1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; amending definitions of special transportation service 
1.3 	and small vehicle passenger service; governing complaints regarding special 
1.4 	transportation providers; requiring annual report on complaints;amending 
1.5 	Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 174.29, subdivision 1; 174.30, subdivisions 
1.6 	4, 9; 221.011, subdivision 49.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.9 		Subdivision 1.Definition. For the purpose of sections 174.29 and 174.30 "special 
1.10 	transportation service" means motor vehicle transportation provided on a regular basis 
1.11 	by a public or private entity or person that is designed exclusively or primarily to serve
1.12 	to individuals who are elderly or disabled and who are unable to use regular means of 
1.13 	transportation but do not require ambulance service, as defined in section 144E.001, 
1.14 	subdivision 3. Special transportation service includes but is not limited to service provided 
1.15 	by specially equipped buses, vans, taxis, and volunteers driving private automobiles. 

1.16 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.30, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
1.17 		Subd. 4.Vehicle and equipment inspection, rules; decal; complaint contact 
1.18 	information. (a) The commissioner shall inspect or provide for the inspection of 
1.19 	vehicles at least annually. In addition to scheduled annual inspections and reinspections 
1.20 	scheduled for the purpose of verifying that deficiencies have been corrected, unannounced 
1.21 	inspections of any vehicle may be conducted.
1.22 	(b) On determining that a vehicle or vehicle equipment is in a condition that is likely 
1.23 	to cause an accident or breakdown, the commissioner shall require the vehicle to be taken 
1.24 	out of service immediately. The commissioner shall require that vehicles and equipment 
2.1 	not meeting standards be repaired and brought into conformance with the standards 
2.2 	and shall require written evidence of compliance from the operator before allowing the 
2.3 	operator to return the vehicle to service.
2.4 	(c) The commissioner shall provide in the rules procedures for inspecting vehicles, 
2.5 	removing unsafe vehicles from service, determining and requiring compliance, and 
2.6 	reviewing driver qualifications.
2.7 	(d) The commissioner shall design a distinctive decal to be issued to special 
2.8 	transportation service providers with a current certificate of compliance under this section. 
2.9 	A decal is valid for one year from the last day of the month in which it is issued. A person 
2.10 	who is subject to the operating standards adopted under this section may not provide 
2.11 	special transportation service in a vehicle that does not conspicuously display a decal 
2.12 	issued by the commissioner.
2.13 	(e) Special transportation service providers shall prominently display in each vehicle 
2.14 	all contact information for the submission of complaints regarding the transportation 
2.15 	services provided to that individual.

2.16 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 174.30, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
2.17 		Subd. 9.Complaint data;Complaints; report; data classification. (a) The 
2.18 	commissioner shall investigate and resolve any and all complaints regarding special 
2.19 	transportation service providers regulated under this section.
2.20 	(b) By January 15, 2008, and in every subsequent even-numbered year by 
2.21 	January 15, the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority 
2.22 	members of the house of representatives and senate committees having jurisdiction over 
2.23 	transportation policy and finance. The report must identify each complaint investigated 
2.24 	by the commissioner under paragraph (a), including but not limited to any findings and 
2.25 	steps taken for resolution of the complaint.
2.26 	(c) When information is furnished to the Department of Transportation that alleges 
2.27 	a violation of this section, an operating standard adopted under this section, or section 
2.28 	174.315, the following data are classified as confidential data or protected nonpublic data: 
2.29 	(1) names of complainants;
2.30 	(2) complaint letters; and
2.31 	(3) other unsolicited data when furnished by a person who is not the subject of the 
2.32 	data and who is not a department employee.

2.33 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 221.011, subdivision 49, is amended to read:
3.1 		Subd. 49.Small vehicle passenger service. (a) "Small vehicle passenger service" 
3.2 	means a service provided by a person engaged in the for-hire transportation of passengers,
3.3 	in a vehicle designed to transport seven or fewer persons, including the driver, that does not 
3.4 	receive reimbursement from the state of Minnesota or other vendor under chapter 256B.
3.5 	(b) In the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, "small 
3.6 	vehicle passenger service" also includes for-hire transportation of persons who are certified 
3.7 	by the Metropolitan Council to use special transportation service provided under section 
3.8 	473.386, in a vehicle designed to transport not more than 15 persons including the driver, 
3.9 	that is equipped with a wheelchair lift and at least three wheelchair securement positions. 

3.10 	Sec. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 3.11 	This act is effective July 1, 2007.