SF 3502

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/16/2018 08:56am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; modifying certain school bus lighting requirements;
governing supplemental warning systems; providing for use of certain funds;
making technical changes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 123B.595,
subdivisions 2, 7, 8, 8a, 9, 10; 126C.44; 169.442, by adding a subdivision; 169.448,
subdivision 1; 169.4503, subdivision 13, by adding a subdivision; 169.55,
subdivision 1; 169.57, subdivision 3; 169.64, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision;
Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, sections 123B.595, subdivisions 1, 4;
169.442, subdivision 5; 169.64, subdivision 8.

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

ARTICLE 1

SUPPLEMENTAL WARNING SYSTEM

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.442, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Supplemental warning system. new text end

new text begin In addition to the signals required under
subdivision 1, a type A, B, C, or D school bus may be equipped with a supplemental warning
system that meets the specifications under section 169.4503, subdivision 31.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.4503, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 31. new text end

new text begin Supplemental warning system. new text end

new text begin (a) All buses manufactured on or after August
1, 2021, must be equipped with a supplemental warning system.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must establish standard specifications for supplemental warning
systems. At a minimum, the standard specifications must identify requirements governing:
new text end

new text begin (1) signal colors, which are limited to one or more of the colors white, amber, and red;
new text end

new text begin (2) permissible flashing patterns;
new text end

new text begin (3) vehicle mounting and placement;
new text end

new text begin (4) supplemental warning system activation in conjunction with activation of prewarning
flashing amber signals, stop-signal arm, and flashing red signals;
new text end

new text begin (5) minimum light intensity; and
new text end

new text begin (6) permissible text, signage, and graphics, if any.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must develop the standard specifications for supplemental warning
systems based on relevant research findings, experience in other jurisdictions, and
consultation with interested stakeholders, including but not limited to representatives from
school district pupil transportation directors, private school bus operators, and pupil
transportation and traffic safety associations.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

FINANCE

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 123B.595, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Long-term facilities maintenance revenue.

deleted text begin (a) For fiscal year 2017
only, long-term facilities maintenance revenue equals the greater of (1) the sum of (i) $193
times the district's adjusted pupil units times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's
average building age to 35 years, plus the cost approved by the commissioner for indoor
air quality, fire alarm and suppression, and asbestos abatement projects under section
123B.57, subdivision 6, with an estimated cost of $100,000 or more per site, plus (ii) for a
school district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 124D.151,
the cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling existing instructional space to
accommodate prekindergarten instruction, or (2) the sum of (i) the amount the district would
have qualified for under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.57, Minnesota Statutes
2014, section 123B.59, and Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.591, and (ii) for a school
district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 124D.151, the
cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling existing instructional space to
accommodate prekindergarten instruction.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end For fiscal year 2018 only, long-term facilities maintenance revenue equals the
greater of (1) the sum of (i) $292 times the district's adjusted pupil units times the lesser of
one or the ratio of the district's average building age to 35 years, plus (ii) the cost approved
by the commissioner for indoor air quality, fire alarm and suppression, and asbestos
abatement projects under section 123B.57, subdivision 6, with an estimated cost of $100,000
or more per site, plus (iii) for a school district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten
program under section 124D.151, the cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling
existing instructional space to accommodate prekindergarten instruction, or (2) the sum of
(i) the amount the district would have qualified for under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section
123B.57, Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59, and Minnesota Statutes 2014, section
123B.591, and (ii) for a school district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten program
under section 124D.151, the cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling existing
instructional space to accommodate prekindergarten instruction.

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end For fiscal year 2019 and later, long-term facilities maintenance revenue equals
the greater of (1) the sum of (i) $380 times the district's adjusted pupil units times the lesser
of one or the ratio of the district's average building age to 35 years, plus (ii) the cost approved
by the commissioner for indoor air quality, fire alarm and suppression, and asbestos
abatement projects under section 123B.57, subdivision 6, with an estimated cost of $100,000
or more per site, plus (iii) for a school district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten
program under section 124D.151, the cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling
existing instructional space to accommodate prekindergarten instruction, or (2) the sum of
(i) the amount the district would have qualified for under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section
123B.57, Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59, and Minnesota Statutes 2014, section
123B.591, and (ii) for a school district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten program
under section 124D.151, the cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling existing
instructional space to accommodate prekindergarten instruction.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin and new text end (b), deleted text begin and (c), deleted text end a school district that qualified
for eligibility under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59, subdivision 1, paragraph
(a), for fiscal year 2010 remains eligible for funding under this section as a district that
would have qualified for eligibility under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59,
subdivision 1, paragraph (a), for fiscal year 2017 and later.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.595, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Long-term facilities maintenance revenue for a charter school.

