Bill Text: MN SF185 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: Transportation ombudsperson commissioner of transportation (DOT) appointment
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-21 - Second reading [SF185 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-SF185-Engrossed.html
1.2relating to transportation; establishing a transportation ombudsperson;amending
1.3Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 174.02, by adding a subdivision.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 174.02, is amended by adding a
1.6subdivision to read:
1.7 Subd. 2a. Transportation ombudsperson. (a) The commissioner shall appoint a
1.8person to the position of transportation ombudsperson. The transportation ombudsperson
1.9reports directly to the commissioner. The ombudsperson must be selected without regard to
1.10political affiliation and must be qualified to perform the duties specified in this subdivision.
1.11(b) Powers and duties of the transportation ombudsperson include, but are not
1.12limited to:
1.13(1) providing a neutral, independent resource for dispute and issue resolution between
1.14the department and the general public where another mechanism or forum is not available;
1.15(2) gathering information about decisions, acts, and other matters of the department;
1.16(3) providing information to the general public;
1.17(4) facilitating discussions or arranging mediation when appropriate; and
1.18(5) maintaining and monitoring performance measures for the ombudsperson
1.19program.
1.20(c) The transportation ombudsperson may not hold another formal position within
1.21the department. The transportation ombudsperson may not impose a complaint fee.
1.22(d) Amounts that may be spent to pay the costs of the transportation ombudsperson
1.23program must be specifically appropriated by law and may not be transferred from any
2.1other appropriation. Any excess appropriation cancels at the end of the year to the fund
2.2from which it was appropriated.
1.3Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 174.02, by adding a subdivision.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 174.02, is amended by adding a
1.6subdivision to read:
1.7 Subd. 2a. Transportation ombudsperson. (a) The commissioner shall appoint a
1.8person to the position of transportation ombudsperson. The transportation ombudsperson
1.9reports directly to the commissioner. The ombudsperson must be selected without regard to
1.10political affiliation and must be qualified to perform the duties specified in this subdivision.
1.11(b) Powers and duties of the transportation ombudsperson include, but are not
1.12limited to:
1.13(1) providing a neutral, independent resource for dispute and issue resolution between
1.14the department and the general public where another mechanism or forum is not available;
1.15(2) gathering information about decisions, acts, and other matters of the department;
1.16(3) providing information to the general public;
1.17(4) facilitating discussions or arranging mediation when appropriate; and
1.18(5) maintaining and monitoring performance measures for the ombudsperson
1.19program.
1.20(c) The transportation ombudsperson may not hold another formal position within
1.21the department. The transportation ombudsperson may not impose a complaint fee.
1.22(d) Amounts that may be spent to pay the costs of the transportation ombudsperson
1.23program must be specifically appropriated by law and may not be transferred from any
2.1other appropriation. Any excess appropriation cancels at the end of the year to the fund
2.2from which it was appropriated.
