HF 297

1st Committee Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/19/2013 07:28pm

A bill for an act
relating to dogs; creating a regional dog park permit and matching grant program
in the Twin Cities metropolitan area; appropriating money; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 473.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [473.361] REGIONAL DOG PARK PERMIT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin (a) The Metropolitan Council must administer a regional dog park permit program
in the metropolitan area. The Metropolitan Council may charge an administration fee of
up to $25 per person or family for a regional dog park permit, which is valid for three
years from the date of issuance. A person may apply for a regional dog park permit on a
form provided by the Metropolitan Council.
new text end

new text begin (b) A local governmental unit must allow a person issued and possessing a valid
regional dog park permit to use any dog park for which the local governmental unit
received funding from the Metropolitan Council under the dog park matching grant
program in section 473.3615.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [473.3615] DOG PARK MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin (a) The Metropolitan Council must administer a dog park matching grant program to
provide grant funding to local governmental units for the establishment, expansion, or
maintenance of dog parks.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Metropolitan Council must solicit dog park matching grant proposals
from local governmental units at least annually, subject to funding availability. Eligible
applicants must agree in writing to:
new text end

new text begin (1) allow a person issued and possessing a valid regional dog park permit issued
under section 473.361 to access and use a dog park funded in whole or in part by the
dog park matching grant program;
new text end

new text begin (2) post the minimum dog park rules in paragraph (c);
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new text begin (3) provide matching contributions at a rate of at least one to two that may include
in-kind contributions of land, access roadways and access roadway improvements, and
necessary landscaping and parking; and
new text end

new text begin (4) post a conspicuous sign at major points of entry stating that the dog park was
funded wholly or partially by the people of Minnesota through a constitutional amendment
adopted in November 2008. If a standard sign is required by Minnesota Statutes for all
parks and trails funded wholly or partially by the constitutional amendment, the applicant
must agree to acquire and post the standard sign.
new text end

new text begin The Metropolitan Council must rank eligible dog park proposals that satisfy the
conditions in clauses (1) to (4) according to criteria that include but are not limited to
prioritizing a proposed dog park that would be located in a portion of the metropolitan area
with limited or no public dog park availability and prioritizing the creation of new dog
parks over the maintenance or expansion of existing dog parks. The Metropolitan Council
may enter into agreements with local units of government for the purpose of this program.
new text end

new text begin (c) Minimum dog park rules are:
new text end

new text begin (1) all dogs must enter and exit the park on a leash;
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new text begin (2) all dogs must be licensed by the appropriate local authority; and
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new text begin (3) dogs under the age of four months are not allowed in the park.
new text end

new text begin A local governmental unit may use a portion of any funding received under this
section to enforce the posted rules at a dog park funded in whole or in part by the dog park
matching grant program.
new text end

new text begin (d) The Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission created by section 473.303
shall advise the council on the implementation and operation of the regional dog park
permit program in section 473.361 and the dog park matching grant program established
under this section.
new text end

new text begin (e) No later than January 15, 2011, the chair of the Metropolitan Council must
provide a program report along with any program recommendations to the house of
representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over environmental finance
and, if such committees exist, the house of representatives and senate committees with
jurisdiction over the allocation of constitutionally dedicated parks and trails funding.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin DOG PARK PERMIT AND GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin $500,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2011 are appropriated
from the parks and trails fund established in Minnesota Statutes, section 85.53, to the
Metropolitan Council for implementation and operation of the regional dog park permit
program in section 1 and the dog park matching grant program in section 2.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin APPLICATION.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 3 apply in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end