1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; modifying provisions
1.3 	relating to the use of freeway or expressway shoulders
1.4 	by transit buses and authorizing the commissioner of
1.5 	transportation to allow such use by metro mobility
1.6 	buses; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section
1.7 	169.306.
1.8 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.9 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.306, is
1.10 	amended to read:
1.11 	169.306 USE OF SHOULDERS BY BUSES.
1.12 	~~If~~ (a) The commissioner of transportation ~~permits~~ may
1.13 	permit the use by transit buses and metro mobility buses of a
1.14 	shoulder of a freeway or expressway, as defined in section
1.15 	160.02, in the seven-county metropolitan area~~,~~.
1.16 	(b) If the commissioner permits the use of a freeway or
1.17 	expressway shoulder by transit buses, the commissioner shall
1.18 	also permit the use on that shoulder of a bus with a seating
1.19 	capacity of 40 passengers or more operated by a motor carrier of
1.20 	passengers, as defined in section 221.011, subdivision 48, while
1.21 	operating in intrastate commerce.
1.22 	(c) Buses authorized to use the shoulder under this section
1.23 	may be operated on the shoulder only when main line traffic
1.24 	speeds are less than 35 miles per hour.  Drivers of buses being
1.25 	operated on the shoulder may not exceed the speed of main line
1.26 	traffic by more than 15 miles per hour and may never exceed 35
2.1 	miles per hour.  Drivers of buses being operated on the shoulder
2.2 	must yield to merging, entering, and exiting traffic and must
2.3 	yield to other vehicles on the shoulder.  Buses operated on the
2.4 	shoulder must be registered with the Department of
2.5 	Transportation.
2.6 	(d) For the purposes of this section, the term "metro
2.7 	mobility bus" means a motor vehicle of not less than 20 feet in
2.8 	length engaged in providing special transportation services
2.9 	under section 473.386 that is:
2.10 	(1) operated by a public or private entity receiving
2.11 	financial assistance from the Metropolitan Council; and 
2.12 	(2) authorized by the council to use freeway or expressway
2.13 	shoulders.

2.14 	Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.15 	This act is effective on the day following final enactment.