deleted text begin (a) For fiscal
year 2017 only, long-term facilities maintenance revenue for a charter school equals $34
times the adjusted pupil units.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end For fiscal year 2018 only, long-term facilities maintenance revenue for a charter
school equals $85 times the adjusted pupil units.

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end For fiscal year 2019 and later, long-term facilities maintenance revenue for a
charter school equals $132 times the adjusted pupil units.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 123B.595, subdivision 4, is amended
to read:

Subd. 4.

Facilities plans.

(a) To qualify for revenue under this section, a school district
or intermediate district, not including a charter school, must have a ten-year facility plan
adopted by the school board and approved by the commissioner. The plan must include
provisions for implementing a health and safety program that complies with health, safety,
and environmental regulations and best practices, including indoor air quality management
and remediation of lead hazards. new text begin The plan must also include provisions to improve the safety
and visibility of school district owned school buses, school district operated school buses,
and contracted school buses.
new text end

(b) The district must annually update the plan, submit the plan to the commissioner for
approval by July 31, and indicate whether the district will issue bonds to finance the plan
or levy for the costs.

(c) For school districts issuing bonds to finance the plan, the plan must include a debt
service schedule demonstrating that the debt service revenue required to pay the principal
and interest on the bonds each year will not exceed the projected long-term facilities revenue
for that year.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.595, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Long-term facilities maintenance equalization revenue.

deleted text begin (a) For fiscal year
2017 only, a district's long-term facilities maintenance equalization revenue equals the lesser
of (1) $193 times the adjusted pupil units or (2) the district's revenue under subdivision 1.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end For fiscal year 2018 only, a district's long-term facilities maintenance equalization
revenue equals the lesser of (1) $292 times the adjusted pupil units or (2) the district's
revenue under subdivision 1.

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end For fiscal year 2019 and later, a district's long-term facilities maintenance
equalization revenue equals the lesser of (1) $380 times the adjusted pupil units or (2) the
district's revenue under subdivision 1.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) deleted text begin to (c) deleted text end new text begin and (b) new text end , a district's long-term facilities
maintenance equalization revenue must not be less than the lesser of the district's long-term
facilities maintenance revenue or the amount of aid the district received for fiscal year 2015
under new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, new text end section 123B.59, subdivision 6.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.595, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Long-term facilities maintenance equalized levy.

(a) deleted text begin For fiscal year 2017
and later, deleted text end A district's long-term facilities maintenance equalized levy equals the district's
long-term facilities maintenance equalization revenue minus the greater of:

(1) the lesser of the district's long-term facilities maintenance equalization revenue or
the amount of aid the district received for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2014,
section 123B.59, subdivision 6; or

(2) the district's long-term facilities maintenance equalization revenue times the greater
of (i) zero or (ii) one minus the ratio of its adjusted net tax capacity per adjusted pupil unit
in the year preceding the year the levy is certified to 123 percent of the state average adjusted
net tax capacity per adjusted pupil unit for all school districts in the year preceding the year
the levy is certified.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "adjusted net tax capacity" means the value described
in section 126C.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (b).

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.595, subdivision 8a, is amended to read:

Subd. 8a.

Long-term facilities maintenance unequalized levy.

deleted text begin For fiscal year 2017
and later, deleted text end A district's long-term facilities maintenance unequalized levy equals the difference
between the district's revenue under subdivision 1 and the district's equalization revenue
under subdivision 7.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.595, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Long-term facilities maintenance equalized aid.

deleted text begin For fiscal year 2017 and
later, deleted text end A district's long-term facilities maintenance equalized aid equals its long-term facilities
maintenance equalization revenue minus its long-term facilities maintenance equalized levy
times the ratio of the actual equalized amount levied to the permitted equalized levy.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.595, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Allowed uses for long-term facilities maintenance revenue.

