SF 2238

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/16/2016 03:31pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; providing for reimbursement of costs associated
with beaver damage; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 97B.655,
subdivision 2; 97B.665, subdivision 2; 97B.667, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.655, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Special permit for taking protected wild animals.

The commissioner
may issue special permits under section 97A.401, subdivision 5, to take protected wild
animals that are damaging property or to remove or destroy their dens, nests, houses, or
dams. new text begin Costs associated with taking beaver that are damaging property or with removing
or destroying beaver lodges or dams are reimbursable according to section 97B.667,
subdivision 5, if incurred under a special permit issued under this subdivision.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.665, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Petition to district court.

If a beaver dam causes a threat to personal
safety or a serious threat to damage property, a person may petition the district court for
relief. The court may order the owners of private property where beaver dams are located
to take action to reduce the threat. A permit is not required for an action ordered by the
court. The action may include destruction or alteration of beaver dams and removal of
beaver. This subdivision does not apply to state parks, state game refuges, and federal
game refuges. new text begin Costs incurred for actions ordered by the court under this subdivision are
reimbursable according to section 97B.667, subdivision 5.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.667, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Cost reimbursement. new text end

new text begin (a) A person may submit to the commissioner for
reimbursement receipts for costs incurred for beaver control methods authorized under
this section or section 97B.655, subdivision 2, or 97B.665, subdivision 2. Costs eligible
for reimbursement include costs for:
new text end

new text begin (1) taking beaver;
new text end

new text begin (2) removing, altering, or destroying a beaver lodge or dam;
new text end

new text begin (3) repairing damage to property caused by beaver;
new text end

new text begin (4) removing impairments caused by beaver when the impairments interfere with
public drainage systems or threaten to damage public property; or
new text end

new text begin (5) arranging for or contracting with a third party to perform an action under clauses
(1) to (4).
new text end

new text begin (b) A person must submit receipts for reimbursement during the state fiscal year that
the costs were incurred. The commissioner must reimburse eligible costs evidenced by
valid receipts submitted under paragraph (a) within 45 days of receiving the request for
reimbursement. The commissioner must use money from the base budget of the Division
of Fish and Wildlife. No money is appropriated to fund reimbursements according to
this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may reduce the amount requested for reimbursement by the
amount of any grant received by the requester under section 103F.950.
new text end