The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 221.0255, to enhance the insurance coverage requirements for motor carriers of railroad employees. Specifically, it raises the minimum liability insurance coverage from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 and establishes a new requirement for uninsured and underinsured coverage at the same minimum amount. Additionally, the bill mandates that motor carriers implement a comprehensive training and certification policy for operators, which includes annual training on safe vehicle operation, emergency handling, and vehicle inspections, among other responsibilities.

Furthermore, the bill introduces civil penalties for violations of these requirements, with fines ranging from $200 to $5,000 depending on the number of offenses. The commissioner is granted the authority to enforce these penalties through civil action, and any collected fines will be deposited into the state rail safety inspection account. The new provisions will take effect on August 1, 2024, and will apply to violations occurring on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 221.0255