SF 732

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:15am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; providing discount metropolitan transit passes to
charitable organizations; requiring report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008,
section 473.408, by adding a subdivision; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2008,
section 473.387, subdivision 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 473.408, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8a. new text end

new text begin Self-sufficiency discount passes. new text end

new text begin (a) The council shall offer passes,
including tokens, for regular route bus service for sale to eligible charitable organizations
at 50 percent of regular fares. For the purposes of this subdivision, "eligible charitable
organization" means a charitable organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code that also meets at least one of the following criteria:
new text end

new text begin (1) the organization administers a job placement program; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the organization provides services for homeless persons.
new text end

new text begin (b) All passes sold to eligible charitable organizations under this subdivision must be
distributed to and used solely by individuals who lack private means of transportation and
who are homeless or seeking employment.
new text end

new text begin (c) There is no limit on the number of passes that an eligible charitable organization
may purchase under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (d) The council shall promote and publicize the passes provided under this
subdivision on an ongoing basis to eligible charitable organizations.
new text end

new text begin (e) The council shall utilize all available funds, including nonstate and federal funds,
to support the sale of passes under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (f) By January 15, 2010, the chair of the Metropolitan Council shall prepare and
submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of
representatives committees having jurisdiction over transportation. The chair shall prepare
and submit the report with existing agency staff and resources. The report must:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide a list of sales made under this subdivision, including organization name
and number of passes purchased;
new text end

new text begin (2) describe efforts to publicize to eligible charitable organizations the discounted
passes under this subdivision; and
new text end

new text begin (3) describe any efforts to secure additional nonstate funds to support the sale of
passes under this subdivision.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 473.387, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 and 2 are effective July 1, 2009.
new text end