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16B.56 COMMUTER VANS; USE BY STATE EMPLOYEES AND SPOUSES AND
OTHERS.
    Subdivision 1. Employee transportation program. (a) Establishment. To conserve energy
and alleviate traffic congestion around state offices, the commissioner shall, in cooperation with
the commissioner of transportation, the State Energy Office in the Department of Commerce, and
interested nonprofit agencies, establish and operate an employee transportation program using
commuter vans with a capacity of not less than seven nor more than 16 passengers. Commuter
vans may be used by state employees and others to travel between their homes and their work
locations. However, only state employee drivers may use the van for personal purposes after
working hours, not including partisan political activity. The commissioner shall acquire or lease
commuter vans, or otherwise contract for the provision of commuter vans, and shall make the vans
available for the use of state employees and others in accordance with standards and procedures
adopted by the commissioner. The commissioner shall promote the maximum participation of
state employees and others in the use of the vans.
(b) Administrative policies. The commissioner shall adopt standards and procedures under
this section without regard to chapter 14. The commissioner shall provide for the recovery by the
state of vehicle acquisition, lease, operation, and insurance costs through efficient and convenient
assignment of vans, and for the billing of costs and collection of fees. A state employee using
a van for personal use shall pay, pursuant to the standards and procedures adopted by the
commissioner, for operating and routine maintenance costs incurred as a result of the personal
use. Fees collected under this subdivision shall be deposited in the accounts from which the costs
of operating, maintaining, and leasing or amortization for the specific vehicle are paid.
    Subd. 2. Eligible participants. State employees and their spouses and other people are
eligible for the employee transportation program established by this section, if the driver and
substitute driver of every van pool are state employees and if state employees constitute a majority
of the members of every van pool. Available space in van pools must, whenever possible, be
filled by state employees.
    Subd. 3. Areas of use. Use of the vans pursuant to this section is limited to areas not having
adequate public transportation between the residences of state employees and others and their
places of employment.
    Subd. 4.[Repealed, 1994 c 634 art 1 s 26]
    Subd. 5. Insurance; limitations. Notwithstanding section 15.31 or any other law to the
contrary, the commissioner may purchase, pursuant to this chapter, collision insurance coverage
for the commuter vans. Notwithstanding sections 16B.54, subdivision 2, and 168.012, the vans
may not be marked. The vans may not be equipped with tax-exempt motor vehicle number plates.
    Subd. 6.[Repealed, 1984 c 408 s 4]
History: 1984 c 408 s 1-3; 1984 c 544 s 61; 1984 c 655 art 2 s 13 subd 1; 1987 c 312 art 1
s 10 subd 2; 1Sp2001 c 4 art 6 s 9

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes