HF 634

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; creating an off-highway
vehicle safety and conservation grant program;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 84; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2004, section
84.901.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [84.785] OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE SAFETY AND
CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of natural
resources shall establish an off-highway vehicle safety and
conservation grant program to make grants to organizations that
meet the eligibility requirements under subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The purpose of the off-highway vehicle
safety and conservation grant program is to encourage
off-highway vehicle clubs to assist in safety training;
environmental education; and improving, maintaining, and
monitoring public trails. This section does not grant law
enforcement authority.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin To be eligible for a grant under
this section, an organization must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be a statewide, nonprofit organization that promotes
the operation of off-highway vehicles in a manner that is safe
and responsible;
new text end

new text begin (2) support the safe operation of off-highway vehicles in a
manner that does not conflict with the laws and rules that
relate to the operation of off-highway vehicles;
new text end

new text begin (3) have an interest in the safe, lawful, and responsible
operation of off-highway vehicles;
new text end

new text begin (4) be governed by a board of directors that has a majority
of members who are representatives of off-highway vehicle clubs;
and
new text end

new text begin (5) provide support to off-highway vehicle clubs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Use of grant. new text end

new text begin An organization receiving a grant
under this section shall use the grant money to promote and
provide support to the Department of Natural Resources by:
new text end

new text begin (1) training volunteers to assist in improving,
maintaining, and monitoring public trails and other public
lands;
new text end

new text begin (2) providing assistance to the department in locating,
recruiting, and training instructors;
new text end

new text begin (3) publishing a manual in cooperation with the
commissioner to be used to train volunteers in monitoring the
operation of off-highway vehicles for safety, environmental, and
other issues that relate to the responsible operation of
off-highway vehicles;
new text end

new text begin (4) collecting data on the operation of off-highway
vehicles in the state; and
new text end

new text begin (5) publishing an annual report outlining accomplishments
and annual costs related to the efforts under this subdivision.
The report must be approved by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Volunteer status. new text end

new text begin Volunteers of the nonprofit
organization and any volunteers under this section are not
volunteers for purposes of section 84.089.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Worker displacement prohibited. new text end

new text begin The
commissioner may not enter into any agreement that has the
purpose of or results in the displacement of public employees by
volunteers participating in the off-highway vehicle safety and
conservation grant program under this section. The commissioner
must certify to the appropriate bargaining agent that the work
performed by a volunteer will not result in the displacement of
currently employed workers or workers on seasonal layoff or
layoff from a substantially equivalent position, including
partial displacement such as reduction in hours of nonovertime
work, wages, or other employment benefits.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.901, is repealed.
new text end