Bill Text: MN SF943 | 2011-2012 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Omnibus game and fish bill

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2011-05-27 - Governor veto [SF943 Detail]

Download: Minnesota-2011-SF943-Introduced.html

1.1A bill for an act
1.2relating to game and fish; modifying aquaculture provisions; modifying
1.3compensation and assistance provisions for crop damage by elk; modifying
1.4requirements for fish and wildlife management plans; modifying provisions
1.5for taking, possessing, and transporting wild animals; modifying certain
1.6acquisition procedures; modifying penalty and license provisions; modifying
1.7invasive species control provisions; limiting landowner liability for state
1.8walk-in access program; requiring rulemaking; providing criminal penalties;
1.9amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 3.7371, subdivisions 1, 3; 17.4982,
1.10subdivisions 8, 12, 13, by adding a subdivision; 17.4991, subdivision 3; 17.4994;
1.1184.942, subdivision 1; 84.95, subdivision 2; 84D.08; 84D.11, subdivision
1.122a; 84D.14; 97A.015, subdivisions 24, 49, 52, 55; 97A.028, subdivision 3;
1.1397A.101, subdivision 3; 97A.145, subdivision 2; 97A.311, subdivision 5;
1.1497A.321, subdivision 1; 97A.331, by adding a subdivision; 97A.405, subdivision
1.152; 97A.415, subdivision 2; 97A.425, subdivision 3; 97A.433, by adding a
1.16subdivision; 97A.435, subdivision 1; 97A.445, subdivision 1a; 97A.475,
1.17subdivisions 2, 3, 7; 97A.505, subdivision 2; 97A.545, subdivision 5; 97B.022,
1.18subdivision 2; 97B.031, subdivision 5; 97B.041; 97B.055, subdivision 3;
1.1997B.075; 97B.106, subdivision 1; 97B.325; 97B.405; 97B.515, by adding a
1.20subdivision; 97B.711, by adding a subdivision; 97B.803; 97C.005, subdivision
1.213; 97C.081, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 97C.087, subdivision 2;
1.2297C.205; 97C.311, subdivision 1; 97C.341; 604A.21, by adding a subdivision;
1.23proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 17; 97B; repealing
1.24Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 84.942, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 97A.015,
1.25subdivisions 26b, 27b, 27c; 97A.435, subdivision 5; 97B.511; 97B.515,
1.26subdivision 3; 97C.081, subdivision 2.
1.27BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.28    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 3.7371, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.29    Subdivision 1. Authorization. Notwithstanding section 3.736, subdivision 3,
1.30paragraph (e), or any other law, a person who owns an agricultural crop or pasture shall
1.31be compensated by the commissioner of agriculture for an agricultural crop, or fence
1.32surrounding the crop or pasture, that is damaged or destroyed by elk as provided in this
1.33section.

2.1    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 3.7371, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.2    Subd. 3. Compensation. The crop owner is entitled to the target price or the
2.3market price, whichever is greater, of the damaged or destroyed crop plus adjustments
2.4for yield loss determined according to agricultural stabilization and conservation service
2.5programs for individual farms, adjusted annually, as determined by the commissioner,
2.6upon recommendation of the county extension agent for the owner's county. The
2.7commissioner, upon recommendation of the agent, shall determine whether the crop
2.8damage or destruction or damage to or destruction of a fence surrounding a crop or pasture
2.9is caused by elk and, if so, the amount of the crop or fence that is damaged or destroyed.
2.10In any fiscal year, a crop an owner may not be compensated for a damaged or destroyed
2.11crop or fence surrounding a crop or pasture that is less than $100 in value and may be
2.12compensated up to $20,000, as determined under this section, if normal harvest procedures
2.13for the area are followed. In any fiscal year, the commissioner may provide compensation
2.14for claims filed under this section up to the amount expressly appropriated for this purpose.

2.15    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 17.4982, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
2.16    Subd. 8. Containment facility. "Containment facility" means a licensed facility for
2.17salmonids or, catfish, or species on the viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) susceptible
2.18list published by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health
2.19Inspection Services, that complies with clauses (1), (3), and (4), or clauses (2), (3), and (4):
2.20(1) disinfects its effluent to the standards in section 17.4991 before the effluent is
2.21discharged to public waters;
2.22(2) does not discharge to public waters or to waters of the state directly connected to
2.23public waters;
2.24(3) raises aquatic life that is prohibited from being released into the wild and must be
2.25kept in a facility approved by the commissioner unless processed for food consumption;
2.26(4) contains aquatic life requiring a fish health inspection prior to transportation.

2.27    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 17.4982, is amended by adding a subdivision
2.28to read:
2.29    Subd. 10a. Fish collector. "Fish collector" means an individual who has been
2.30certified under section 17.4989 to oversee the collection of fish samples from a facility or
2.31a water body for disease testing by a certified laboratory.

2.32    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 17.4982, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
3.1    Subd. 12. Fish health inspection. (a) "Fish health inspection" means an on-site,
3.2statistically based sampling, collection, and testing of fish in accordance with processes
3.3in the Fish Health Blue Book for all lots of fish in a facility or the Diagnostic Manual
3.4for Aquatic Animal Diseases, published by the International Office of Epizootics (OIE)
3.5to test for causative pathogens. The samples for inspection must be collected by a fish
3.6health inspector or a fish collector in cooperation with the producer. Testing of samples
3.7must be done by an approved laboratory.
3.8(b) The inspection for viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), infectious pancreatic
3.9necrosis (IPN), and infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) in salmonids and for VHS in
3.10nonsalmonids must include at least a minimum viral testing of ovarian fluids at the 95
3.11percent confidence level of detecting two percent incidence of disease (ovarian fluids must
3.12be sampled for certification of viral hemorrhagic septicemia and infectious hematopoietic
3.13necrosis). Bacterial diseases must be sampled at the 95 percent confidence level with a
3.14five percent incidence of disease. The inspection must be performed by a fish health
3.15inspector in cooperation with the producer with subsequent examination of the collected
3.16tissues and fluids for the detection of certifiable diseases.
3.17(c) The inspection for certifiable diseases for wild fish must follow the guidelines of
3.18the Fish Health Blue Book or the Diagnostic Manual for Aquatic Animal Diseases.

3.19    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 17.4982, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
3.20    Subd. 13. Fish health inspector. "Fish health inspector" means an individual
3.21certified as a fish health inspector or an aquatic animal health inspector by the American
3.22Fisheries Society or state, federal, or provincial resource management agency, except
3.23that a certification may not be made by an inspector who has a conflict of interest in
3.24connection with the outcome of the certification.

