Minnesota Legislature
HF 1242
as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 03/10/2025 04:48pm
Bill Text Versions
| Engrossments | ||
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| Introduction | Posted on 02/19/2025 |
Current Version - as introduced
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A bill for an act
relating to transportation; providing for commercial transportation; establishing a
commercial driver training assistance program; appropriating money; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 171.01, by adding a subdivision; 171.13,
subdivision 8; 171.3213; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 171.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:
new text begin Subd. 45e. new text end
new text begin Road test. new text end
new text begin
"Road test" means the actual physical demonstration of skills and
ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle. As
appropriate, a road test includes demonstration of ability to perform an inspection of a
vehicle and equipment.
new text end
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.13, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8.
Test scheduling.
The commissioner must not schedule or reserve recurring
time with a public, private, or commercial driver education program for purposes of
administering deleted text begin skills ordeleted text end road tests to a class D deleted text begin or commercialdeleted text end driver's license applicant.
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.3213, is amended to read:
171.3213 THIRD-PARTY TESTING OF deleted text begin SCHOOL BUSdeleted text end new text begin CERTAINnew text end DRIVERS.
new text begin (a) new text end A school district that is a third-party testing program and owns or operates school
buses may enter into an agreement with other school districts tonew text begin administer the roadnew text end testnew text begin fornew text end
the other districts' school bus driver employees. A school bus company that is a third-party
testing program and owns or operates school buses may enter into an agreement with other
school bus companies tonew text begin administer the roadnew text end testnew text begin fornew text end the other companies' school bus driver
employees.
new text begin
(b) A third-party testing program may enter into an agreement with a public, private, or
commercial driver education program to administer the road test for a commercial driver's
license, and any necessary associated endorsements, to a student enrolled at the driver
education program.
new text end
new text begin (c)new text end A third-party testing programnew text begin that performs testing under this sectionnew text end may be
reimbursed by the tested driver's school district deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin , school busnew text end companynew text begin , or driver education
programnew text end .
new text begin (d)new text end The agreementnew text begin under this sectionnew text end must be submitted to the commissioner for approval.
A certified third-party tester must be employed by deleted text begin a school district or a school bus company
providingdeleted text end new text begin the third-party testing program that providesnew text end the testing services.
Sec. 4.
new text begin
[171.45] COMMERCIAL DRIVER TRAINING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
new text end
new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Definitions. new text end
new text begin
(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end
new text begin
(b) "Award recipient" means an individual who receives an award of financial assistance
under the program.
new text end
new text begin
(c) "CDL training" means education and training for purposes of an individual to operate
a motor vehicle under a commercial driver's license or related endorsement.
new text end
new text begin
(d) "Commercial driver training school" has the meaning given in section 171.33,
subdivision 1.
new text end
new text begin
(e) "Driver training school" means a commercial driver training school or a postsecondary
school that provides CDL training.
new text end
new text begin
(f) "Postsecondary school" means a postsecondary college or university that provides a
driver education program that is exempt from approval or licensure by the commissioner
under rules adopted by the commissioner.
new text end
new text begin
(g) "Program" means the commercial driver training assistance program established in
this section.
new text end
new text begin
(h) "Registered employer" means an employer that the commissioner has registered as
a participant in the program.
new text end
new text begin
(i) "Registered provider" means a driver training school that the commissioner has
registered as a participant in the program.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Program establishment. new text end
new text begin
Subject to available funds, the commissioner must
implement a commercial driver training assistance program to provide financial support for
individuals to receive education and training to operate a motor vehicle under a commercial
driver's license or related endorsement.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 3. new text end
new text begin Program administration. new text end
new text begin
(a) The commissioner must establish program
requirements in conformance with this section, which must include but is not limited to:
new text end
new text begin
(1) establishing procedures to allocate financial assistance on a first-come, first-served
basis to:
new text end
new text begin
(i) an individual under subdivision 8; or
new text end
new text begin
(ii) a motor carrier under subdivision 9;
new text end
new text begin
(2) publishing a manual on the program that describes requirements and procedures;
new text end
new text begin
(3) establishing standards for calculation of stipends for living expenses; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) maintaining functionality and information for the program on the department's website
that includes:
new text end
new text begin
(i) an overview of the program;
new text end
new text begin
(ii) a summary of expenditures and awards of financial assistance;
new text end
new text begin
(iii) methods for submission of applications under subdivisions 4 to 6;
new text end
new text begin
(iv) listings of registered providers and registered employers, with appropriate detail
and descriptions; and
new text end
new text begin
(v) methods for submission of reports under subdivision 11.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner must not expend more than three percent of funds made available
in a fiscal year under this section on program administration.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 4. new text end
new text begin Eligibility for assistance. new text end
new text begin
To be eligible to receive financial assistance under
the program, an individual must:
new text end
new text begin
(1) submit an application for financial assistance that is approved by the commissioner,
which must include:
new text end
new text begin
(i) identification of at least two motor carriers with whom the applicant has performed
a job shadow involving operation of a commercial motor vehicle; and
new text end
new text begin
(ii) a summary of work plans or career pathway goals involving commercial driving;
new text end
new text begin
(2) possess a valid Minnesota driver's license;
new text end
new text begin
(3) be a citizen of the United States;
new text end
new text begin
(4) be a resident of this state;
new text end
new text begin
(5) be 18 years of age or older;
new text end
new text begin
(6) meet the requirements of an applicant for a class A, class B, or class C commercial
driver's license under section 171.162; and
new text end
new text begin
(7) not have had a driver's license suspended or revoked for a driving-related violation
within the last five years.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 5. new text end
new text begin Driver training schools. new text end
new text begin
To be a registered provider, a driver training school
must:
new text end
new text begin
(1) submit a registration application to the commissioner;
new text end
new text begin
(2) provide CDL training in compliance with the requirements under Code of Federal
Regulations, title 49, part 380, subpart F, or successor requirements;
new text end
new text begin
(3) be listed on the training provider registry maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) be in good standing, as determined by the commissioner.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 6. new text end
new text begin Employers. new text end
new text begin
To be a registered employer, an employer must:
new text end
new text begin
(1) submit a registration application to the commissioner;
new text end
new text begin
(2) agree to:
new text end
new text begin
(i) provide or participate in job shadowing, ride-alongs, and career exploration events;
and
new text end
new text begin
(ii) submit information to the commissioner on individuals and activities involved under
item (i);
new text end
new text begin
(3) offer supplemental driver instruction or another form of entry-level driver support
for the first year of an award recipient's employment; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) unless the employer is self-insured, provide an approval from an insurer that the
employer may hire a person who has recently obtained a commercial driver's license.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 7. new text end
new text begin Applications; denials; removals. new text end
new text begin
(a) An application submitted under
subdivisions 4 to 6 must be in the form and manner specified by the commissioner.
