1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; providing for a trial period of
1.3 	student transportation fees.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. TRIAL TRANSPORTATION FEE.
 1.6 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.37,
1.7 	subdivision 1, clause (10), for fiscal years 2006, 2007, and
1.8 	2008 only, a school board may require payment of fees for
1.9 	transportation to and from school of any pupil transported, and
1.10 	for all other transportation services not required by law,
1.11 	subject to paragraphs (b) and (c).
1.12 	(b) If a board charges fees for transportation of pupils
1.13 	under this section, it must establish guidelines to ensure that
1.14 	no pupil is denied transportation solely because of inability to
1.15 	pay.  Any transportation fees required must be applied equally
1.16 	to public and nonpublic students transported within the
1.17 	district.  The board may require fees for students transported
1.18 	to charter schools or to alternative attendance programs.
1.19 	(c) A school board's total transportation fees for any
1.20 	school year under this section may exceed the prior year's total
1.21 	transportation fees only for payment of increased costs in
1.22 	student transportation services or for expanding student
1.23 	transportation services.
1.24 	(d) This section expires June 30, 2008.