(a) A district
may use revenue under this section for any of the following:

(1) deferred capital expenditures and maintenance projects necessary to prevent further
erosion of facilities;

(2) increasing accessibility of school facilities;

(3) health and safety capital projects under section 123B.57; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

new text begin (4) school bus safety and visibility under paragraph (c); or
new text end

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end by board resolution, to transfer money from the general fund reserve for long-term
facilities maintenance to the debt redemption fund to pay the amounts needed to meet, when
due, principal and interest on general obligation bonds issued under subdivision 5.

(b) A charter school may use revenue under this section for any purpose related to the
school new text begin or its school bus operations new text end .

new text begin (c) A school district's eligible bus safety costs include the costs of supplemental warning
systems meeting the requirements under section 169.4503, subdivision 31, for new and
existing school buses.
new text end

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding subdivisions 5 and 12, each school district and charter school must
reserve at least $2, but no more than $5, per pupil unit for school bus supplemental warning
systems each year. A school district or charter school that contracts for all or part of its pupil
transportation services must annually transfer a proportional share of the reserved revenue
to its school bus contractors for supplemental warning systems on contracted school buses.
A school district or charter school is not required to reserve revenue under this paragraph
if in any year the entire school bus fleet, whether owned or contracted, is equipped with
supplemental warning systems.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 126C.44, is amended to read:

126C.44 SAFE SCHOOLS LEVY.

(a) Each district may make a levy on all taxable property located within the district for
the purposes specified in this section. The maximum amount which may be levied for all
costs under this section shall be equal to $36 multiplied by the district's adjusted pupil units
for the school year. The proceeds of the levy must be reserved and used for directly funding
the following purposes or for reimbursing the cities and counties who contract with the
district for the following purposes:

(1) to pay the costs incurred for the salaries, benefits, and transportation costs of peace
officers and sheriffs for liaison in services in the district's schools;

(2) to pay the costs for a drug abuse prevention program as defined in section 609.101,
subdivision 3, paragraph (e), in the elementary schools;

(3) to pay the costs for a gang resistance education training curriculum in the district's
schools;

(4) to pay the costs for security in the district's schools and on school property;

(5) to pay the costs for other crime prevention, drug abuse, student and staff safety,
voluntary opt-in suicide prevention tools, and violence prevention measures taken by the
school district;

(6) to pay costs for licensed school counselors, licensed school nurses, licensed school
social workers, licensed school psychologists, and licensed alcohol and chemical dependency
counselors to help provide early responses to problems;

(7) to pay for facility security enhancements including laminated glass, public
announcement systems, emergency communications devices, and equipment and facility
modifications related to violence prevention and facility security;

(8) to pay for costs associated with improving the school climate; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(9) to pay costs for colocating and collaborating with mental health professionals who
are not district employees or contractors deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (10) to pay for the eligible school bus safety costs under paragraph (d).
new text end

(b) For expenditures under paragraph (a), clause (1), the district must initially attempt
to contract for services to be provided by peace officers or sheriffs with the police department
of each city or the sheriff's department of the county within the district containing the school
receiving the services. If a local police department or a county sheriff's department does
not wish to provide the necessary services, the district may contract for these services with
any other police or sheriff's department located entirely or partially within the school district's
boundaries.

(c) A school district that is a member of an intermediate school district may include in
its authority under this section the costs associated with safe schools activities authorized
under paragraph (a) for intermediate school district programs. This authority must not exceed
$15 times the adjusted pupil units of the member districts. This authority is in addition to
any other authority authorized under this section. Revenue raised under this paragraph must
be transferred to the intermediate school district.

new text begin (d) A school district's eligible bus safety costs include:
new text end

new text begin (1) actual costs to purchase, install, and retrofit a supplemental warning system that
meets the requirements under section 169.4503, subdivision 31, on the school district's
existing school buses; and
new text end

new text begin (2) for taxes payable in 2022 and later, the additional marginal cost of supplemental
warning systems, as determined by the commissioner of education, for each school bus
purchased by the district or its school bus contractor that has a supplemental warning system.
new text end

new text begin (e) A school district that contracts for pupil transportation services and receives revenue
under paragraph (d) for a supplemental warning system on a contracted bus must transfer
the revenue attributable to the cost of the supplemental warning system to its school bus
contractor.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for taxes payable in 2018 and later.
new text end

ARTICLE 3

CONFORMING AND TECHNICAL CHANGES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 169.442, subdivision 5, is amended
to read:

Subd. 5.

