1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; defining medium-speed electric vehicles; requiring 
1.3 	medium-speed electric vehicles to be registered and titled; identifying roads on 
1.4 	which medium-speed electric vehicles may be operated; amending Minnesota 
1.5 	Statutes 2006, sections 168.011, subdivision 7; 168A.05, subdivision 9; 169.01, 
1.6 	by adding a subdivision; 169.224.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.011, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
1.9 		Subd. 7.Passenger automobile. (a) "Passenger automobile" means any motor 
1.10 	vehicle designed and used for carrying not more than 15 individuals, including the driver.
1.11 	(b) "Passenger automobile" does not include motorcycles, motor scooters, buses,  
1.12 	school buses, or commuter vans as defined in section 168.126.
1.13 	(c) "Passenger automobile" includes, but is not limited to:
1.14 	(1) pickup trucks and vans, including those vans designed to carry passengers, with 
1.15 	a manufacturer's nominal rated carrying capacity of one ton; and
1.16 	(2) neighborhood electric vehicles, as defined in section 169.01, subdivision 91; and
1.17 	(3) medium-speed electric vehicles, as defined in section 169.01, subdivision 93.

1.18 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168A.05, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
1.19 		Subd. 9.Neighborhood electric vehicle and medium-speed electric vehicles; 
1.20 	certificate required. Neighborhood electric vehicles and medium-speed electric vehicles, 
1.21 	as defined in section 169.01, subdivisionsubdivisions 91 and 93, must be titled as 
1.22 	specified in section 168A.02. The department shall not issue a title for a neighborhood 
1.23 	electric vehicle or a medium-speed electric vehicle (1) that lacks a vehicle identification 
1.24 	number, and (2) for which a manufacturer's certificate of origin clearly labeling the 
2.1 	vehicle as a neighborhood electric vehicle or similar designation has not been issued. The 
2.2 	department shall not issue a vehicle identification number to a homemade neighborhood 
2.3 	electric or low-speed vehicle or retrofitted golf cart, and such vehicles do not qualify as 
2.4 	neighborhood electric vehicles.

2.5 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.01, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.6 	to read:
2.7 		Subd. 93.Medium-speed electric vehicle. "Medium-speed electric vehicle" 
2.8 	means an electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle, equipped with a roll cage 
2.9 	or crushproof body design, that can attain a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour on a 
2.10 	paved, level surface, is fully enclosed and has at least one door for entry, has a wheelbase 
2.11 	of 40 inches or greater and a wheel diameter of ten inches or greater, and, except with 
2.12 	respect to maximum speed, otherwise meets or exceeds regulations in the Code of Federal 
2.13 	Regulations, title 49, section 571.500, and successor requirements.

2.14 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.224, is amended to read:
2.15 	169.224 NEIGHBORHOOD AND MEDIUM-SPEED ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
2.16 		Subdivision 1.Definition. For purposes of this section, "road authority" means the 
2.17 	commissioner, as to trunk highways; the county board, as to county state-aid highways 
2.18 	and county highways; the town board, as to town roads; and the governing body of 
2.19 	a city, as to city streets. 
2.20 		Subd. 2.Required equipment. Notwithstanding any other law, a neighborhood 
2.21 	electric vehicle or a medium-speed electric vehicle may be operated on public streets and 
2.22 	highways if it meets all equipment and vehicle safety requirements in Code of Federal 
2.23 	Regulations, title 49, section 571.500, and successor requirements. 
2.24 		Subd. 3.Operation. A neighborhood electric vehicle or a medium-speed electric 
2.25 	vehicle may not be operated on a street or highway with a speed limit greater than 35 miles 
2.26 	per hour, except to make a direct crossing of that street or highway. 
2.27 		Subd. 4.Restrictions and prohibitions. (a) A road authority, including the 
2.28 	commissioner of transportation by order, may prohibit or further restrict the operation 
2.29 	of neighborhood electric vehicles and medium-speed electric vehicles on any street or 
2.30 	highway under the road authority's jurisdiction.
2.31 	(b) Neither a neighborhood electric vehicle nor a medium-speed electric vehicle may 
2.32 	not be used to take any examination to demonstrate ability to exercise control in the 
2.33 	operation of a motor vehicle as required under section 171.13.