SF 1797

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; amending definitions of special transportation service
and small vehicle passenger service; requiring annual report on complaints;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 174.30, subdivisions 4, 9; 221.011,
subdivision 49.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.30, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Vehicle and equipment inspection new text begin , rules new text end ; decal new text begin ; complaint contact
information new text end .

(a) The commissioner shall inspect or provide for the inspection of
vehicles at least annually. In addition to scheduled annual inspections and reinspections
scheduled for the purpose of verifying that deficiencies have been corrected, unannounced
inspections of any vehicle may be conducted.

(b) On determining that a vehicle or vehicle equipment is in a condition that is likely
to cause an accident or breakdown, the commissioner shall require the vehicle to be taken
out of service immediately. The commissioner shall require that vehicles and equipment
not meeting standards be repaired and brought into conformance with the standards
and shall require written evidence of compliance from the operator before allowing the
operator to return the vehicle to service.

(c) The commissioner shall provide in the rules procedures for inspecting vehicles,
removing unsafe vehicles from service, determining and requiring compliance, and
reviewing driver qualifications.

(d) The commissioner shall design a distinctive decal to be issued to special
transportation service providers with a current certificate of compliance under this section.
A decal is valid for one year from the last day of the month in which it is issued. A person
who is subject to the operating standards adopted under this section may not provide
special transportation service in a vehicle that does not conspicuously display a decal
issued by the commissioner.

new text begin (e) Special transportation service providers shall prominently display in each vehicle
all contact information for the submission of complaints regarding the transportation
services provided to that individual. All vehicles providing service under section
473.386 shall display contact information for the Metropolitan Council. All other special
transportation service vehicles shall display contact information for the commissioner of
transportation.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.30, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

deleted text begin Complaint data; deleted text end new text begin Complaints; report; data new text end classification.

new text begin (a) The
commissioner shall investigate all complaints over which the commissioner has
jurisdiction regarding special transportation service providers regulated under this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) By January 15, 2008, and in every subsequent even-numbered year by
January 15, the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the house of representatives and senate committees having jurisdiction over
transportation policy and finance. The report must identify each complaint investigated
by the commissioner under paragraph (a), including but not limited to any findings and
steps taken for resolution of the complaint.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end When information is furnished to the Department of Transportation that alleges
a violation of this section, an operating standard adopted under this section, or section
174.315, the following data are classified as confidential data or protected nonpublic data:

(1) names of complainants;

(2) complaint letters; and

(3) other unsolicited data when furnished by a person who is not the subject of the
data and who is not a department employee.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 221.011, subdivision 49, is amended to read:

Subd. 49.

Small vehicle passenger service.

(a) "Small vehicle passenger service"
means a service provided by a person engaged in the for-hire transportation of passengers new text begin , new text end
in a vehicle designed to transport seven or fewer persons, including the driver.

(b) In the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, "small
vehicle passenger service" also includes for-hire transportation of persons who are certified
by the Metropolitan Council to use special transportation service provided under section
473.386, in a vehicle designed to transport not more than 15 persons including the driver,
that is equipped with a wheelchair lift and at least three wheelchair securement positions.

new text begin (c) A person providing small vehicle passenger service to an individual for the
purpose of obtaining nonemergency medical care and who receives reimbursement under
section 256B.0625, subdivision 17, for providing the service, must comply with the rules
of the commissioner adopted under section 174.30.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin This act is effective July 1, 2007.
new text end