1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to pupil transportation; increasing the maximum weight of a type A-I 
1.3 	school bus; modifying seat back and tailpipe equipment standards;amending 
1.4 	Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 123B.92, subdivision 1; 169.011, subdivision 
1.5 	71; 169.443, subdivision 9; 169.4501, subdivision 1; 169.4503, subdivision 20, 
1.6 	by adding a subdivision; 169.454, subdivision 13; 169A.03, subdivision 23; 
1.7 	171.01, subdivision 22; 171.02, subdivisions 2, 2a; 171.321, subdivisions 1, 4, 5.
1.8 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.9 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 123B.92, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.10 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section and section 125A.76, the 
1.11 	terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given to them.
1.12 	(a) "Actual expenditure per pupil transported in the regular and excess transportation 
1.13 	categories" means the quotient obtained by dividing:
1.14 	(1) the sum of:
1.15 	(i) all expenditures for transportation in the regular category, as defined in paragraph 
1.16 	(b), clause (1), and the excess category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (2), plus
1.17 	(ii) an amount equal to one year's depreciation on the district's school bus fleet 
1.18 	and mobile units computed on a straight line basis at the rate of 15 percent per year for 
1.19 	districts operating a program under section 124D.128 for grades 1 to 12 for all students in 
1.20 	the district and 12-1/2 percent per year for other districts of the cost of the fleet, plus
1.21 	(iii) an amount equal to one year's depreciation on the district's type three school 
1.22 	buses III vehicles, as defined in section 169.011, subdivision 71, clause (5), which must be 
1.23 	used a majority of the time for pupil transportation purposes, computed on a straight line 
1.24 	basis at the rate of 20 percent per year of the cost of the type three school buses by:
2.1 	(2) the number of pupils eligible for transportation in the regular category, as defined 
2.2 	in paragraph (b), clause (1), and the excess category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (2).
2.3 	(b) "Transportation category" means a category of transportation service provided to 
2.4 	pupils as follows:
2.5 	(1) Regular transportation is:
2.6 	(i) transportation to and from school during the regular school year for resident 
2.7 	elementary pupils residing one mile or more from the public or nonpublic school they 
2.8 	attend, and resident secondary pupils residing two miles or more from the public 
2.9 	or nonpublic school they attend, excluding desegregation transportation and noon 
2.10 	kindergarten transportation; but with respect to transportation of pupils to and from 
2.11 	nonpublic schools, only to the extent permitted by sections 123B.84 to 123B.87;
2.12 	(ii) transportation of resident pupils to and from language immersion programs;
2.13 	(iii) transportation of a pupil who is a custodial parent and that pupil's child between 
2.14 	the pupil's home and the child care provider and between the provider and the school, if 
2.15 	the home and provider are within the attendance area of the school;
2.16 	(iv) transportation to and from or board and lodging in another district, of resident 
2.17 	pupils of a district without a secondary school; and
2.18 	(v) transportation to and from school during the regular school year required under 
2.19 	subdivision 3 for nonresident elementary pupils when the distance from the attendance 
2.20 	area border to the public school is one mile or more, and for nonresident secondary pupils 
2.21 	when the distance from the attendance area border to the public school is two miles or 
2.22 	more, excluding desegregation transportation and noon kindergarten transportation.
2.23 	For the purposes of this paragraph, a district may designate a licensed day care 
2.24 	facility, school day care facility, respite care facility, the residence of a relative, or the 
2.25 	residence of a person chosen by the pupil's parent or guardian as the home of a pupil for 
2.26 	part or all of the day, if requested by the pupil's parent or guardian, and if that facility or 
2.27 	residence is within the attendance area of the school the pupil attends.
2.28 	(2) Excess transportation is:
2.29 	(i) transportation to and from school during the regular school year for resident 
2.30 	secondary pupils residing at least one mile but less than two miles from the public or 
2.31 	nonpublic school they attend, and transportation to and from school for resident pupils 
2.32 	residing less than one mile from school who are transported because of extraordinary 
2.33 	traffic, drug, or crime hazards; and
2.34 	(ii) transportation to and from school during the regular school year required under 
2.35 	subdivision 3 for nonresident secondary pupils when the distance from the attendance area 
2.36 	border to the school is at least one mile but less than two miles from the public school 
3.1 	they attend, and for nonresident pupils when the distance from the attendance area border 
3.2 	to the school is less than one mile from the school and who are transported because of 
3.3 	extraordinary traffic, drug, or crime hazards.
3.4 	(3) Desegregation transportation is transportation within and outside of the district 
3.5 	during the regular school year of pupils to and from schools located outside their normal 
3.6 	attendance areas under a plan for desegregation mandated by the commissioner or under 
3.7 	court order.
3.8 	(4) "Transportation services for pupils with disabilities" is:
3.9 	(i) transportation of pupils with disabilities who cannot be transported on a regular 
3.10 	school bus between home or a respite care facility and school;
3.11 	(ii) necessary transportation of pupils with disabilities from home or from school to 
3.12 	other buildings, including centers such as developmental achievement centers, hospitals, 
3.13 	and treatment centers where special instruction or services required by sections 125A.03
3.14 	to 125A.24, 125A.26 to 125A.48, and 125A.65 are provided, within or outside the district 
3.15 	where services are provided;
3.16 	(iii) necessary transportation for resident pupils with disabilities required by sections 
3.17 	125A.12, and 125A.26 to 125A.48;
3.18 	(iv) board and lodging for pupils with disabilities in a district maintaining special 
3.19 	classes;
3.20 	(v) transportation from one educational facility to another within the district for 
3.21 	resident pupils enrolled on a shared-time basis in educational programs, and necessary 
3.22 	transportation required by sections 125A.18, and 125A.26 to 125A.48, for resident pupils 
3.23 	with disabilities who are provided special instruction and services on a shared-time basis 
3.24 	or if resident pupils are not transported, the costs of necessary travel between public 
3.25 	and private schools or neutral instructional sites by essential personnel employed by the 
3.26 	district's program for children with a disability;
3.27 	(vi) transportation for resident pupils with disabilities to and from board and lodging 
3.28 	facilities when the pupil is boarded and lodged for educational purposes; and
3.29 	(vii) services described in clauses (i) to (vi), when provided for pupils with 
3.30 	disabilities in conjunction with a summer instructional program that relates to the pupil's 
3.31 	individual education plan or in conjunction with a learning year program established 
3.32 	under section 124D.128.
3.33 	For purposes of computing special education initial aid under section 125A.76, 
3.34 	subdivision 2, the cost of providing transportation for children with disabilities includes 
3.35 	(A) the additional cost of transporting a homeless student from a temporary nonshelter 
3.36 	home in another district to the school of origin, or a formerly homeless student from a 
4.1 	permanent home in another district to the school of origin but only through the end of the 
4.2 	academic year; and (B) depreciation on district-owned school buses purchased after July 1, 
4.3 	2005, and used primarily for transportation of pupils with disabilities, calculated according 
4.4 	to paragraph (a), clauses (ii) and (iii). Depreciation costs included in the disabled 
4.5 	transportation category must be excluded in calculating the actual expenditure per pupil 
4.6 	transported in the regular and excess transportation categories according to paragraph (a).
4.7 	(5) "Nonpublic nonregular transportation" is:
4.8 	(i) transportation from one educational facility to another within the district for 
4.9 	resident pupils enrolled on a shared-time basis in educational programs, excluding 
4.10 	transportation for nonpublic pupils with disabilities under clause (4);
4.11 	(ii) transportation within district boundaries between a nonpublic school and a 
4.12 	public school or a neutral site for nonpublic school pupils who are provided pupil support 
4.13 	services pursuant to section 123B.44; and
4.14 	(iii) late transportation home from school or between schools within a district for 
4.15 	nonpublic school pupils involved in after-school activities.
4.16 	(c) "Mobile unit" means a vehicle or trailer designed to provide facilities for 
4.17 	educational programs and services, including diagnostic testing, guidance and counseling 
4.18 	services, and health services. A mobile unit located off nonpublic school premises is a 
4.19 	neutral site as defined in section 123B.41, subdivision 13.

