Minnesota Session Laws - 1994, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 486-H.F.No. 524 
                  An act relating to traffic regulations; authorizing 
                  rural postal carriers to operate rural mail delivery 
                  vehicles equipped with tires having metal studs, with 
                  restrictions; requiring permit from commissioner of 
                  transportation; providing a penalty; amending 
                  Minnesota Statutes 1992, section 169.72, by adding a 
                  subdivision. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1992, section 169.72, is 
        amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
           Subd. 5.  [RURAL POSTAL CARRIERS.] (a) A rural mail carrier 
        of the United States postal service may apply to the 
        commissioner for a permit to operate a rural mail delivery 
        vehicle with tires having metal studs.  An applicant must submit 
        with the application for the permit (1) verification that the 
        applicant is employed as a United States postal carrier, (2) a 
        map showing the applicant's mail delivery route, and (3) 
        identification of the vehicle the applicant uses on that mail 
        delivery route. 
           (b) If the commissioner determines that (1) the applicant 
        is employed as a United States postal carrier, and (2) less than 
        25 percent of the total mileage on the applicant's mail delivery 
        route is paved, the commissioner may issue the permit.  A permit 
        under this subdivision is valid beginning November 1 of a 
        calendar year and expires on April 15 of the following calendar 
        year. 
           (c) A permit under this subdivision authorizes the permit 
        holder to operate a motor vehicle equipped with tires having 
        metal studs that meet the limitations in subdivision 4, while 
        (1) traveling between the permit holder's residence and a mail 
        pickup station, and (2) delivering United States mail on the 
        permit holder's delivery route as shown in the map accompanying 
        the permit application.  The permit is valid only for the 
        vehicle identified in the permit. 
           (d) The commissioner may amend a permit under this 
        subdivision when (1) the permit holder submits evidence of a 
        change in the permit holder's mail delivery route, or (2) the 
        permit holder changes vehicles used in the route.  
           (e) The commissioner may revoke a permit when the 
        commissioner determines that (1) the vehicle named in the permit 
        is or has been operated in violation of this subdivision or the 
        terms of the permit, or (2) the commissioner determines that 
        more than 25 percent of the total mileage of the permit holder's 
        mail delivery route is paved. 
           (f) Operation of a motor vehicle identified in a permit in 
        violation of this subdivision or the terms of a permit issued 
        under this subdivision is a misdemeanor. 
           (g) A permit holder under this subdivision must remove 
        tires having metal studs from the vehicle identified in the 
        permit (1) by 12:01 a.m. on April 16 of each year, and (2) 
        whenever the permit holder transfers ownership of the vehicle or 
        ceases employment as a United States postal carrier. 
           Presented to the governor April 20, 1994 
           Signed by the governor April 21, 1994, 11:57 a.m.