SF 3084

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

A bill for an act
relating to motor vehicles; regulating low-speed vehicles; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2004, sections 168A.01, by adding a subdivision; 168A.05, by adding a
subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, sections 168.011, subdivision
7; 169.522, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 169.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 168.011, subdivision 7,
is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Passenger automobile.

(a) "Passenger automobile" means any motor
vehicle designed and used for carrying not more than 15 individuals new text begin , new text end including the driver.

(b) "Passenger automobile" does not include motorcycles, motor scooters, buses, deleted text begin or deleted text end
school buses new text begin , or commuter vans as defined in section 168.126 new text end .

(c) "Passenger automobile" includes new text begin , but is not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end pickup trucks and vans, including those vans designed to carry passengers, with a
manufacturer's nominal rated carrying capacity of one ton deleted text begin , but does not include commuter
vans as defined in section 168.126. deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (2) low-speed vehicles as defined in section 168A.01, subdivision 8c.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 168A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 8c. new text end

new text begin Low-speed vehicle. new text end

new text begin "Low-speed vehicle" means an electric-powered
passenger vehicle with four wheels and a maximum speed of between 20 and 25 miles
per hour on a paved level surface.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 168A.05, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Low-speed vehicle; certificate required. new text end

new text begin The department shall not issue a
title for a low-speed vehicle (1) lacking a vehicle identification number, or (2) for which
a manufacturer's certificate of origin clearly labeling the vehicle as a low-speed vehicle
has not been issued.
new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [169.224] LOW-SPEED VEHICLES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, "low-speed vehicle" has
the meaning given it in section 168A.01, subdivision 8c.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Required equipment. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any other law, a low-speed vehicle
may be operated on public streets and highways if it meets all equipment requirements for
low-speed vehicles in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 571.500.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Operation. new text end

new text begin A low-speed vehicle may not be operated on a street or
highway with a speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour, except to make a direct crossing
of that street or highway.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Restrictions and prohibitions. new text end

new text begin A road authority, including the
commissioner of transportation by order, may prohibit or further restrict the operation of
low-speed vehicles on a street or highway under the road authority's jurisdiction.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 169.522, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Displaying emblem; rules.

(a) All animal-drawn vehicles, motorized
golf carts when operated on designated roadways pursuant to section 169.045, new text begin low-speed
vehicles as defined in section 168A.01, subdivision 8c, new text end implements of husbandry, and
other machinery, including all road construction machinery, which are designed for
operation at a speed of 30 miles per hour or less, must display a triangular slow-moving
vehicle emblem, except (1) when being used in actual construction and maintenance
work and traveling within the limits of a construction area marked in accordance with the
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as set forth in section 169.06, or (2) for a
towed implement of husbandry that is empty and that is not self-propelled, in which case
it may be towed at lawful speeds greater than 30 miles per hour without removing the
slow-moving vehicle emblem. The emblem must consist of a fluorescent or illuminated
red-orange triangle with a dark red reflective border and be mounted so as to be visible
from a distance of not less than 600 feet to the rear. When a primary power unit towing
an implement of husbandry or other machinery displays a slow-moving vehicle emblem
visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear, it is not necessary to display a similar
emblem on the secondary unit. All slow-moving vehicle emblems sold in this state
must be so designed that when properly mounted they are visible from a distance of not
less than 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beam of headlamps
on a motor vehicle. The commissioner of public safety shall adopt standards and
specifications for the design and position of mounting the slow-moving vehicle emblem.
deleted text begin Such deleted text end new text begin The new text end standards and specifications must be adopted by rule in accordance with the
Administrative Procedure Act.

(b) An alternate slow-moving vehicle emblem consisting of a dull black triangle
with a white reflective border may be used after obtaining a permit from the commissioner
under rules of the commissioner. A person with a permit to use an alternate slow-moving
vehicle emblem must:

(1) carry in the vehicle a regular slow-moving vehicle emblem and display the
emblem when operating a vehicle between sunset and sunrise, and at any other time when
visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog, or other conditions; and

(2) permanently affix to the rear of the slow-moving vehicle at least 72 square inches
of reflective tape that reflects the color red.