4.20 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.011, subdivision 71, is amended to read:
4.21 		Subd. 71.School bus. (a) "School bus" means a motor vehicle used to transport 
4.22 	pupils to or from a school defined in section 120A.22, or to or from school-related 
4.23 	activities, by the school or a school district, or by someone under an agreement with the 
4.24 	school or a school district. A school bus does not include a motor vehicle transporting 
4.25 	children to or from school for which parents or guardians receive direct compensation 
4.26 	from a school district, a motor coach operating under charter carrier authority, a transit 
4.27 	bus providing services as defined in section 174.22, subdivision 7, a multifunction school 
4.28 	activity bus as defined by federal motor vehicle safety standards, or a vehicle otherwise 
4.29 	qualifying as a type III vehicle under paragraph (5) clause (6), when the vehicle is properly 
4.30 	registered and insured and being driven by an employee or agent of a school district for 
4.31 	nonscheduled or nonregular transportation. 
4.32 	(b) A school bus may be type A, type B, type C, or type D, multifunction school 
4.33 	activity bus, or type III as follows:  provided in paragraphs (c) to (h).
4.34 	(1) (c) A "type A school bus" is a van conversion or bus constructed utilizing a 
4.35 	cutaway front section vehicle with a left-side driver's door. The entrance door is behind the 
5.1 	front wheels. This definition includes two classifications: type A-I, with a gross vehicle 
5.2 	weight rating (GVWR) less than or equal to 10,000 14,500 pounds; and type A-II, with a 
5.3 	GVWR greater than 10,000 14,500 pounds and less than or equal to 21,500 pounds.
5.4 	(2) (d) A "type B school bus" is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The 
5.5 	entrance door is behind the front wheels. This definition includes two classifications: type 
5.6 	B-I, with a GVWR less than or equal to 10,000 pounds; and type B-II, with a GVWR 
5.7 	greater than 10,000 pounds.
5.8 	(3) (e) A "type C school bus" is constructed utilizing a chassis with a hood and front 
5.9 	fender assembly. The entrance door is behind the front wheels. A "type C school bus" also 
5.10 	includes a cutaway truck chassis or truck chassis with cab, with or without a left side door, 
5.11 	and with a GVWR greater than 21,500 pounds.
5.12 	(4) (f) A "type D school bus" is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance 
5.13 	door is ahead of the front wheels.
5.14 	(5)(g) A "multifunction school activity bus" is a school bus that meets the definition 
5.15 	of a multifunction school activity bus in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 
5.16 	571.3. A vehicle that meets the definition of a type III vehicle is not a multifunction 
5.17 	school activity bus.
5.18 	(h) A "Type III vehicles are vehicle" is restricted to passenger cars, station wagons, 
5.19 	vans, and buses having a maximum manufacturer's rated seating capacity of ten or fewer 
5.20 	people, including the driver, and a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or 
5.21 	less. In this subdivision, "gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified by the 
5.22 	manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle. A "type III vehicle" must not be 
5.23 	outwardly equipped and identified as a type A, B, C, or D school bus or type A, B, C, or D 
5.24 	Head Start bus. A van or bus converted to a seating capacity of ten or fewer and placed in 
5.25 	service on or after August 1, 1999, must have been originally manufactured to comply 
5.26 	with the passenger safety standards.
5.27 	(i) In this subdivision, "gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified by 
5.28 	the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.