3.25    Sec. 7. [17.4989] FISH SAMPLE COLLECTING.
3.26    Subdivision 1. Training. Fish collector training may be offered by any organization
3.27or agency that has had its class and practicum syllabus approved by the commissioner.
3.28The class and practicum must include the following components:
3.29(1) accurate identification of licensed water bodies listed according to section
3.3017.4984 and ensuring that collection is taking place at the correct site;
3.31(2) identification of fish internal organs;
3.32(3) fish dissection and sample preparation as identified by the Department of Natural
3.33Resources based on specific testing requirements or as outlined in the Fish Health
4.1Blue Book or the Diagnostic Manual for Aquatic Animal Diseases, published by the
4.2International Office of Epizootics (OIE);
4.3(4) recording and reporting data;
4.4(5) sample preparation and shipping;
4.5(6) a field collection site test to demonstrate mastery of the necessary skills, overseen
4.6by a certified fish health inspector; and
4.7(7) a certificate of successful completion signed by a certified fish health inspector
4.8on a form provided by the commissioner.
4.9    Subd. 2. Certification time period. Fish collector certification is valid for five years
4.10and is not transferable. A person may renew certification only by successfully completing
4.11certification training. Certification shall be revoked if the certified person is convicted
4.12of violating any of the statutes or rules governing testing for aquatic species diseases.
4.13Certification may be suspended during an investigation associated with misconduct or
4.14violations of fish health testing and collection. The commissioner shall notify the person
4.15that certification is being revoked or suspended.
4.16    Subd. 3. Conflict of interest. A fish collector may not oversee the collection of fish
4.17from a facility or a water body when the collector has a conflict of interest in connection
4.18with the outcome of the testing.

4.19    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 17.4991, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
4.20    Subd. 3. Fish health inspection. (a) An aquatic farm propagating trout, salmon,
4.21or salmonids, catfish, or species on the viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) susceptible
4.22list published by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health
4.23Inspection Services, and having an effluent discharge from the aquatic farm into public
4.24waters must have a fish health inspection conducted at least once every 12 months by a
4.25certified fish health inspector. Testing must be conducted according to approved laboratory
4.26methods of the Fish Health Blue Book or the Diagnostic Manual for Aquatic Animal
4.27Diseases, published by the International Office of Epizootics (OIE).
4.28(b) An aquatic farm propagating any species on the VHS susceptible list and having
4.29an effluent discharge from the aquatic farm into public waters must test for VHS virus
4.30using the guidelines of the Fish Health Blue Book or the Diagnostic Manual for Aquatic
4.31Animal Diseases. The commissioner may, by written order published in the State Register,
4.32prescribe alternative testing time periods and methods from those prescribed in the Fish
4.33Health Blue Book or the OIE Diagnostic Manual if the commissioner determines that
4.34biosecurity measures will not be compromised. These alternatives are not subject to the
5.1rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply. The commissioner
5.2must provide reasonable notice to affected parties of any changes in testing requirements.
5.3(c) Results of fish health inspections must be provided to the commissioner for all
5.4fish that remain in the state. All data used to prepare and issue a fish health certificate must
5.5be maintained for three years by the issuing fish health inspector, approved laboratory, or
5.6accredited veterinarian.
5.7(d) A health inspection fee must be charged based on each lot of fish sampled. The
5.8fee by check or money order payable to the Department of Natural Resources must be
5.9prepaid or paid at the time a bill or notice is received from the commissioner that the
5.10inspection and processing of samples is completed.
5.11(c) (e) Upon receipt of payment and completion of inspection, the commissioner
5.12shall notify the operator and issue a fish health certificate. The certification must be made
5.13according to the Fish Health Blue Book or the Diagnostic Manual for Aquatic Animal
5.14Diseases by a person certified as a fish health inspector.
5.15(d) (f) All aquatic life in transit or held at transfer stations within the state may
5.16be inspected by the commissioner. This inspection may include the collection of stock
5.17for purposes of pathological analysis. Sample size necessary for analysis will follow
5.18guidelines listed in the Fish Health Blue Book.
5.19(e) (g) Salmonids and, catfish, or species on the VHS susceptible list must have a
5.20fish health inspection before being transported from a containment facility, unless the
5.21fish are being transported directly to an outlet for processing or other food purposes or
5.22unless the commissioner determines that an inspection is not needed. A fish health
5.23inspection conducted for this purpose need only be done on the lot or lots of fish that will
5.24be transported. The commissioner must conduct a fish health inspection requested for this
5.25purpose within five working days of receiving written notice. Salmonids and catfish may
5.26be immediately transported from a containment facility to another containment facility
5.27once a sample has been obtained for a health inspection or once the five-day notice
5.28period has expired.

5.29    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 17.4994, is amended to read:
5.3017.4994 SUCKER EGGS.
5.31Sucker eggs may be taken from public waters with a sucker egg license endorsement,
5.32which authorizes sucker eggs to be taken at a rate of one quart of eggs for each 1-1/2 acres
5.33of licensed surface waters except that for intensive culture systems, sucker eggs may be
5.34taken at a rate of two quarts per 1,000 muskellunge fry being reared for the fee prescribed
5.35in section 97A.475, subdivision 29. The Taking of sucker eggs from public waters is
6.1subject to chapter 97C and may be supervised by the commissioner. The commissioner
6.2may limit the amount of sucker eggs that a person with a sucker egg license endorsement
6.3may take based on the number of sucker eggs taken historically by the licensee, new
6.4requests for eggs, and the condition of the spawning runs at those historical streams and
6.5rivers that have produced previous annual quotas.

6.6    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84.942, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
6.7    Subdivision 1. Preparation. The commissioner of natural resources shall prepare
6.8a comprehensive fish and wildlife management plan plans designed to accomplish the
6.9policy of section 84.941. The comprehensive fish and wildlife management plan shall
6.10include a strategic plan as outlined in subdivision 2. The strategic plan must be completed
6.11by July 1, 1986. The management plan must also include the long-range and operational
6.12plans as described in subdivisions 3 and 4. The management plan must be completed by
6.13July 1, 1988.

