1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; authorizing transit authorities to use contracting 
1.3 	preferences to procure "Made in Minnesota" buses;proposing coding for new 
1.4 	law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 174.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [174.34] TRANSIT BUS ACQUISITION; LOCAL PREFERENCE.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this subdivision, the following 
1.8 	terms have the meanings given them.
1.9 	(b) "Bus" has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 11.
1.10 	(c) "Made in Minnesota" means the manufacture in this state of buses or transit 
1.11 	buses used for public transit purposes.
1.12 	(d) "Public transit" has the meaning given in section 174.22, subdivision 7.
1.13 	(e) "Transit authority" means the commissioner, the Metropolitan Council, a local 
1.14 	transit commission under chapter 458A, or any other county, municipality, statutory or 
1.15 	home rule charter city, town, or local board that offers or provides public transit service.
1.16 	(f) "Transit bus" has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 87.
1.17 		Subd. 2."Made in Minnesota" transit bus preference. As part of a competitive 
1.18 	bidding process for the purchase of one or more buses or transit buses, a transit authority 
1.19 	may select and contract with a bus manufacturer that is not the lowest responsible bidder, 
1.20 	provided that (1) the bus or transit bus is "Made in Minnesota," (2) the total cost is no more 
1.21 	than 15 percent higher than the lowest responsible bid, and (3) all other bid criteria are met.