White strobe lamps on certain buses transporting children.

deleted text begin Notwithstanding
section 169.55, subdivision 1, or 169.57, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), or other law to the
contrary, deleted text end A school bus deleted text begin that is subject to and complies with the equipment requirements of
subdivision 1 and section 169.441, subdivision 1, deleted text end or a Head Start bus deleted text begin , deleted text end may be equipped
with a flashing strobe lamp new text begin as provided in section 169.64, subdivision 8 new text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.448, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Restrictions on appearance; misdemeanor.

(a) A bus that is not used
as a school bus may not be operated on a street or highway unless it is painted a color
significantly different than national school bus glossy yellow.

(b) A bus that is not used as a school bus or Head Start bus may not be operated if it is
equipped with school bus or Head Start bus-related equipment and printing.

(c) A violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.

(d) This subdivision does not apply to a school bus owned by or under contract to a
school district operated as a charter or leased bus.

(e) This subdivision does not apply to a school bus operated by a licensed child care
provider if:

(1) the deleted text begin stop deleted text end new text begin stop-signal new text end arm is removed;

(2) the deleted text begin eight-light system is deleted text end new text begin lighting systems for prewarning flashing amber signals,
flashing red signals, and supplemental warnings under section 169.4503, subdivision 31,
are new text end deactivated;

(3) the school bus is identified as a "child care bus" in letters at least eight inches high
on the front and rear top of the bus;

(4) the name, address, and telephone number of the owner or operator of the bus is
identified on each front door of the bus in letters not less than three inches high; and

(5) the conditions under section 171.02, subdivision 2a, paragraphs (a) deleted text begin through deleted text end new text begin to new text end (j) deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin
and new text end (l), deleted text begin and (n), deleted text end have been met.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.4503, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Identification.

(a) Each bus deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end , in the beltline, identify the school
district serviced, or company name, or owner of the bus. Numbers necessary for identification
must appear on the sides and rear of the bus. Symbols or letters may be used on the outside
of the bus near the entrance door for student identification. A manufacturer's nameplate or
logo may be placed on the bus.

(b) deleted text begin Effective December 31, 1994, deleted text end All type A, B, C, and D buses sold must display
lettering "Unlawful to pass when red lights are flashing" on the rear of the bus. The lettering
deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be in two-inch black letters on school bus yellow background. This message deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin
must new text end be displayed directly below the upper window of the rear door. On rear engine buses,
it deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be centered at approximately the same location. Only signs and lettering
approved or required by state law deleted text begin may deleted text end new text begin are permitted to new text end be displayed.

new text begin (c) The requirements of paragraph (b) do not apply to a type A, B, C, or D school bus
that is equipped with a changeable electronic message sign on the rear of the bus that:
new text end

new text begin (1) displays one or more of the messages: "Caution / stopping," "Unlawful to pass,"
"Stop / do not pass," or similar messages approved by the commissioner;
new text end

new text begin (2) displays messages in conjunction with bus operation and activation of prewarning
flashing amber signals, stop-signal arm, or flashing red signals, as appropriate; and
new text end

new text begin (3) meets the supplemental warning system specifications under section 169.4503,
subdivision 31.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.55, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Lights or reflectors required.

At the times when lighted lamps on
vehicles are required each vehicle including an animal-drawn vehicle and any vehicle
specifically excepted in sections 169.47 to 169.79, with respect to equipment and not
hereinbefore specifically required to be equipped with lamps, shall be equipped with one
or more lighted lamps or lanterns projecting a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet
to the front of the vehicle and with a lamp or lantern exhibiting a red light visible from a
distance of 500 feet to the rear, except that reflectors meeting the maximum requirements
of this chapter may be used in lieu of the lights required in this subdivision. deleted text begin It shall be
unlawful except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, to project a white light to the
rear of any such vehicle while traveling on any street or highway, unless such vehicle is
moving in reverse. A lighting device mounted on top of a vehicle engaged in deliveries to
residences may project a white light to the rear if the sign projects one or more additional
colors to the rear. An authorized emergency vehicle may display an oscillating, alternating,
or rotating white light used in connection with an oscillating, alternating, or rotating red
light when responding to emergency calls.
deleted text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.57, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Maintenance.