5.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

5.30 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.443, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
5.31 		Subd. 9. Personal cellular phone call prohibition. (a) As used in this subdivision, 
5.32 	"school bus" has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 71. In addition, the 
5.33 	term includes type III vehicles as described defined in section 169.011, subdivision 71, 
5.34 	clause (5), when driven by employees or agents of school districts. 
6.1 	(b) A school bus driver may not operate a school bus while communicating over, or 
6.2 	otherwise operating, a cellular phone for personal reasons, whether handheld or hands 
6.3 	free, when the vehicle is in motion. 

6.4 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.4501, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
6.5 		Subdivision 1.National standards adopted. Except as provided in sections 
6.6 	169.4502 and 169.4503, the construction, design, equipment, and color of types A, B, C, 
6.7 	D and multifunctional school buses and multifunction school activity bus school buses 
6.8 	used for the transportation of school children shall meet the requirements of the "bus 
6.9 	chassis standards" and "bus body standards" in the 2005 edition of the "National School 
6.10 	Transportation Specifications and Procedures" adopted by the National Congress on 
6.11 	School Transportation. Except as provided in section 169.4504, the construction, design, 
6.12 	and equipment of types A, B, C, D and multifunctional school buses and multifunction
6.13 	school activity bus school buses used for the transportation of students with disabilities 
6.14 	also shall meet the requirements of the "specially equipped school bus standards" in the 
6.15 	2005 National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures. The "bus chassis 
6.16 	standards," "bus body standards," and "specially equipped school bus standards" sections 
6.17 	of the 2005 edition of the "National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures" 
6.18 	are incorporated by reference in this chapter. 

