1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to transportation; regulating personal delivery devices; amending Minnesota
1.3 Statutes 2022, section 169.011, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new
1.4 law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 169.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 169.011, is amended by adding a subdivision
1.7to read:
1.8 Subd. 54c.Personal delivery device."Personal delivery device" means a device that
1.9is (1) manufactured for transporting cargo and goods in a pedestrian area or other areas as
1.10described in section 169.976 and (2) equipped with automated driving technology, including
1.11software and hardware, that enables the operation of the device with the remote support and
1.12supervision of a human.
1.13 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
1.14 Sec. 2. [169.976] PERSONAL DELIVERY DEVICES.
1.15 Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
1.16the meanings given.
1.17 (b) "Agent" means a director, officer, employee, or other person authorized to act on
1.18behalf of a business entity.
1.19 (c) "Business entity" means a legal entity, including a corporation, partnership, or sole
1.20proprietorship, that is formed for the purpose of making a profit.
1Sec. 2.
23-01827 as introduced01/09/23 REVISOR KRB/JL
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 363NINETY-THIRD SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: JASINSKI)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading01/17/2023
Referred to Transportation 2.1 (d) "Pedestrian area" means a sidewalk, crosswalk, school crosswalk, school crossing
2.2zone, or safety zone.
2.3 (e) "Personal delivery device" means a device that is (1) manufactured for transporting
2.4cargo and goods in a pedestrian area or other areas as described in this section and (2)
2.5equipped with automated driving technology, including software and hardware, that enables
2.6the operation of the device with the remote support and supervision of a human.
2.7 Subd. 2.Applicable law.(a) The operation of a personal delivery device is governed
2.8exclusively by this section and any applicable regulation adopted by a local authority that
2.9is not inconsistent with this section.
2.10 (b) For purposes of this section, a personal delivery device operated in compliance with
2.11this section is not considered a vehicle.
2.12 Subd. 3.Operator of personal delivery device.(a) A person may operate a personal
2.13delivery device under this section only if the person is:
2.14 (1) a business entity; and
2.15 (2) a human who is an agent of the business entity with the capability to monitor or
2.16exercise physical control over the navigation and operation of the device.
2.17 (b) Except as provided under paragraph (c), when a personal delivery device operated
2.18by a business entity is engaged, the business entity is considered to be the operator of the
2.19device solely for the purpose of assessing compliance with applicable traffic laws.
2.20 (c) When a personal delivery device operated by a business entity is engaged and an
2.21agent controls the device in a manner outside the scope of the agent's office or employment,
2.22the agent is considered to be the operator of the device.
2.23 (d) A person is not considered to be the operator of a personal delivery device solely
2.24because the person:
2.25 (1) requests a delivery or service provided by the device; or
2.26 (2) dispatches the device.
2.27 Subd. 4.Device operation.A personal delivery device operated under this section must:
2.28 (1) operate in a manner that complies with the provisions of this chapter applicable to
2.29pedestrians unless the provision cannot by its nature apply to the device;
2.30 (2) yield or not obstruct the right-of-way to all other traffic, including pedestrians;
2.31 (3) not unreasonably interfere with other traffic, including pedestrians;
2Sec. 2.
23-01827 as introduced01/09/23 REVISOR KRB/JL 3.1 (4) display the lights required by section 169.48 if operated at night;
3.2 (5) comply with any applicable regulations adopted by a local authority;
3.3 (6) not transport hazardous materials regulated under the Hazardous Materials
3.4Transportation Act, United States Code, title 49, section 5103, and be required to be placarded
3.5under Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 172, subpart F; and
3.6 (7) be monitored or controlled as provided in subdivision 5.
3.7 Subd. 5.Areas of operation.A personal delivery device may be operated:
3.8 (1) in a pedestrian area at speeds up to 12 miles per hour; or
3.9 (2) at speeds not to exceed 20 miles per hour on a roadway in an area that is not a
3.10pedestrian area.
3.11 Subd. 6.Personal delivery device equipment.(a) A personal delivery device operated
3.12under this section must be equipped with:
3.13 (1) a label that clearly states the name and contact information of the owner of the device
3.14and a unique identification number; and
3.15 (2) a braking system that enables the device to come to a controlled stop.
3.16 (b) A personal delivery device operated under this section at night must be equipped
3.17with one or more lighted lamps or lanterns projecting a white light visible from a distance
3.18of 500 feet to the front of the device and with a lamp or lantern exhibiting a red light visible
3.19from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.
3.20 Subd. 7.Local authority regulation.(a) A local authority may not regulate the operation
3.21of a personal delivery device on a roadway or in a pedestrian area in a manner inconsistent
3.22with this section, including but not limited to limiting the hours of operation or zones of
3.23operation.
3.24 (b) This section does not affect the authority of a local authority's peace officers to
3.25enforce the laws of this state relating to the operation of a personal delivery device.
3.26 Subd. 8.Insurance requirements.A business entity that operates a personal delivery
3.27device under this section must maintain an insurance policy that includes general liability
3.28coverage of not less than $100,000 for damages arising from the operation of the device.
3.29 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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