SF 1660

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; establishing a pilot
project to provide transportation opportunities for
elderly and disabled people in greater Minnesota where
transit is limited or nonexistent; requiring a report;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin PILOT TRANSPORTATION PROJECT IN GREATER
MINNESOTA.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of transportation shall design and
implement a pilot project to increase transportation
opportunities for residents of greater Minnesota, particularly
for individuals who are elderly or disabled, or who have special
transportation needs, in areas where transit service is limited
or nonexistent.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION AND PUBLICITY.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall establish criteria for participation
in the pilot project, and shall publicize the project, criteria
for participation, and information about the application process.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPLICATION PROCESS AND AWARD OF GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall design and implement a process by
which local units of government and providers of special
transportation services, within the meaning of Minnesota
Statutes, section 174.29, subdivision 1, may apply to
participate in the pilot project. The commissioner shall award
grants to those applicants the commissioner selects as
participants.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin DUTIES OF SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS.
new text end

new text begin Local units of government and special transportation
service providers that are selected to participate in the pilot
project shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide special transportation services within the
state, outside the metropolitan area, as defined in Minnesota
Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2;
new text end

new text begin (2) provide transportation services to individuals who are
elderly or disabled, or have special transportation needs, on
days and at times when regular-route transit or other transit
services are unavailable or offer only limited availability;
new text end

new text begin (3) collect all or a portion of the fare from each
passenger, and reimburse itself from the grant proceeds for that
portion of the fare that exceeds $5 but is less than $20; and
new text end

new text begin (4) report to the commissioner concerning the provider's
disposition of the grant proceeds, number of rides and
passengers served, effectiveness of the pilot project in
expanding transportation opportunities in the area served, and
perceived remaining unmet needs for special transportation
services in the area served.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin REPORT.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall report to the chairs of the house of
representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over
transportation policy and budget on or before February 15, 2007,
concerning the implementation and effectiveness of the pilot
project and information received through the grant recipients'
reports.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin GREATER MINNESOTA TRANSIT APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Pilot project appropriation. new text end

new text begin $1,100,000
is appropriated to the commissioner of transportation from the
general fund to design and implement the special transportation
services pilot project in fiscal years 2006 and 2007. Of this
amount, up to $100,000 may be used for administration,
marketing, and program evaluation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Transit assistance appropriation. new text end

new text begin $16,600,000
in fiscal year 2006 and $16,600,000 in fiscal year 2007 is
appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
transportation for transit assistance in greater Minnesota.
new text end

Sec. 7. new text begin METROPOLITAN TRANSIT APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin $54,400,000 in fiscal year 2006 and $55,800,000 in fiscal
year 2007 is appropriated from the general fund to the
Metropolitan Council for bus operations. Of this amount,
$19,800,000 in fiscal year 2006 and $21,200,000 in fiscal year
2007 is for the operation of Metro Mobility.
new text end

Sec. 8. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 5 are effective July 1, 2005, and expire on
June 30, 2007.
new text end