Minnesota Session Laws - 1987, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1987 

                        CHAPTER 379-S.F.No. 862 
           An act relating to public safety; school buses; 
          allowing tax-exempt license plates for vehicles owned 
          by nonprofit charities and used for educational 
          purposes; requiring training for school bus drivers; 
          appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 1986, 
          sections 168.012, subdivision 1; and 171.321, 
          subdivision 2. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1986, section 168.012, 
subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
    Subdivision 1.  (a) The following vehicles are exempt from 
the provisions of this chapter requiring payment of tax and 
registration fees, except as provided in subdivision 1c:  
    (1) vehicles owned and used solely in the transaction of 
official business by representatives of foreign powers, by the 
federal government, the state, or any political subdivision 
thereof, or; 
    (2) vehicles owned and used exclusively by educational 
institutions and used solely in the transportation of pupils to 
and from such institutions, or; 
    (3) vehicles owned by nonprofit charities and used 
exclusively to transport handicapped persons for educational 
purposes; 
    (4) vehicles owned and used by honorary consul or consul 
general of foreign governments shall be exempt from the 
provision of this chapter requiring payment of tax or 
registration fees, except as provided in subdivision 1c. 
    (b) Vehicles owned by the federal government, municipal 
fire apparatus, police patrols and ambulances, the general 
appearance of which is unmistakable, shall not be required to 
register or display number plates.  
    (c) Unmarked vehicles used in general police work, arson 
investigations, and passenger vehicles, station wagons, and 
buses owned or operated by the department of corrections shall 
be registered and shall display passenger vehicle classification 
license number plates which shall be furnished by the registrar 
at cost.  Original and renewal applications for these passenger 
vehicle license plates authorized for use in general police work 
and for use by the department of corrections must be accompanied 
by a certification signed by the appropriate chief of police if 
issued to a police vehicle, the appropriate sheriff if issued to 
a sheriff's vehicle, the commissioner of corrections if issued 
to a department of corrections vehicle, or the appropriate 
officer in charge if issued to a vehicle of any other law 
enforcement agency.  The certification must be on a form 
prescribed by the commissioner and state that the vehicle will 
be used exclusively for a purpose authorized by this section.  
    (d) All other motor vehicles shall be registered and 
display tax exempt number plates which shall be furnished by the 
registrar at cost, except as provided in subdivision 1c.  All 
vehicles required to display tax exempt number plates shall have 
the name of the state department or public subdivision on the 
vehicle plainly printed on both sides thereof in letters not 
less than 2-1/2 inches high, one inch wide and of a 
three-eighths inch stroke; except that each state hospital and 
institution for the mentally ill and mentally retarded may have 
one vehicle without the required printing on the sides of the 
vehicle.  Such printing shall be in a color giving a marked 
contrast with that of the part of the vehicle on which it is 
placed and shall be done with a good quality of paint that will 
endure throughout the term of the registration.  The printing 
must be on a part of the vehicle itself and not on a removable 
plate or placard of any kind and shall be kept clean and visible 
at all times; except that a removable plate or placard may be 
utilized on vehicles leased or loaned to a political subdivision.
    Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1986, section 171.321, 
subdivision 2, is amended to read:  
    Subd. 2.  (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the 
commissioner of education, of public safety shall prescribe 
rules governing the qualifications of individuals to drive 
school buses. 
    (b) The commissioner of public safety, in conjunction with 
the commissioner of education, shall adopt a training program 
for school bus drivers.  Adoption of the program is not subject 
to chapter 14.  The program must provide for initial classroom 
and behind-the-wheel training, and annual in-service training.  
The program must provide training in defensive driving, human 
relations, emergency and accident procedures, vehicle 
maintenance, traffic laws, and use of safety equipment.  The 
program must provide that the training will be conducted by the 
contract operator for a school district, the school district, 
the commissioner of education, a licensed driver training 
school, or by another person or entity approved by both 
commissioners.  
    Sec. 3.  [APPROPRIATION.] 
    $50,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
commissioner of public safety to administer section 2, $25,000 
to be available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1988, and 
$25,000 to be available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1989.
    Sec. 4.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
    Section 1 is effective July 1, 1987.  Section 2 is 
effective the day following final enactment.  Section 3 is 
effective August 1, 1987. 
    Approved June 2, 1987