>4.33</var>service is continuous within the boundaries of the transit taxing district, as defined as of <br/>
<a id="pl.4.34"></a><var>4.34</var>March 1, 2006, in section 
         <statute_ref>473.446</statute_ref>, subdivision 2.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.6.0"></a><a id="pl.5.1"></a><var>5.1</var>    Sec. 6. <b> REPEALER.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.5.2"></a><var>5.2</var>Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 473.1465; and 473.247, are repealed.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.7.0"></a><a id="pl.5.3"></a><var>5.3</var>    Sec. 7. <b>APPLICATION.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.5.4"></a><var>5.4</var>This act applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, <br/>
<a id="pl.5.5"></a><var>5.5</var>Scott, and Washington.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.8.0"></a><a id="pl.5.6"></a><var>5.6</var>    Sec. 8. <b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.5.7"></a><var>5.7</var>This act is effective the day following final enactment.<br/>