6.19 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.4503, subdivision 20, is amended to read:
6.20 		Subd. 20.Seat and crash barriers. (a) All restraining barriers and passenger seats 
6.21 	shall be covered with a material that has fire retardant or fire block characteristics.
6.22 	(b) All seats must have a minimum cushion depth of 15 inches and a seat back 
6.23 	height of at least 20 inches above the seating reference point, and beginning October 21, 
6.24 	2009, must also conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard in Code of Federal 
6.25 	Regulations, title 49, section 571.222.

6.26 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.4503, is amended by adding a subdivision 
6.27 	to read:
6.28 		Subd. 27.Tailpipe. (a) The tailpipe must not extend more than two inches beyond 
6.29 	the perimeter of the body for a side-exit pipe or beyond the bumper for a rear-exit pipe.
6.30 	(b) The tailpipe must exit either in the rear of the vehicle or to the left side of the bus 
6.31 	in front of or behind the rear drive axle. The tailpipe exit location on all type A-I or B-I 
6.32 	buses must be in accordance with the manufacturer's standards. The tailpipe must not exit 
6.33 	beneath any fuel filler location or beneath any emergency door.

7.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment 
7.2 	retroactive to December 31, 2007 through January 1, 2012.

7.3 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.454, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
7.4 		Subd. 13.Exemption. When a vehicle otherwise qualifying as a type III vehicle 
7.5 	under section 169.011, subdivision 71, clause (5), whether owned and operated by a 
7.6 	school district or privately owned and operated, is used to transport school children in a 
7.7 	nonscheduled situation, it shall be exempt from the vehicle requirements of this section 
7.8 	and the licensing requirements of section 171.321, if the vehicle is properly registered 
7.9 	and insured and operated by an employee or agent of a school district with a valid driver's 
7.10 	license. 

7.11 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169A.03, subdivision 23, is amended to read:
7.12 		Subd. 23. School bus. "School bus" has the meaning given in section 169.011, 
7.13 	subdivision 71. In addition, the term includes type III vehicles as described defined in 
7.14 	section 169.011, subdivision 71, clause (5), when driven by employees or agents of school 
7.15 	districts. 

7.16 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 171.01, subdivision 22, is amended to read:
7.17 		Subd. 22.Commercial motor vehicle. "Commercial motor vehicle" means a motor 
7.18 	vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used to transport passengers or property if 
7.19 	the motor vehicle:
7.20 	(1) has a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds;
7.21 	(2) has a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds and the 
7.22 	combination of vehicles has a combined gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds;
7.23 	(3) is a bus;
7.24 	(4) is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials that are 
7.25 	required to be placarded under Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, parts 100-185; or
7.26 	(5) is outwardly equipped and identified as a school bus, except for type III vehicles 
7.27 	defined in section 169.011, subdivision 71, clause (5).