6.14    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84.95, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
6.15    Subd. 2. Purposes and expenditures. Money from the reinvest in Minnesota
6.16resources fund may only be spent for the following fish and wildlife conservation
6.17enhancement purposes:
6.18(1) development and implementation of the comprehensive fish and wildlife
6.19management plan plans under section 84.942;
6.20(2) implementation of the reinvest in Minnesota reserve program established by
6.21section 103F.515;
6.22(3) soil and water conservation practices to improve water quality, reduce soil
6.23erosion and crop surpluses;
6.24(4) enhancement or restoration of fish and wildlife habitat on lakes, streams,
6.25wetlands, and public and private forest lands;
6.26(5) acquisition and development of public access sites and recreation easements to
6.27lakes, streams, and rivers for fish and wildlife oriented recreation;
6.28(6) matching funds with government agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes and
6.29bands, and the private sector for acquisition and improvement of fish and wildlife habitat;
6.30(7) research and surveys of fish and wildlife species and habitat;
6.31(8) enforcement of natural resource laws and rules;
6.32(9) information and education;
6.33(10) implementing the aspen recycling program under section 88.80 and for other
6.34forest wildlife management projects; and
7.1(11) necessary support services to carry out these purposes.

7.2    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84D.08, is amended to read:
7.384D.08 ESCAPE OF NONNATIVE AND INVASIVE SPECIES.
7.4(a) A person that allows or causes the introduction of an animal that is a prohibited
7.5invasive, regulated invasive, or unlisted nonnative species shall, within 24 hours after
7.6learning of the introduction, notify the commissioner, a conservation officer, or another
7.7person designated by the commissioner. The person shall make every reasonable attempt
7.8to recapture or destroy the introduced animal. If the animal is a prohibited invasive
7.9species, the person is liable for the actual costs incurred by the department in capturing or
7.10controlling, or attempting to capture or control, the animal and its progeny. If the animal is
7.11a regulated invasive species, the person is liable for these costs if the introduction was in
7.12violation of the person's permit issued under section 84D.11.
7.13(b) A person may not release swine from captivity and allow the swine to be
7.14introduced into the wild. A person that allows or causes the introduction of swine shall,
7.15within 24 hours after learning of the introduction, notify the commissioner, a conservation
7.16officer, or another person designated by the commissioner. The person shall make every
7.17reasonable attempt to recapture or destroy the introduced animal.
7.18(c) A person that complies with this section is not subject to criminal penalties
7.19under section 84D.13 for the introduction.

7.20    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84D.11, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
7.21    Subd. 2a. Harvest of bait from infested waters. The commissioner may issue a
7.22permit to allow the harvest of bait:
7.23    (1) from waters that are designated as infested waters, except those designated
7.24because they contain prohibited invasive species of fish or certifiable diseases of fish as
7.25defined in section 17.4982, subdivision 6; and
7.26    (2) from infested waters as allowed under section 97C.341, paragraph (c).
7.27    The permit shall include conditions necessary to avoid spreading aquatic invasive
7.28species. Before receiving a permit, a person annually must satisfactorily complete aquatic
7.29invasive species-related training provided by the commissioner.
7.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

7.31    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84D.14, is amended to read:
7.3284D.14 EXEMPTIONS.
8.1    This chapter does not apply to:
8.2    (1) pathogens and terrestrial arthropods regulated under sections 18G.01 to 18G.15;
8.3or
8.4    (2) mammals and birds defined by statute as livestock, except for swine as provided
8.5under section 84D.08, paragraph (b).

8.6    Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.015, subdivision 24, is amended to read:
8.7    Subd. 24. Game birds. "Game birds" means migratory waterfowl, ring-necked
8.8pheasant, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, Canada spruce grouse, prairie chickens, gray
8.9partridge, bobwhite quail, wild turkeys, coots, gallinules, sora and Virginia rails, mourning
8.10dove, sandhill crane, American woodcock, and common snipe.

8.11    Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.015, subdivision 49, is amended to read:
8.12    Subd. 49. Undressed bird. "Undressed bird" means:
8.13(1) a bird, excluding migratory waterfowl, a pheasant, Hungarian partridge, wild
8.14turkey, or grouse duck, with feet and a fully feathered head wing intact;
8.15(2) a migratory waterfowl, excluding geese, duck with a fully feathered wing and
8.16head attached; or
8.17(3) a pheasant, Hungarian partridge, or wild turkey, or grouse with one leg and foot
8.18or the fully feathered head or wing intact; or.
8.19(4) a goose with a fully feathered wing attached.

8.20    Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.015, subdivision 52, is amended to read:
8.21    Subd. 52. Unprotected birds. "Unprotected birds" means English sparrow,
8.22blackbird, starling, magpie, cormorant, common pigeon, Eurasian collared dove, chukar
8.23partridge, quail other than bobwhite quail, and mute swan.

8.24    Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.015, subdivision 55, is amended to read:
8.25    Subd. 55. Wild animals. "Wild animals" means all living creatures, whether dead or
8.26alive, not human, wild by nature, endowed with sensation and power of voluntary motion,
8.27and includes mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, and mollusks.

8.28    Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.028, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
8.29    Subd. 3. Emergency deterrent materials assistance. (a) For the purposes of
8.30this subdivision, "cooperative damage management agreement" means an agreement
8.31between a landowner or tenant and the commissioner that establishes a program for
9.1addressing the problem of destruction of the landowner's or tenant's specialty crops or
9.2stored forage crops by wild animals, or destruction of agricultural crops by flightless
9.3Canada geese, or destruction of agricultural crops or pasture by elk within the native elk
9.4range, as determined by the commissioner.
9.5    (b) A landowner or tenant may apply to the commissioner for emergency deterrent
9.6materials assistance in controlling destruction of the landowner's or tenant's specialty
9.7crops or stored forage crops by wild animals, or destruction of agricultural crops by
9.8flightless Canada geese, or destruction of agricultural crops or pasture by elk within the
9.9native elk range, as determined by the commissioner. Subject to the availability of money
9.10appropriated for this purpose, the commissioner shall provide suitable deterrent materials
9.11when the commissioner determines that:
9.12    (1) immediate action is necessary to prevent significant damage from continuing; and
9.13    (2) a cooperative damage management agreement cannot be implemented
9.14immediately.
9.15    (c) A person may receive emergency deterrent materials assistance under this
9.16subdivision more than once, but the cumulative total value of deterrent materials provided
9.17to a person, or for use on a parcel, may not exceed $3,000 $5,000 for specialty crops, $750
9.18$1,500 for protecting stored forage crops, or $500 $1,000 for agricultural crops damaged
9.19by flightless Canada geese. The value of deterrent materials provided to a person to help
9.20protect stored forage crops, agricultural crops, or pasture from damage by elk may not
9.21exceed $5,000. If a person is a co-owner or cotenant with respect to the specialty crops
9.22for which the deterrent materials are provided, the deterrent materials are deemed to be
9.23"provided" to the person for the purposes of this paragraph.
9.24    (d) As a condition of receiving emergency deterrent materials assistance under this
9.25subdivision, a landowner or tenant shall enter into a cooperative damage management
9.26agreement with the commissioner. Deterrent materials provided by the commissioner may
9.27include repellents, fencing materials, or other materials recommended in the agreement
9.28to alleviate the damage problem. If requested by a landowner or tenant, any fencing
9.29materials provided must be capable of providing long-term protection of specialty crops.
9.30A landowner or tenant who receives emergency deterrent materials assistance under
9.31this subdivision shall comply with the terms of the cooperative damage management
9.32agreement.

