St. Paul, Minnesota — Tonight the Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 1304, a bill chief authored by State Representative John Ward (DFL – Baxter) to modify school bus regulation for special events.
This bill was crafted after a bus inspector found that busses being used for the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza were not following state guidelines and it could cost the charitable ice fishing contest an additional $30,000 if this legislation is not enacted. HF 1304 would create one and two day bus permits allowing busses to be used for special tax-exempt fundraisers for area non-profits.
“Groups that do great, positive work like the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza shouldn’t be held back by state regulations,” said Rep. Ward. “It is simply a tax-exempt fundraiser working to raise money for area non-profits and my bill makes it easier for them to continue to do these in the future.
The bill passed with unanimous bipartisan support.
“I’m very pleased that the bill received such strong bipartisan support,” said Rep. Ward. “It’s a simple bill aimed at making things a little easier on our great charitable groups and non-profits. I’m confident we can get this bill passed out of the Senate and signed by Governor Dayton this year.”
The bill is authored by Sen. Carrie Ruud (R – Breezy Point) in the Senate.