Minnesota Session Laws - 2013, Regular Session

CHAPTER 102--H.F.No. 1304

An act

relating to transportation; amending regulations governing school bus use for special events;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 168.013, subdivision 18; 169.011, by adding a subdivision; 169.441, subdivision 3; 169.443, subdivision 3; 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 2012, section 168.013, subdivision 18, is amended to read:

Subd. 18.

School buses.

Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision 1, school buses used exclusively for the transportation of students under contract with a school district, deleted text begin or deleted text end used in connection with transportation for nonprofit educational institutions, new text begin or used as provided under section 169.4475, new text end shall be taxed during each year of the vehicle life of such bus the amount of $25.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.011, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 57a. new text end

new text begin Pupil transport entity. new text end

new text begin (a) "Pupil transport entity" means (1) a school, as defined in section 120A.22, subdivision 4; (2) a charter school operated under section 124D.10; and (3) a private transportation contractor that operates under an agreement with an entity identified in clause (1) or (2). new text end

new text begin (b) "Pupil transport entity" does not include a Head Start grantee or someone operating under an agreement with a Head Start grantee. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.441, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Sign on bus; application of other law.

new text begin (a) new text end Sections 169.443, subdivision 2; and 169.444, subdivisions 1, 4, and 5, apply only if the school bus bears on its front and rear a plainly visible sign containing the words "school bus" in letters at least eight inches in height.

new text begin (b) new text end Except as provided in section 169.443, subdivision 8, deleted text begin the deleted text end new text begin a school bus new text end sign must be removed or covered when the vehicle is being used as other than a school bus.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.443, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

When signals not used.

School bus drivers shall not activate the prewarning flashing amber signals or flashing red signals and shall not use the stop arm signal:

(1) in special school bus loading areas where the bus is entirely off the traveled portion of the roadway and where no other motor vehicle traffic is moving or is likely to be moving within 20 feet of the bus;

(2) when directed not to do so, in writing, by the local school board;

(3) when a school bus is being used on a street or highway for purposes other than the actual transportation of school children to or from school or a school-approved activity, except as provided in subdivision 8;

(4) at railroad grade crossings; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(5) new text begin when operating the bus under section 169.4475; and new text end

new text begin (6) new text end when loading and unloading people at designated school bus stops where people are not required to cross the street or highway, while the bus is completely off the traveled portion of a roadway that has adequate shoulders. The driver shall drive the bus completely off the traveled portion of this roadway before loading or unloading people. A school bus stop is designated under this clause if the transportation director of the school district in which the bus stop is located, in consultation with the road authority, certifies the integrity of the shoulder and the safety of the location for loading and unloading people. Each designated school bus stop must be documented and approved by the school board.

Sec. 5.

new text begin [169.4475] SPECIAL EVENT SCHOOL BUS USE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Temporary use authority. new text end

new text begin A pupil transport entity that meets the requirements of this section may operate a school bus for which the entity has paid registration tax under section 168.013, subdivision 18, to provide transportation that is not pupil transportation without reregistration of the bus, issuance of new plates, or payment of additional taxes and fees under chapter 168. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin A pupil transport entity may operate a school bus under this section if: new text end

new text begin (1) the transportation is performed under an agreement with a tax exempt entity under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, as defined in section 289A.02, subdivision 7, solely to transport participants in conjunction with a special event of up to two days organized or substantially sponsored by the tax exempt entity; and new text end

new text begin (2) the pupil transportation entity meets the requirements of a motor carrier of passengers under chapter 221, including but not limited to use of a temporary vehicle identification card under section 221.132 for the school bus. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin School bus equipment. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding section 169.448, subdivision 1, a school bus operated under this section may: new text end

new text begin (1) be painted national school bus glossy yellow; and new text end

new text begin (2) be equipped with a stop-signal arm, prewarning flashing amber signals, and flashing red signals. new text end

Presented to the governor May 21, 2013

Signed by the governor May 24, 2013, 2:52 p.m.