9.33    Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.101, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
9.34    Subd. 3. Fishing may not be restricted. Seasons or methods of taking fish other
9.35than minnows may not be restricted under this section.

10.1    Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.145, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
10.2    Subd. 2. Acquisition procedure. (a) Lands purchased or leased under this section
10.3must be acquired in accordance with this subdivision.
10.4(b) The commissioner must notify the county board and the town officers where the
10.5land is located and furnish them a description of the land to be acquired. The county board
10.6must approve or disapprove the proposed acquisition within 90 days after being notified.
10.7The commissioner may extend the time up to 30 days. The soil and water conservation
10.8district supervisors shall counsel the county board on drainage and flood control and the
10.9best utilization and capability of the land.
10.10(c) If the county board approves the acquisition within the prescribed time, the
10.11commissioner may acquire the land.
10.12(d) If the county board disapproves the acquisition, it must state valid reasons.
10.13The commissioner may not purchase or lease the land if the county board disapproves
10.14the acquisition and states its reasons within the prescribed time period. The landowner
10.15or the commissioner may appeal the disapproval to the district court having jurisdiction
10.16where the land is located.
10.17(e) The commissioner or the owner of the land may submit the proposed acquisition
10.18to the Land Exchange Board if: (1) the county board does not give reason for disapproval,
10.19or does not approve or disapprove the acquisition within the prescribed time period; or
10.20(2) the court finds commissioner or owner of the land maintains that the disapproval is
10.21arbitrary and capricious, or that the reasons stated for disapproval are invalid, or that the
10.22acquisition is in the public interest.
10.23(f) The Land Exchange Board must conduct a hearing and make a decision on
10.24the acquisition within 60 days after receiving the proposal. The Land Exchange Board
10.25must give notice of the hearing to the county board, the commissioner, the landowner,
10.26and other interested parties. The Land Exchange Board must consider the interests of the
10.27county, the state, and the landowner in determining whether the acquisition is in the public
10.28interest. If a majority of the Land Exchange Board members approves the acquisition,
10.29the commissioner may acquire the land. If a majority disapproves, the commissioner
10.30may not purchase or lease the land.

10.31    Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.311, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
10.32    Subd. 5. Refunds. (a) The commissioner may issue a refund on a license, not
10.33including any issuing fees paid under section 97A.485, subdivision 6, if the request is
10.34received within 90 days of the original license purchase and:
11.1    (1) the licensee dies before the opening of the licensed season. The original license
11.2and a copy of the death certificate must be provided to the commissioner;
11.3    (2) the licensee is unable to participate in the licensed activity because the licensee is
11.4called to active military duty or military leave is canceled during the entire open season of
11.5the licensed activity. The original license and a copy of the military orders or notice of
11.6cancellation of leave must be provided to the commissioner; or
11.7    (3) the licensee purchased two licenses for the same license season in error.; or
11.8(4) the licensee was not legally required to purchase the license to participate
11.9in the activity.
11.10    (b) This subdivision does not apply to lifetime licenses.

11.11    Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.321, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
11.12    Subdivision 1. Owner responsibility; penalty amount. The owner of a dog that
11.13pursues but does not kill a big game animal is subject to a civil penalty of $100 for each
11.14violation. The owner of a dog that kills or mortally wounds a big game animal is subject
11.15to a civil penalty of $500 for each violation.

11.16    Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.331, is amended by adding a
11.17subdivision to read:
11.18    Subd. 4a. Hunting big game while under revocation. Notwithstanding section
11.1997A.421, subdivision 7, a person who takes big game during the time the person is
11.20prohibited from obtaining a license to take big game under section 97A.421 is guilty
11.21of a gross misdemeanor.

11.22    Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.405, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
11.23    Subd. 2. Personal possession. (a) A person acting under a license or traveling from
11.24an area where a licensed activity was performed must have in personal possession either:
11.25(1) the proper license, if the license has been issued to and received by the person; or (2)
11.26the proper license identification number or stamp validation, if the license has been sold to
11.27the person by electronic means but the actual license has not been issued and received.
11.28    (b) If possession of a license or a license identification number is required, a person
11.29must exhibit, as requested by a conservation officer or peace officer, either: (1) the proper
11.30license if the license has been issued to and received by the person; or (2) the proper
11.31license identification number or stamp validation and a valid state driver's license, state
11.32identification card, or other form of identification provided by the commissioner, if the
11.33license has been sold to the person by electronic means but the actual license has not been
12.1issued and received. A person charged with violating the license possession requirement
12.2shall not be convicted if the person produces in court or the office of the arresting officer,
12.3the actual license previously issued to that person, which was valid at the time of arrest,
12.4or satisfactory proof that at the time of the arrest the person was validly licensed. Upon
12.5request of a conservation officer or peace officer, a licensee shall write the licensee's name
12.6in the presence of the officer to determine the identity of the licensee.
12.7    (c) If the actual license has been issued and received, a receipt for license fees, a
12.8copy of a license, or evidence showing the issuance of a license, including the license
12.9identification number or stamp validation, does not entitle a licensee to exercise the rights
12.10or privileges conferred by a license.
12.11    (d) A license issued electronically and not immediately provided to the licensee
12.12shall be mailed to the licensee within 30 days of purchase of the license. A pictorial
12.13migratory waterfowl, pheasant, trout and salmon, or walleye stamp shall be provided to
12.14the licensee after purchase of a stamp validation only if the licensee pays an additional $2
12.15fee that covers the costs of producing and mailing a pictorial stamp. A pictorial turkey
12.16stamp may be purchased for a $2 fee. that covers the costs of producing and mailing the
12.17pictorial stamp. Notwithstanding section 16A.1283, the commissioner may, by written
12.18order published in the State Register, establish fees for providing the pictorial stamps.
12.19The fees must be set in an amount that does not recover significantly more or less than
12.20the cost of producing and mailing the stamps. The fees are not subject to the rulemaking
12.21provisions of chapter 14, and section 14.386 does not apply.

