1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; regulating use and operation of mini trucks on public 
1.3 	roadways;amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 169.011, by adding a 
1.4 	subdivision; 169.045.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.011, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 40a.Mini truck. (a) "Mini truck" means a motor vehicle that has four 
1.9 	wheels; is propelled by an electric motor with a rated power of 7,500 watts or less or an 
1.10 	internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of 660 cubic centimeters 
1.11 	or less; has a total dry weight of 900 to 2,200 pounds; contains an enclosed cabin and a 
1.12 	seat for the vehicle operator; commonly resembles a pickup truck or van, including a cargo 
1.13 	area or bed located at the rear of the vehicle; and was not originally manufactured to meet 
1.14 	federal motor vehicle safety standards required of motor vehicles in the Code of Federal 
1.15 	Regulations, title 49, sections 571.101 to 571.404, and successor requirements.
1.16 	(b) A mini truck does not include:
1.17 	(1) a neighborhood electric vehicle or a medium-speed electric vehicle; or
1.18 	(2) a motor vehicle that meets or exceeds the regulations in the Code of Federal 
1.19 	Regulations, title 49, section 571.500, and successor requirements.

1.20 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.045, is amended to read:
1.21 	169.045 SPECIAL VEHICLE USE ON ROADWAY.
1.22 		Subdivision 1.Designation of roadway, permit. The governing body of any 
1.23 	county, home rule charter or statutory city, or town may by ordinance authorize the 
2.1 	operation of motorized golf carts, or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles, or mini trucks, on 
2.2 	designated roadways or portions thereof under its jurisdiction. Authorization to operate 
2.3 	a motorized golf cart or, four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck  is by permit only. 
2.4 	For purposes of this section, a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle is a motorized flotation-tired 
2.5 	vehicle with four low-pressure tires that is limited in engine displacement of less than 800 
2.6 	cubic centimeters and total dry weight less than 600 pounds, and a mini truck has the 
2.7 	meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 40a.
2.8 		Subd. 2.Ordinance. The ordinance shall designate the roadways, prescribe the 
2.9 	form of the application for the permit, require evidence of insurance complying with the 
2.10 	provisions of section 65B.48, subdivision 5 and may prescribe conditions, not inconsistent 
2.11 	with the provisions of this section, under which a permit may be granted. Permits may 
2.12 	be granted for a period of not to exceed one year, and may be annually renewed. A 
2.13 	permit may be revoked at any time if there is evidence that the permittee cannot safely 
2.14 	operate the motorized golf cart or,  four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck  on the 
2.15 	designated roadways. The ordinance may require, as a condition to obtaining a permit, 
2.16 	that the applicant submit a certificate signed by a physician that the applicant is able to 
2.17 	safely operate a motorized golf cart or,  four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck  on 
2.18 	the roadways designated.  
2.19 		Subd. 3.Times of operation. Motorized golf carts and four-wheel all-terrain 
2.20 	vehicles may only be operated on designated roadways from sunrise to sunset. They shall 
2.21 	not be operated in inclement weather or when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog 
2.22 	or other conditions, or at any time when there is insufficient light to clearly see persons 
2.23 	and vehicles on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet.
2.24 		Subd. 4.Slow-moving vehicle emblem. Motorized golf carts shall display 
2.25 	the slow-moving vehicle emblem provided for in section 169.522, when operated on 
2.26 	designated roadways.  
2.27 		Subd. 5.Crossing intersecting highways. The operator, under permit, of a 
2.28 	motorized golf cart or,  four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck  may cross any street or 
2.29 	highway intersecting a designated roadway.
2.30 		Subd. 6.Application of traffic laws. Every person operating a motorized golf cart 
2.31 	or,  four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck  under permit on designated roadways has 
2.32 	all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under the provisions 
2.33 	of this chapter, except when those provisions cannot reasonably be applied to motorized 
2.34 	golf carts or,  four-wheel all-terrain vehicles, or mini trucks  and except as otherwise 
2.35 	specifically provided in subdivision 7.
3.1 		Subd. 7.Nonapplication of certain laws. The provisions of chapter 171 are 
3.2 	applicable to persons operating mini trucks, but are not applicable to persons operating 
3.3 	motorized golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles under permit on designated 
3.4 	roadways pursuant to this section. Except for the requirements of section 169.70, the 
3.5 	provisions of this chapter relating to equipment on vehicles is are not applicable to 
3.6 	motorized golf carts or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles operating, under permit, on 
3.7 	designated roadways.  
3.8 		Subd. 8.Insurance. In the event persons operating a motorized golf cart or, 
3.9 	 four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle, or mini truck  under this section cannot obtain liability 
3.10 	insurance in the private market, that person may purchase automobile insurance, including 
3.11 	no-fault coverage, from the Minnesota Automobile Assigned RiskInsurance Plan under 
3.12 	sections 65B.01 to 65B.12, at a rate to be determined by the commissioner of commerce.

3.13 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.045, is amended by adding a subdivision 
3.14 	to read:
3.15 		Subd. 7a.Required equipment on mini trucks. Notwithstanding sections 169.48 
3.16 	to 169.68, or any other law, a mini truck may be operated under permit on designated 
3.17 	roadways if it is equipped with:
3.18 	(1) at least two headlamps;
3.19 	(2) at least two taillamps;
3.20 	(3) front and rear turn-signal lamps;
3.21 	(4) an exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side of the vehicle and either (i) an 
3.22 	exterior mirror mounted on the passenger's side of the vehicle or (ii) an interior mirror;
3.23 	(5) a windshield;
3.24 	(6) a seat belt for the driver and front passenger; and
3.25 	(7) a parking brake.

3.26 	Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 3.27 	This act is effective August 1, 2009, and expires on July 31, 2012.