(a) When a vehicle is equipped with stop lamps or signal lamps,
deleted text begin such deleted text end new text begin the new text end lamps deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end at all times be maintained in good working condition.

deleted text begin (b) No stop lamps or signal lamp shall project a glaring or dazzling light.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end All mechanical signal devices deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be self-illumined when in use at the
times when lighted lamps on vehicles are required.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.64, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Flashing lights new text begin ; glaring lights new text end .

new text begin (a) new text end Flashing lights are prohibited, except new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end on an authorized emergency vehicle, school bus, bicycle as provided in section
169.222, subdivision 6, road maintenance equipment, tow truck or towing vehicle new text begin as provided
in section 168B.16 new text end , service vehicle, farm tractor, self-propelled farm equipment, rural mail
carrier vehicle, new text begin or new text end funeral home vehicle deleted text begin , or deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) new text end on any vehicle as a means of indicating a right or left turn, or the presence of a
vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (3) as otherwise provided in this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text end All flashing warning lights deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be of the type authorized by section 169.59,
subdivision 4, unless otherwise permitted or required in this chapter.

new text begin (c) A stop lamp or signal lamp is prohibited from projecting a glaring or dazzling light,
except for:
new text end

new text begin (1) strobe lamps as provided under subdivision 8 or section 169.59, subdivision 4; or
new text end

new text begin (2) a school bus equipped with a supplemental warning system under section 169.4503,
subdivision 31.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.64, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin White light. new text end

new text begin (a) It is unlawful to project a white light at the rear of a vehicle
while traveling on any street or highway, except:
new text end

new text begin (1) for a vehicle moving in reverse;
new text end

new text begin (2) for a school bus equipped with a supplemental warning system under section
169.4503, subdivision 31;
new text end

new text begin (3) for a strobe lamp as provided under subdivision 8;
new text end

new text begin (4) as required for license plate illumination under section 169.50, subdivision 2;
new text end

new text begin (5) as provided in section 169.59, subdivision 4; and
new text end

new text begin (6) as otherwise provided in this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (b) A lighting device mounted on top of a vehicle engaged in deliveries to residences
may project a white light to the rear if the sign projects one or more additional colors to the
rear.
new text end

new text begin (c) An authorized emergency vehicle may display an oscillating, alternating, or rotating
white light used in connection with an oscillating, alternating, or rotating red light when
responding to emergency calls.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 169.64, subdivision 8, is amended
to read:

Subd. 8.

Strobe lamp.

(a) Notwithstanding deleted text begin sections 169.55, subdivision 1; 169.57,
subdivision 3, paragraph (b); or deleted text end any other law to the contrary, a vehicle may be equipped
with a 360-degree flashing strobe lamp that emits a white light with a flash rate of 60 to
120 flashes a minute, and the lamp may be used as provided in this subdivision, if the vehicle
is:

(1) a school bus that is subject to and complies with the equipment requirements of deleted text begin
sections 169.441, subdivision 1, and deleted text end new text begin section new text end 169.442, subdivision 1, or a Head Start bus.
The lamp must operate from a separate switch containing an indicator lamp to show when
the strobe lamp is in use; or

(2) a road maintenance vehicle owned or under contract to the Department of
Transportation or a road authority of a county, home rule or statutory city, or town, but the
strobe lamp may only be operated while the vehicle is actually engaged in snow removal
during daylight hours.

(b) Notwithstanding deleted text begin sections 169.55, subdivision 1; 169.57, subdivision 3, paragraph
(b); or deleted text end any other law to the contrary, a vehicle may be equipped with a 360-degree flashing
strobe lamp that emits an amber light with a flash rate of 60 to 120 flashes a minute, and
the lamp may be used as provided in this subdivision, if the vehicle is a rural mail carrier
vehicle, provided that the strobe lamp is mounted at the highest practicable point on the
vehicle. The strobe lamp may only be operated while the vehicle is actually engaged during
daylight hours in the delivery of mail to residents on a rural mail route.

(c) A strobe lamp authorized by this deleted text begin section shall deleted text end new text begin subdivision must new text end be of a double flash
type certified to the commissioner of public safety by the manufacturer as being weatherproof
and having deleted text begin a minimum deleted text end new text begin an new text end effective light output deleted text begin of 200 candelas as measured by the
Blondel-Rey formula deleted text end new text begin that meets or exceeds the most recent version of SAE International
standard J845, Class 2, or a subsequent standard new text end .