12.22    Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.415, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
12.23    Subd. 2. Transfer prohibited. A person may not lend, transfer, borrow, or solicit
12.24a license or permit, license identification number, application for a license or permit,
12.25coupon, tag, or seal, or use a license, permit, license identification number, coupon, tag,
12.26or seal not issued to the person unless otherwise expressly authorized. A person may
12.27transfer a license, as prescribed by the commissioner, for use by a person with a severe
12.28disability or critical illness who is participating in a hunting or fishing program sponsored
12.29by a nonprofit organization.

12.30    Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.425, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
12.31    Subd. 3. Reports. Except for persons licensed to mount specimens of wild
12.32animals, an annual report covering the preceding license year must be submitted to the
12.33commissioner by March 15. The commissioner may require other reports for statistical
12.34purposes. The reports must be on forms supplied or approved by the commissioner.

13.1    Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.433, is amended by adding a
13.2subdivision to read:
13.3    Subd. 5. Mandatory separate selection. The commissioner must conduct
13.4a separate selection for 20 percent of the elk licenses to be issued each year. Only
13.5individuals who have applied at least ten times for an elk license and who have never
13.6received a license are eligible for this separate selection.

13.7    Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.435, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
13.8    Subdivision 1. Number of licenses to be issued License issuance. The
13.9commissioner shall include in a rule setting the dates for a turkey season the number of
13.10licenses to be issued rules setting turkey seasons the methods for issuing licenses for
13.11those seasons.

13.12    Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.445, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
13.13    Subd. 1a. Angling in a state park. (a) A resident may take fish by angling without
13.14an angling license:
13.15(1) when shore fishing or wading on state-owned land within a state park.; or
13.16(2) when angling from a boat or float, this subdivision applies only to those or
13.17through the ice on water bodies completely encompassed within the statutory boundary of
13.18the state park.
13.19(b) The exemption from an angling license does not apply to waters where a trout
13.20stamp is required.

13.21    Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
13.22    Subd. 2. Resident hunting. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents
13.23only, are:
13.24    (1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take small game, $12.50;
13.25    (2) for persons ages 16 and 17 and age 65 or over, $6 to take small game;
13.26    (3) for persons age 18 or over to take turkey, $23;
13.27    (4) for persons under age 18 to take turkey, $12;
13.28    (5) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
13.29season, $26;
13.30    (6) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $26;
13.31    (7) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
13.32season, $26;
13.33    (8) to take moose, for a party of not more than six persons, $310;
14.1    (9) to take bear, $38;
14.2    (10) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, $250;
14.3    (11) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
14.4    (12) to take prairie chickens, $20;
14.5    (13) for persons under age 18 to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
14.6season, $13;
14.7    (14) for persons under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13; and
14.8    (15) for persons under age 18 to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
14.9season, $13.; and
14.10(16) to take sandhill cranes, $4.

14.11    Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
14.12    Subd. 3. Nonresident hunting. (a) Fees for the following licenses, to be issued
14.13to nonresidents, are:
14.14    (1) for persons age 18 or over to take small game, $73;
14.15    (2) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
14.16season, $135;
14.17    (3) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $135;
14.18    (4) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
14.19season, $135;
14.20    (5) to take bear, $195;
14.21    (6) for persons age 18 and older to take turkey, $78;
14.22    (7) for persons under age 18 to take turkey, $12;
14.23    (8) to take raccoon or bobcat, $155;
14.24    (9) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
14.25    (10) for persons under age 18 to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
14.26season in any open season option or time period, $13;
14.27    (11) for persons under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13; and
14.28    (12) for persons under age 18 to take deer during the muzzleloader season, $13.; and
14.29(13) to take sandhill cranes, $4.
14.30    (b) A $5 surcharge shall be added to nonresident hunting licenses issued under
14.31paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (8). An additional commission may not be assessed on this
14.32surcharge.

14.33    Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.475, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
15.1    Subd. 7. Nonresident fishing. (a) Fees for the following licenses, to be issued
15.2to nonresidents, are:
15.3    (1) to take fish by angling, $37.50;
15.4    (2) to take fish by angling limited to seven consecutive days selected by the licensee,
15.5$26.50;
15.6    (3) to take fish by angling for a 72-hour period selected by the licensee, $22;
15.7    (4) to take fish by angling for a combined license for a family for one or both parents
15.8and dependent children under the age of 16, $50.50;
15.9    (5) to take fish by angling for a 24-hour period selected by the licensee, $8.50;
15.10    (6) to take fish by angling for a combined license for a married couple, limited to 14
15.11consecutive days selected by one of the licensees, $38.50; and
15.12(7) to take fish by spearing from a dark house, $37.50.
15.13    (b) A $2 surcharge shall be added to all nonresident fishing licenses, except licenses
15.14issued under paragraph (a), clause (5), and licenses purchased at the resident fee by
15.15nonresidents under age 16 under section 97A.451, subdivision 5, paragraph (b). An
15.16additional commission may not be assessed on this surcharge.

15.17    Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.505, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
15.18    Subd. 2. Possession of unlawful animals brought into state prohibited. (a) A
15.19person may not possess a wild animal that has been unlawfully taken, bought, sold, or
15.20possessed outside the state, or unlawfully shipped into the state.
15.21(b) When entering the state from Canada, a person who possesses fish that were
15.22unlawfully taken or possessed under paragraph (a) may be charged in the same manner as
15.23for possessing fish that were unlawfully taken or possessed in the state.

15.24    Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.545, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
15.25    Subd. 5. Birds must be in undressed condition; exceptions. (a) Except as
15.26provided in paragraph (b), a person may ship or otherwise transport game birds in an
15.27undressed condition only.
15.28(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply if the birds being shipped or otherwise transported:
15.29(1) were taken on a shooting preserve and are marked or identified in accordance
15.30with section 97A.121, subdivision 5;
15.31(2) were taken, dressed, and lawfully shipped or otherwise transported in another
15.32state; or
15.33(3) are migratory game birds that were lawfully tagged and packed by a federally
15.34permitted migratory bird preservation facility.; or
16.1(4) are doves shipped or transported in accordance with federal law.

16.2    Sec. 36. [97B.0215] PARENT OR GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITY; VIOLATION.
16.3A parent or guardian may not knowingly direct, allow, or permit a person under the
16.4age of 18 to hunt without the required license, permit, training, or certification, or in
16.5violation of the game and fish laws.