new text end
new text begin
(b) Following a registration application submitted under subdivision 5 or 6, the
commissioner must register or deny registration for the applicant. On a determination of
good cause, the commissioner may remove a registered provider or a registered employer.
The commissioner must establish a process for an applicant, registered provider, or registered
employer to initiate a review of the denial or removal.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 8. new text end
new text begin Financial assistance; awards to individuals. new text end
new text begin
(a) The commissioner may only
award financial assistance to an individual who:
new text end
new text begin
(1) meets the requirements under subdivision 4;
new text end
new text begin
(2) receives CDL training from a registered provider; and
new text end
new text begin
(3) agrees to the terms of financial assistance and repayment established by the
commissioner as provided under subdivision 10.
new text end
new text begin
(b) Subject to available funds, the amount awarded to an individual must equal:
new text end
new text begin
(1) the total customarily charged by the registered provider for education and training
specifically related to a commercial driver's license, which may include but is not limited
to tuition, books and course materials, and associated fees; plus
new text end
new text begin
(2) a stipend for reasonable living expenses, as determined by the commissioner; less
new text end
new text begin
(3) any amount of financial aid or deductions that are reasonably applicable to reduce
the total that would otherwise be charged for the training and education.
new text end
new text begin
(c) The commissioner may make payments to an award recipient or to a registered
provider who provides driver training to an award recipient.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 9. new text end
new text begin Financial assistance; reimbursement to motor carriers. new text end
new text begin
(a) A motor carrier
is eligible to receive financial assistance under the program.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner may only provide reimbursement to a motor carrier that:
new text end
new text begin
(1) submits a request for reimbursement that is approved by the commissioner;
new text end
new text begin
(2) is a private driver training school that provides CDL training and meets the
requirements under subdivision 5, clauses (2) to (4);
new text end
new text begin
(3) is a registered employer; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) agrees to the terms of financial assistance and repayment established by the
commissioner as provided under subdivision 10.
new text end
new text begin
(c) Subject to available funds, the amount of reimbursement must equal the costs
customarily incurred by the motor carrier for CDL training of only those individuals who
meet the requirements under subdivision 4, clauses (2) to (7), which include but are not
limited to instructor salaries, books and course materials, vehicle maintenance and operating
costs, fuel, and insurance.
new text end
new text begin
(d) The reimbursement under paragraph (c) must not exceed $....... per individual.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 10. new text end
new text begin Financial assistance; terms and repayment. new text end
new text begin
(a) The commissioner must
establish terms of financial assistance and repayment that include requiring that the applicable
individual:
new text end
new text begin
(1) successfully completes driver training with a registered provider or a motor carrier
under subdivision 9;
new text end
new text begin
(2) is issued a commercial driver's license within six months of training completion
under clause (1);
new text end
new text begin
(3) is employed with one or more registered employers for a total period of at least one
year in a position that requires a commercial driver's license, which must occur within 24
months of training completion under clause (1); and
new text end
new text begin
(4) does not lose motor vehicle operating privileges during the period under clauses (1)
to (3).
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner must establish requirements and a schedule for prorated repayment
of financial assistance for an applicable individual who does not meet the terms under
paragraph (a).
new text end
new text begin Subd. 11. new text end
new text begin Reporting. new text end
new text begin
(a) The following entities must submit quarterly reporting
information in the form and manner specified by the commissioner:
new text end
new text begin
(1) an award recipient;
new text end
new text begin
(2) a registered provider that provides education and training to an award recipient;
new text end
new text begin
(3) a registered employer that employs an award recipient; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) a motor carrier that receives financial assistance.
new text end
new text begin
(b) Reports are required under paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (2), during the period that
an award recipient receives financial assistance. Reports are required under paragraph (a),
clause (3), for a period of one year following initial hiring of an award recipient. Reports
are required under paragraph (a), clause (4), for a period of one year following completion
of driver training.
new text end
Sec. 5. new text begin APPROPRIATION; COMMERCIAL DRIVER TRAINING ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM.
new text end
new text begin
(a) $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of transportation for the commercial driver training assistance program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 171.45. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2028.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner may expend money in the driver and vehicle services technology
account in the special revenue fund for information systems purposes related to the
commercial driver training assistance program.
new text end