1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to natural resources; appropriating money for 
  1.3             the Minnesota rock, gem, and mineral interpretative 
  1.4             center. 
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  [MINNESOTA ROCK, GEM, AND MINERAL 
  1.7   INTERPRETATIVE CENTER; APPROPRIATION FOR DESIGN; COMMISSIONER'S 
  1.8   POWERS AND DUTIES.] 
  1.9      $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the 
  1.10  commissioner of natural resources for architectural design and 
  1.11  engineering studies for a Minnesota rock, gem, and mineral 
  1.12  interpretative center to be located within an existing state 
  1.13  park or recreational area near prime rock collecting areas. 
  1.14     The commissioner shall initiate the architectural and 
  1.15  engineering design for the center.  The focal point of the 
  1.16  center shall be the display of Lake Superior agates as well as 
  1.17  rocks, gems, minerals, and geologic artifacts indigenous to 
  1.18  Minnesota.  The commissioner shall consult with the Minnesota 
  1.19  geological survey and members of state and local rock, gem, and 
  1.20  mineral associations on the design of the center. 
  1.21     The commissioner may accept for display at the center 
  1.22  rocks, gems, minerals, and geologic artifacts collected by 
  1.23  individuals and associations and shall enter into any loan 
  1.24  agreements necessary to protect all parties from liability for 
  1.25  loss or damage to items loaned for display. 
  2.1      The commissioner shall prepare information for visitors 
  2.2   describing geologic field trips and local rock collecting 
  2.3   opportunities and, in addition, shall display and provide 
  2.4   written information on other areas of the state that provide 
  2.5   prime rock, gem, and mineral collecting opportunities.  The 
  2.6   commissioner shall consult with the Minnesota Geological Society 
  2.7   as well as state and local rock, gem, and mineral associations 
  2.8   on the location of prime collection sites and on the preparation 
  2.9   of field trip literature.  The money appropriated by this 
  2.10  section is available until expended. 
  2.11     Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
  2.12     Section 1 is effective July 1, 1997.