16.6    Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.022, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
16.7    Subd. 2. Apprentice hunter validation requirements. A resident born after
16.8December 31, 1979, who is age 12 or older over and who does not possess a hunter
16.9education firearms safety certificate may be issued an apprentice hunter validation. An
16.10apprentice hunter validation is valid for only one may be purchased two license year years
16.11in a lifetime and used to obtain hunting licenses during the same license year that the
16.12validation is purchased. An individual in possession of an apprentice hunter validation
16.13may hunt small game and, deer, and bear only when accompanied by an adult licensed to
16.14hunt in Minnesota whose license was not obtained using an apprentice hunter validation.
16.15An apprentice hunter validation holder must obtain all required licenses and stamps.

16.16    Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.031, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
16.17    Subd. 5. Scopes; visually impaired hunters. (a) Notwithstanding any other law
16.18to the contrary, the commissioner may issue a special permit, without a fee, to use a
16.19muzzleloader with a scope to take deer during the muzzleloader season to a person who
16.20obtains the required licenses and who has a visual impairment. The scope may not have
16.21magnification capabilities.
16.22(b) The visual impairment must be to the extent that the applicant is unable to
16.23identify targets and the rifle sights at the same time without a scope. The visual impairment
16.24and specific conditions must be established by medical evidence verified in writing by
16.25(1) a licensed physician, or a certified nurse practitioner or certified physician assistant
16.26acting under the direction of a licensed physician; (2) a licensed ophthalmologist,; or (3)
16.27a licensed optometrist. The commissioner may request additional information from the
16.28physician if needed to verify the applicant's eligibility for the permit.
16.29(c) A permit issued under this subdivision may be valid for up to five years, based
16.30on the permanence of the visual impairment as determined by the licensed physician,
16.31ophthalmologist, or optometrist.
16.32(d) The permit must be in the immediate possession of the permittee when hunting
16.33under the special permit.
17.1(e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under
17.2this subdivision for cause, including a violation of the game and fish laws or rules.
17.3(f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or assists another in making
17.4a false application for a permit under this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor. A
17.5physician, certified nurse practitioner, certified physician assistant, ophthalmologist, or
17.6optometrist who fraudulently certifies to the commissioner that a person is visually
17.7impaired as described in this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.

17.8    Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.041, is amended to read:
17.997B.041 POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION RESTRICTED
17.10IN DEER ZONES.
17.11    (a) A person may not possess a firearm or ammunition outdoors during the period
17.12beginning the fifth day before the open firearms season and ending the second day after
17.13the close of the season within an area where deer may be taken by a firearm, except:
17.14    (1) during the open season and in an area where big game may be taken, a firearm
17.15and ammunition authorized for taking big game in that area may be used to take big game
17.16in that area if the person has a valid big game license in possession;
17.17    (2) an unloaded firearm that is in a case or in a closed trunk of a motor vehicle;
17.18    (3) a shotgun and shells containing No. 4 buckshot or smaller diameter lead shot
17.19or steel shot;
17.20    (4) a handgun or rifle capable of firing only rimfire cartridges of .17 and .22 caliber,
17.21including .22 magnum caliber cartridges;
17.22    (5) handguns possessed by a person authorized to carry a handgun under sections
17.23624.714 and 624.715 for the purpose authorized; and
17.24    (6) on a target range operated under a permit from the commissioner.
17.25    (b) This section does not apply during an open firearms season in an area where deer
17.26may be taken only by muzzleloader, except that muzzleloading firearms lawful for the
17.27taking of deer may be possessed only by persons with a valid license to take deer by
17.28muzzleloader, and those persons may not possess a firearm other than a muzzleloader legal
17.29for taking deer under section 97B.031, subdivision 1, or a handgun under paragraph (a),
17.30clause (4) or (5), when muzzleloader hunting during that the muzzleloader season.

17.31    Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.055, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
17.32    Subd. 3. Hunting from vehicle by disabled hunters. (a) The commissioner may
17.33issue a special permit, without a fee, to discharge a firearm or bow and arrow from a
17.34stationary motor vehicle to a person who obtains the required licenses and who has a
18.1permanent physical disability that is more substantial than discomfort from walking. The
18.2permit recipient must be:
18.3(1) unable to step from a vehicle without aid of a wheelchair, crutches, braces, or
18.4other mechanical support or prosthetic device; or
18.5(2) unable to walk any distance because of a permanent lung, heart, or other internal
18.6disease that requires the person to use supplemental oxygen to assist breathing.
18.7(b) The permanent physical disability must be established by medical evidence
18.8verified in writing by a licensed physician or, chiropractor, or certified nurse practitioner
18.9or certified physician assistant acting under the direction of a licensed physician. The
18.10commissioner may request additional information from the physician or chiropractor
18.11if needed to verify the applicant's eligibility for the permit. Notwithstanding section
18.1297A.418 , the commissioner may, in consultation with appropriate advocacy groups,
18.13establish reasonable minimum standards for permits to be issued under this section. In
18.14addition to providing the medical evidence of a permanent disability, the applicant must
18.15possess a valid disability parking certificate authorized by section 169.345 or license
18.16plates issued under section 168.021.
18.17(c) A person issued a special permit under this subdivision and hunting deer may
18.18take a deer of either sex, except in those antlerless permit areas and seasons where no
18.19antlerless permits are offered. This subdivision does not authorize another member of a
18.20party to take an antlerless deer under section 97B.301, subdivision 3.
18.21(d) A permit issued under this subdivision is valid for five years.
18.22(e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under
18.23this section for cause, including a violation of the game and fish laws or rules.
18.24(f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or assists another in making a
18.25false application for a permit under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. A physician,
18.26certified nurse practitioner, certified physician assistant, or chiropractor who fraudulently
18.27certifies to the commissioner that a person is permanently disabled as described in this
18.28section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
18.29(g) Notwithstanding paragraph (d), the commissioner may issue a permit valid for
18.30the entire life of the applicant if the commissioner determines that there is no chance
18.31that an applicant will become ineligible for a permit under this section and the applicant
18.32requests a lifetime permit.

18.33    Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.075, is amended to read:
18.3497B.075 HUNTING RESTRICTED BETWEEN EVENING AND MORNING.
19.1    (a) A person may not take protected wild animals, except raccoon and fox, with
19.2a firearm between the evening and morning times established by commissioner's rule,
19.3except as provided in this section.
19.4    (b) Big game may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour
19.5after sunset.
19.6    (c) Except as otherwise prescribed by the commissioner on or before the Saturday
19.7nearest October 8, waterfowl may be taken from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset
19.8during the entire season prescribed by the commissioner. On the opening day of the duck
19.9season, shooting hours for migratory game birds, except woodcock, begin at 9:00 a.m.

