HF 2556

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/23/2022 12:27pm

A bill for an act
relating to game and fish; requiring the use of nontoxic ammunition; appropriating
money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [97B.032] NONTOXIC AMMUNITION REQUIRED.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Lead ammunition prohibited. new text end

new text begin A person may not use or possess lead
ammunition when hunting with firearms.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Hunter notification. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must notify hunters of the requirements
of this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Civil penalty. new text end

new text begin A person who violates this section is subject to the following
civil penalties:
new text end

new text begin (1) $500 for the first offense; and
new text end

new text begin (2) a penalty of at least $1,000 but no more than $5,000 for each subsequent offense.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Nontoxic ammunition vouchers. new text end

new text begin (a) To the extent funding is available, the
commissioner must establish a program to provide hunters with nontoxic ammunition at no
cost or at a reduced cost. The program must include a voucher for nontoxic ammunition
with a value not to exceed the average value of nontoxic ammunition in the state as
determined by the commissioner. The commissioner may work with partners to secure
additional resources for the program from local, federal, and private sources.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority leaders
of the house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over
the environment and natural resources on the implementation and redemption rates of
vouchers issued in the previous fiscal year. The report must be submitted by January 15 the
year following any fiscal year the program was being implemented.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Nontoxic shot buy-back and exchange program. new text end

new text begin To the extent funding is
available, the commissioner must establish a program to buy back lead ammunition from
hunters and provide opportunities for hunters to exchange lead ammunition with nontoxic
ammunition.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Exemption. new text end

new text begin This section does not apply to peace officers, other government
officials or employees, or their agents when carrying out a duty required by law.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2022 and $....... in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the
....... fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the nontoxic shot voucher program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 97B.032, subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin (b) $....... in fiscal year 2022 and $....... in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the
....... fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the nontoxic shot buy-back and
exchange program under Minnesota Statutes, section 97B.032, subdivision 5.
new text end