The bill authorizes public transit operators to conduct third-party testing for school bus drivers, amending Minnesota Statutes 2024. It introduces new definitions for "school bus service" and "transit operator" in section 171.01, clarifying that school bus service includes transportation for students using either school buses or public transit. Additionally, it allows school districts and school bus companies that are third-party testing programs to enter into agreements with other school districts, school bus companies, and transit operators to test their respective drivers.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that these agreements must be submitted to the commissioner for approval and mandates that a certified third-party tester be employed by the testing entity. The effective date for these provisions is set for July 1, 2025, applying to agreements made on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 171.01, 171.3213