7.28 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 171.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
7.29 		Subd. 2.Driver's license classifications, endorsements, exemptions. (a) Drivers' 
7.30 	licenses are classified according to the types of vehicles that may be driven by the holder 
7.31 	of each type or class of license. The commissioner may, as appropriate, subdivide the 
7.32 	classes listed in this subdivision and issue licenses classified accordingly.
8.1 	(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), clauses (1) and (2), and subdivision 2a, no 
8.2 	class of license is valid to operate a motorcycle, school bus, tank vehicle, double-trailer 
8.3 	or triple-trailer combination, vehicle transporting hazardous materials, or bus, unless 
8.4 	so endorsed. There are four general classes of licenses as described in paragraphs (c) 
8.5 	through (f).
8.6 	(c) Class D drivers' licenses are valid for:
8.7 	(1) operating all farm trucks if the farm truck is:
8.8 	(i) controlled and operated by a farmer, including operation by an immediate family 
8.9 	member or an employee of the farmer;
8.10 	(ii) used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies, 
8.11 	including hazardous materials, to or from a farm;
8.12 	(iii) not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier as governed by 
8.13 	Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 365; and
8.14 	(iv) used within 150 miles of the farm;
8.15 	(2) notwithstanding paragraph (b), operating an authorized emergency vehicle, as 
8.16 	defined in section 169.011, subdivision 3, whether or not in excess of 26,000 pounds 
8.17 	gross vehicle weight;
8.18 	(3) operating a recreational vehicle as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 27, 
8.19 	that is operated for personal use;
8.20 	(4) operating all single-unit vehicles except vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 
8.21 	more than 26,000 pounds, vehicles designed to carry more than 15 passengers including 
8.22 	the driver, and vehicles that carry hazardous materials;
8.23 	(5) notwithstanding paragraph (d), operating a type A school bus or a multifunctional
8.24 	multifunction school activity bus without a school bus endorsement if:
8.25 	(i) the bus has a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less;
8.26 	(ii) the bus is designed to transport 15 or fewer passengers, including the driver; and
8.27 	(iii) the requirements of subdivision 2a are satisfied, as determined by the 
8.28 	commissioner;
8.29 	(6) operating any vehicle or combination of vehicles when operated by a licensed 
8.30 	peace officer while on duty; and
8.31 	(7) towing vehicles if:
8.32 	(i) the towed vehicles have a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less; or
8.33 	(ii) the towed vehicles have a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds and 
8.34 	the combination of vehicles has a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less.
8.35 	(d) Class C drivers' licenses are valid for:
8.36 	(1) operating class D motor vehicles;
9.1 	(2) with a hazardous materials endorsement, operating class D vehicles to transport 
9.2 	hazardous materials;
9.3 	(3) with a passenger endorsement, operating buses; and
9.4 	(4) with a passenger endorsement and school bus endorsement, operating school 
9.5 	buses.
9.6 	(e) Class B drivers' licenses are valid for:
9.7 	(1) operating all class C motor vehicles, class D motor vehicles, and all other 
9.8 	single-unit motor vehicles including, with a passenger endorsement, buses; and
9.9 	(2) towing only vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
9.10 	(f) Class A drivers' licenses are valid for operating any vehicle or combination of 
9.11 	vehicles.

9.12 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 171.02, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
9.13 		Subd. 2a.Exception for certain school bus drivers. Notwithstanding subdivision 
9.14 	2, paragraph (c) (b), the holder of a class D driver's license, without a school bus 
9.15 	endorsement, may operate a type A school bus described in subdivision 2, paragraph (b),
9.16 	or a multifunction school activity bus under the following conditions:
9.17 	(a) The operator is an employee of the entity that owns, leases, or contracts for the 
9.18 	school bus and is not solely hired to provide transportation services under this subdivision.
9.19 	(b) The operator drives the school bus only from points of origin to points of 
9.20 	destination, not including home-to-school trips to pick up or drop off students.
9.21 	(c) The operator is prohibited from using the eight-light system. Violation of this 
9.22 	paragraph is a misdemeanor.
9.23 	(d) The operator's employer has adopted and implemented a policy that provides for 
9.24 	annual training and certification of the operator in:
9.25 	(1) safe operation of the type of school bus the operator will be driving;
9.26 	(2) understanding student behavior, including issues relating to students with 
9.27 	disabilities;
9.28 	(3) encouraging orderly conduct of students on the bus and handling incidents of 
9.29 	misconduct appropriately;
9.30 	(4) knowing and understanding relevant laws, rules of the road, and local school 
9.31 	bus safety policies;
9.32 	(5) handling emergency situations; and
9.33 	(6) safe loading and unloading of students.
9.34 	(e) A background check or background investigation of the operator has been 
9.35 	conducted that meets the requirements under section 122A.18, subdivision 8, or 123B.03
10.1 	for teachers; section 144.057 or chapter 245C for day care employees; or section 171.321, 
10.2 	subdivision 3, for all other persons operating a type A school bus under this subdivision.
10.3 	(f) Operators shall submit to a physical examination as required by section 171.321, 
10.4 	subdivision 2.
10.5 	(g) The operator's driver's license is verified annually by the entity that owns, leases, 
10.6 	or contracts for the school bus.
10.7 	(h) A person who sustains a conviction, as defined under section 609.02, of violating 
10.8 	section 169A.25, 169A.26, 169A.27, 169A.31, 169A.51, or 169A.52, or a similar statute 
10.9 	or ordinance of another state is precluded from operating a school bus for five years 
10.10 	from the date of conviction.
10.11 	(i) A person who has ever been convicted of a disqualifying offense as defined in 
10.12 	section 171.3215, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), may not operate a school bus under this 
10.13 	subdivision.
10.14 	(j) A person who sustains a conviction, as defined under section 609.02, of a fourth 
10.15 	moving offense in violation of chapter 169 is precluded from operating a school bus for 
10.16 	one year from the date of the last conviction.
10.17 	(k) Students riding the school bus must have training required under section 
10.18 	123B.90, subdivision 2.
10.19 	(l) An operator must be trained in the proper use of child safety restraints as set 
10.20 	forth in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Guideline for the Safe 
10.21 	Transportation of Pre-school Age Children in School Buses," if child safety restraints are 
10.22 	used by the passengers.
10.23 	(m) Annual certification of the requirements listed in this subdivision must be 
10.24 	maintained under separate file at the business location for each operator licensed under 
10.25 	this subdivision and subdivision 2, paragraph (b), clause (5). The business manager, 
10.26 	school board, governing body of a nonpublic school, or any other entity that owns, 
10.27 	leases, or contracts for the school bus operating under this subdivision is responsible 
10.28 	for maintaining these files for inspection.
10.29 	(n) The school bus must bear a current certificate of inspection issued under section 
10.30 	169.451.
10.31 	(o) If the word "School" appears on the front and rear of the bus, the word "School"
10.32 	must be covered by a sign that reads "Activities" when the bus is being operated under 
10.33 	authority of this subdivision.
10.34 	(p) The type A-I school bus or multifunction school activity bus is designed to 
10.35 	transport 15 or fewer passengers, including the driver.
11.1 	(q) The school bus or multifunction school activity bus has a gross vehicle weight 
11.2 	rating of 14,500 pounds or less.