19.10    Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.106, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
19.11    Subdivision 1. Qualifications for crossbow permits. (a) The commissioner may
19.12issue a special permit, without a fee, to take big game, small game, or rough fish with a
19.13crossbow to a person that is unable to hunt or take rough fish by archery because of a
19.14permanent or temporary physical disability. A crossbow permit issued under this section
19.15also allows the permittee to use a bow with a mechanical device that draws, releases, or
19.16holds the bow at full draw as provided in section 97B.035, subdivision 1, paragraph (a).
19.17    (b) To qualify for a crossbow permit under this section, a temporary disability
19.18must render the person unable to hunt or fish by archery for a minimum of two years
19.19after application for the permit is made. The permanent or temporary disability must
19.20be established by medical evidence, and the inability to hunt or fish by archery for the
19.21required period of time must be verified in writing by (1) a licensed physician or a certified
19.22nurse practitioner or certified physician assistant acting under the direction of a licensed
19.23physician; or (2) a licensed chiropractor. A person who has received a special permit
19.24under this section because of a permanent disability is eligible for subsequent special
19.25permits without providing medical evidence and verification of the disability.
19.26    (c) The person must obtain the appropriate license.

19.27    Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.325, is amended to read:
19.2897B.325 DEER BIG GAME STAND RESTRICTIONS.
19.29A person may not take deer big game from a constructed platform or other structure
19.30that is located within the right-of-way of an improved public highway or is higher than 16
19.31feet above the ground. The height restriction does not apply to a portable stand that is
19.32chained, belted, clamped, or tied with rope.

20.1    Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.405, is amended to read:
20.297B.405 COMMISSIONER MAY LIMIT NUMBER OF BEAR HUNTERS.
20.3    (a) The commissioner may limit the number of persons that may hunt bear in an
20.4area, if it is necessary to prevent an overharvest or improve the distribution of hunters.
20.5The commissioner may establish, by rule, a method, including a drawing, to impartially
20.6select the hunters for an area. The commissioner shall give preference to hunters that have
20.7previously applied and have not been selected.
20.8    (b) In the case of a drawing, the commissioner shall allow a person to apply for a
20.9permit in more than one area at the same time and rank the person's choice of area.
20.10EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

20.11    Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.515, is amended by adding a
20.12subdivision to read:
20.13    Subd. 4. Taking elk causing damage or nuisance. The commissioner may
20.14authorize licensed hunters to take elk that are causing damage or nuisance from August
20.1515 to March 1 under rules prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner may issue
20.16licenses to hunters impartially selected from a list of elk hunt applicants who indicated on
20.17their application that they would be interested and available to respond to an elk damage
20.18or nuisance situation. Notwithstanding section 97A.433, subdivision 2, clause (2), a
20.19person receiving a license to hunt elk under this subdivision does not lose eligibility
20.20for future elk hunts.

20.21    Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.711, is amended by adding a subdivision
20.22to read:
20.23    Subd. 4. Shooting grouse prohibited near motor vehicle. A person in the vicinity
20.24of a motor vehicle may not discharge a firearm or an arrow from a bow at a grouse, or at a
20.25decoy of a grouse placed by an enforcement officer, unless the person is at least ten feet
20.26from the vehicle and the vehicle's engine is shut off. This subdivision does not apply to a
20.27person with a disability permit issued under section 97B.055, subdivision 3.

20.28    Sec. 47. [97B.732] SANDHILL CRANE LICENSE REQUIRED.
20.29A person may not take a sandhill crane without a sandhill crane license.

20.30    Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.803, is amended to read:
20.3197B.803 MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASONS AND LIMITS.
21.1(a) The commissioner shall prescribe seasons, limits, and areas for taking migratory
21.2waterfowl in accordance with federal law.
21.3(b) The regular duck season may not open before the Saturday closest to October 1.

21.4    Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97C.005, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
21.5    Subd. 3. Seasons, limits, and other rules. The commissioner may, in accordance
21.6with the procedures in subdivision 2, paragraphs (c) and (e), or by rule under chapter 14,
21.7establish open seasons, limits, methods, and other requirements for taking fish on special
21.8management waters. The commissioner may, by written order published in the State
21.9Register, amend daily, possession, or size limits to make midseason adjustments based
21.10on available harvest, angling pressure, and population data to manage the fisheries in the
21.111837 Ceded Territory in compliance with the court orders in Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa
21.12v. Minnesota, 119 S. Ct. 1187 (1999). The midseason adjustments in daily, possession, or
21.13size limits are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386
21.14does not apply. Before the written order is effective, the commissioner shall attempt to
21.15notify persons or groups of persons affected by the written order by public announcement,
21.16posting, and other appropriate means as determined by the commissioner.
21.17EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

21.18    Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97C.081, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
21.19    Subd. 3. Contests requiring a permit. (a) Unless subdivision 3a applies, a person
21.20must have a permit from the commissioner to conduct a fishing contest that does not meet
21.21the criteria in subdivision 2. if:
21.22(1) there are more than 25 boats for open water contests, more than 150 participants
21.23for ice fishing contests, or more than 100 participants for shore fishing contests;
21.24(2) entry fees are more than $25 per person; or
21.25(3) the contest is limited to trout species.
21.26(b) The commissioner shall charge a fee for the permit that recovers the costs of
21.27issuing the permit and of monitoring the activities allowed by the permit. Notwithstanding
21.28section 16A.1283, the commissioner may, by written order published in the State Register,
21.29establish contest permit fees. The fees are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of
21.30chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.
21.31    (b) (c) The commissioner may require the applicant to furnish evidence of financial
21.32responsibility in the form of a surety bond or bank letter of credit in the amount of $25,000
21.33if entry fees are over $25 per person, or total prizes are valued at more than $25,000, and
21.34if the applicant has either:
22.1    (1) not previously conducted a fishing contest requiring a permit under this
22.2subdivision; or
22.3    (2) ever failed to make required prize awards in a fishing contest conducted by
22.4the applicant, the commissioner may require the applicant to furnish the commissioner
22.5evidence of financial responsibility in the form of a surety bond or bank letter of credit in
22.6the amount of $25,000.
22.7    (c) (d) The permit fee for any individual contest may not exceed the following
22.8amounts:
22.9    (1) $60 for an open water contest not exceeding 50 boats and without off-site
22.10weigh-in;
22.11    (2) $200 for an open water contest with more than 50 boats and without off-site
22.12weigh-in;
22.13    (3) $250 for an open water contest not exceeding 50 boats with off-site weigh-in;
22.14    (4) $500 for an open water contest with more than 50 boats with off-site weigh-in; or
22.15    (5) $120 for an ice fishing contest with more than 150 participants.

