Section 8A.367. State-owned passenger vehicles — disposition and sale — fleet privatization.

  1.  For purposes of this section, “passenger vehicles” means United States environmental protection agency designated compact sedans, compact wagons, midsize sedans, midsize wagons, full-size sedans, and passenger minivans, and additional vehicle classes determined by the department to be able to be reasonably supported by a private entity for rental or leasing. “Passenger vehicles” does not mean utility vehicles, vans other than passenger minivans, fire trucks, ambulances, motor homes, buses, medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks, heavy construction equipment and other highway maintenance vehicles, vehicles assigned for law enforcement purposes, and any other classes of vehicles of limited application approved by the director of the department of administrative services.

  2.  On or before September 30, 2011, the department shall implement a request for proposal process to enter into a contract for the purpose of state passenger vehicle rental or leasing from a private entity. Prior to awarding a contract, a private entity shall demonstrate the following:

  a.  Existence of sufficient inventory of passenger vehicles within this state to accommodate the needs of the state in assigning passenger vehicles.

  b.  Existence of adequate personnel in any county within the state where rental and leasing activity can be supported to satisfy the terms of the contract in renting or leasing state-assigned vehicles.

  c.  Existence of adequate personnel to facilitate the sale and disposition of the existing state-owned passenger vehicles returned to the department pursuant to subsection 3 or otherwise under the control of the department. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 8A.364 to the contrary, proceeds from the sale of motor vehicles as provided by this subsection shall be credited to the fund from which the motor vehicles were purchased.

  3.  By March 1, 2012, the department shall award a vehicle rental or leasing contract to a private entity, and shall assign passenger vehicles for rental or lease pursuant to that contract, to the extent the department determines doing so would be economically feasible and financially advantageous. By March 1, 2012, all state-assigned passenger vehicles designated for use by multiple drivers, and located in any county of this state which can support the operation of a private entity for rental and leasing purposes, which the department determines would be suitable for rental or leasing shall be returned to the department for use and disposition as provided in this section.

  4.  Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a private entity awarded a contract pursuant to this section shall not be required to indemnify or hold harmless the state for any liability the state might have to any third party due to the negligence of the state or any of its employees.

  5.  The department shall conduct an ongoing evaluation regarding the economic advantages of renting or leasing state-assigned vehicles versus state ownership of such vehicles, and shall accordingly adjust the number of vehicles subject to the rental and leasing contract pursuant to this section at intervals specified in the contract.

2011 Acts, ch 127, §42, 89