1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; directing commissioner of transportation to utilize a 
1.3 	consultant to study pupil transportation efficiencies; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. PUPIL TRANSPORTATION STUDY.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Consultant contract. By July 1, 2012, the commissioner of 
1.7 	transportation, after consultation with the commissioner of administration, shall approve, 
1.8 	select, and award a consultant contract to provide an analysis of the cost of pupil 
1.9 	transportation in this state and to recommend actions, best practices, and legislation to 
1.10 	achieve efficiencies and cost reductions in arranging for safe, efficient, and cost-effective 
1.11 	pupil transportation.
1.12 		Subd. 2.Analysis. The consultant shall separately analyze pupil transportation in a 
1.13 	selected urban, suburban, and rural cluster of schools and districts. The consultant shall 
1.14 	utilize the findings to project statewide costs and savings associated with recommendations 
1.15 	developed by the consultant. In analyzing and formulating recommended actions and 
1.16 	best practices, the consultant must utilize appropriate analytical methods, including 
1.17 	those associated with strategic sourcing such as standardization, contract consolidation, 
1.18 	negotiation, purchasing alliances, and life-cycle costing related to bus purchasing.
1.19 		Subd. 3.Report. The consultant shall submit its report to the commissioner of 
1.20 	transportation, who shall transmit the report to the chairs and ranking minority members 
1.21 	of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation finance and policy and 
1.22 	education finance and policy by January 15, 2013.
2.1 		Subd. 4.Appropriation. $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the 
2.2 	commissioner of transportation for the costs of the study required in this section.

2.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.