22.16    Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97C.081, is amended by adding a
22.17subdivision to read:
22.18    Subd. 3a. Contests without a permit. A person may conduct a fishing contest
22.19without a permit from the commissioner if:
22.20(1) the contest is not limited to specifically named waters;
22.21(2) all the contest participants are age 18 years or under;
22.22(3) the contest is limited to rough fish; or
22.23(4) the total prize value is $500 or less.

22.24    Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97C.087, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
22.25    Subd. 2. Application for tag. Application for special fish management tags must
22.26be accompanied by a $5, nonrefundable application fee for each tag. A person may not
22.27make more than one tag application each calendar year. If a person makes more than one
22.28application, the person is ineligible for a special fish management tag for that season
22.29calendar year after determination by the commissioner, without a hearing.

22.30    Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97C.205, is amended to read:
22.3197C.205 TRANSPORTING AND STOCKING FISH.
22.32    (a) Except on the water body where taken, a person may not transport a live fish in a
22.33quantity of water sufficient to keep the fish alive, unless the fish:
23.1    (1) is being transported under an aquaculture license as authorized under sections
23.217.4985 and 17.4986;
23.3    (2) is being transported for a fishing contest weigh-in under section 97C.081;
23.4    (3) is a minnow being transported under section 97C.505 or 97C.515;
23.5    (4) is being transported by a commercial fishing license holder under section
23.697C.821 ; or
23.7    (5) is being transported as otherwise authorized in this section or as prescribed for
23.8certifiable diseases under sections 17.46 to 17.4999.
23.9    (b) The commissioner may adopt rules to allow and regulate:
23.10    (1) the transportation of fish and fish eggs; and
23.11    (2) the stocking of waters with fish or fish eggs.
23.12    (c) The commissioner must allow the possession of fish on special management or
23.13experimental waters to be prepared as a meal on the ice or on the shore of that water
23.14body if the fish:
23.15    (1) were lawfully taken;
23.16    (2) have been packaged by a licensed fish packer; and
23.17    (3) do not otherwise exceed the statewide possession limits.
23.18    (d) The commissioner shall prescribe rules designed to encourage local sporting
23.19organizations to propagate game fish by using rearing ponds. The rules must:
23.20    (1) prescribe methods to acquire brood stock for the ponds by seining public waters;
23.21    (2) allow the sporting organizations to own and use seines and other necessary
23.22equipment; and
23.23    (3) prescribe methods for stocking the fish in public waters that give priority to the
23.24needs of the community where the fish are reared and the desires of the organization
23.25operating the rearing pond.
23.26    (e) A person age 16 or under may, for purposes of display in a home aquarium,
23.27transport largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, rock bass, black crappie, white
23.28crappie, bluegill pumpkinseed, green sunfish, orange spotted sunfish, and black, yellow,
23.29and brown bullheads taken by angling, except as otherwise ordered by the commissioner
23.30upon documentation of an emergency fish disease in Minnesota waters, as defined in
23.31section 17.4982, subdivision 9. No more than four of each species may be transported at
23.32any one time, and any individual fish can be no longer than ten inches in total length. The
23.33commissioner may, by written order published in the State Register, prohibit transportation
23.34of live fish under this paragraph to help prevent spread of an emergency fish disease
23.35documented to occur in Minnesota waters. The order is exempt from the rulemaking
23.36provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.

24.1    Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97C.311, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
24.2    Subdivision 1. License required. A person may not operate a charter boat and
24.3guide anglers on Lake Superior or the St. Louis River Estuary waters of the state for
24.4compensation without a fishing guide license. For purposes of this subdivision and section
24.597A.475, subdivision 15 , "St. Louis River Estuary" means the United States Coast Guard
24.6navigable waters of the lower St. Louis River to the Minnesota State Highway No. 23
24.7bridge.

24.8    Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97C.341, is amended to read:
24.997C.341 CERTAIN AQUATIC LIFE PROHIBITED FOR BAIT.
24.10(a) A person may not use live minnows imported from outside of the state, game
24.11fish, goldfish, or carp for bait. The commissioner may, by written order published in
24.12the State Register, authorize use of game fish eggs as bait and prescribe restrictions on
24.13their use. The order is exempt from the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section
24.1414.386 does not apply.
24.15(b) A person may not import or possess live, frozen, or processed bait from known
24.16waters where viral hemorrhagic septicemia has been identified as being present, except as
24.17provided in paragraph (c). For purposes of this paragraph, "bait" includes fish, aquatic
24.18worms, amphibians, invertebrates, and insects used for angling taking wild animals in
24.19waters of the state.
24.20    (c) Cisco and rainbow smelt taken under rules adopted by the commissioner may
24.21be used as:
24.22    (1) fresh or frozen bait only on Lake Superior; or
24.23    (2) bait that has been processed to inactivate viral hemorrhagic septicemia in a
24.24manner prescribed by rules adopted by the commissioner.
24.25EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

24.26    Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 604A.21, is amended by adding a
24.27subdivision to read:
24.28    Subd. 7. State walk-in access program. Land enrolled in a state-sponsored walk-in
24.29access program is deemed, for the purposes of sections 604A.20 to 604A.27, to be land that
24.30an owner has made available without charge for recreational purposes, notwithstanding
24.31any payments which may be made to the owner by the state for enrollment of the land in
24.32such program.

25.1    Sec. 57. RULEMAKING.
25.2(a) The commissioner of natural resources shall amend Minnesota Rules, parts
25.36242.0900, subpart 13, and 6242.1000, subpart 1, to allow an option for game farm
25.4licensees to use approved report and sales receipt formats.
25.5(b) The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes,
25.6section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules under this section, and Minnesota
25.7Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply except as provided under Minnesota Statutes,
25.8section 14.388.

25.9    Sec. 58. REPEALER.
25.10Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 84.942, subdivisions 2, 3, and 4; 97A.015,
25.11subdivisions 26b, 27b, and 27c; 97A.435, subdivision 5; 97B.511; 97B.515, subdivision 3;
25.12and 97C.081, subdivision 2, are repealed.
feedback