11.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2010.

11.4 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 171.321, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
11.5 		Subdivision 1.Endorsement. No person shall drive a school bus when transporting 
11.6 	school children to or from school or upon a school-related trip or activity without having a 
11.7 	valid class A, class B, or class C driver's license with a school bus endorsement except 
11.8 	that a person possessing a valid driver's license but not a school bus endorsement may 
11.9 	drive a type III vehicle or a school bus, subject to the requirements of section 171.02, 
11.10 	subdivisions 2, 2a, and 2b.

11.11 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 171.321, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
11.12 		Subd. 4.Training. (a) No person shall drive a class A, B, C, or D school bus when 
11.13 	transporting school children to or from school or upon a school-related trip or activity 
11.14 	without having demonstrated sufficient skills and knowledge to transport students in 
11.15 	a safe and legal manner.
11.16 	(b) A bus driver must have training or experience that allows the driver to meet at 
11.17 	least the following competencies:
11.18 	(1) safely operate the type of school bus the driver will be driving;
11.19 	(2) understand student behavior, including issues relating to students with 
11.20 	disabilities;
11.21 	(3) encourage orderly conduct of students on the bus and handle incidents of 
11.22 	misconduct appropriately;
11.23 	(4) know and understand relevant laws, rules of the road, and local school bus 
11.24 	safety policies;
11.25 	(5) handle emergency situations; and
11.26 	(6) safely load and unload students.
11.27 	(c) The commissioner of public safety shall develop a comprehensive model 
11.28 	school bus driver training program and model assessments for school bus driver training 
11.29 	competencies, which are not subject to chapter 14. A school district, nonpublic school, or 
11.30 	private contractor may use alternative assessments for bus driver training competencies 
11.31 	with the approval of the commissioner of public safety. A driver may receive at least eight 
11.32 	hours of school bus in-service training any year, as an alternative to being assessed for bus 
11.33 	driver competencies after the initial year of being assessed for bus driver competencies. 
12.1 	The employer shall keep the assessment or a record of the in-service training for the 
12.2 	current period available for inspection by representatives of the commissioner.
12.3 	(d) A school district, nonpublic school, or private contractor shall provide in-service 
12.4 	training annually to each school bus driver.

12.5 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 171.321, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
12.6 		Subd. 5.Annual evaluation and license verification. (a) A school district, 
12.7 	nonpublic school, or private contractor shall provide in-service training annually to each 
12.8 	school bus driver. For purposes of this section, "annually" means at least once every 
12.9 	380 days from the initial or previous evaluation and at least once every 380 days from 
12.10 	the initial or previous license verification.
12.11 	(b) A school district, nonpublic school, or private contractor shall annually verify 
12.12 	with the National Driver Register or with the Department of Public Safety the validity of 
12.13 	the driver's license of each employee who regularly transports students for the district in: 
12.14 	(1) a type A school bus, a type B school bus, a type C school bus, or type D school bus,; (2) 
12.15 	a multifunction school activity bus; or regularly transports students for the district in(3) a 
12.16 	type III vehicle with the National Driver Register or with the Department of Public Safety.

12.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2010.