1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to game and fish; providing for certain 
  1.3             lifetime game and fish licenses; establishing the 
  1.4             lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund; imposing fees; 
  1.5             requiring an annual report; providing for cervidae 
  1.6             shooting preserves; modifying provisions for 
  1.7             designating experimental waters; modifying provisions 
  1.8             for fishing contests; modifying transportation 
  1.9             requirements for archery bows; restricting rulemaking 
  1.10            authority for taking yellow perch; exempting archery 
  1.11            bows used for bowfishing from casing requirements; 
  1.12            modifying crossbow permit provisions; modifying 
  1.13            certain licenses issued without a fee; modifying tag 
  1.14            requirements; providing for hunting licenses for 
  1.15            persons with mental retardation; modifying big game 
  1.16            ammunition requirements; modifying blaze orange 
  1.17            requirements; modifying certain provisions for deer 
  1.18            hunting licenses; appropriating money; amending 
  1.19            Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 17.451, subdivision 
  1.20            2; 17.452, subdivisions 5 and 8; 97A.071, subdivision 
  1.21            2; 97A.411, subdivision 1; 97A.421; 97A.441, 
  1.22            subdivision 7; 97A.475, subdivisions 2 and 4; 97A.535, 
  1.23            subdivision 1; 97B.015, by adding a subdivision; 
  1.24            97B.031, subdivision 1; 97B.051; 97B.055, subdivision 
  1.25            2; 97B.071; 97B.106; 97B.301, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, 
  1.26            and by adding subdivisions; 97C.001, subdivision 1; 
  1.27            97C.081, subdivisions 2, 3, and by adding 
  1.28            subdivisions; and 97C.401, by adding a subdivision; 
  1.29            Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, sections 97A.075, 
  1.30            subdivision 1; and 97B.020; proposing coding for new 
  1.31            law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 17; 97A; 97B; and 
  1.32            97C. 
  1.33  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.34     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 17.451, 
  1.35  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  1.36     Subd. 2.  [FARMED CERVIDAE.] "Farmed cervidae" means 
  1.37  members of the cervidae family that are: 
  1.38     (1) raised for the purpose of shooting, harvesting, 
  1.39  producing fiber, meat, or animal by-products, as pets, or as 
  2.1   breeding stock; and 
  2.2      (2) registered in a manner approved by the board of animal 
  2.3   health.  
  2.4      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 17.452, 
  2.5   subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
  2.6      Subd. 5.  [RAISING FARMED CERVIDAE IS AN AGRICULTURAL 
  2.7   PURSUIT.] Raising farmed cervidae is agricultural production and 
  2.8   an agricultural pursuit, which may include the sale of farmed 
  2.9   cervidae to a person for personal consumption.  Personal 
  2.10  consumption may include the taking of farmed cervidae by 
  2.11  firearms or archery on a licensed shooting preserve. 
  2.12     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 17.452, 
  2.13  subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
  2.14     Subd. 8.  [SLAUGHTER.] Farmed cervidae that are to be sold 
  2.15  for commercial meat purposes must be slaughtered and inspected 
  2.16  in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture 
  2.17  voluntary program for exotic animals, Code of Federal 
  2.18  Regulations, title 9, part 352. 
  2.19     Sec. 4.  [17.4521] [CERVIDAE SHOOTING PRESERVES.] 
  2.20     Subdivision 1.  [FEES FOR SHOOTING PRESERVES.] (a) The fee 
  2.21  for a cervidae shooting preserve license is $900 annually.  The 
  2.22  fee shall be deposited in the game and fish fund.  
  2.23     (b) Shooting preserve licenses issued under this 
  2.24  subdivision expire on the last day of March. 
  2.25     Subd. 2.  [SHOOTING PRESERVE APPLICATION.] The commissioner 
  2.26  may license up to ten cervidae shooting preserves in the state. 
  2.27  An application for a cervidae shooting preserve license must be 
  2.28  filed with the commissioner.  The application must include a 
  2.29  legal description of the shooting preserve land, number of 
  2.30  acres, species to be harvested, and other necessary information 
  2.31  prescribed by the commissioner. 
  2.32     Subd. 3.  [LICENSES.] A person may not operate a cervidae 
  2.33  shooting preserve without a license.  The commissioner, in 
  2.34  consultation with the commissioner of natural resources, may 
  2.35  issue a license to operate a cervidae shooting preserve if the 
  2.36  commissioner determines that it is in the public interest and 
  3.1   that there will not be an adverse effect on wild cervidae 
  3.2   populations.  Shooting preserves may be located in all parts of 
  3.3   the state as determined by the commissioner.  The commissioner 
  3.4   must perform a site inspection before a license may be issued.  
  3.5   The commissioner may waive the inspection prior to granting the 
  3.6   license.  The commissioner shall either grant or deny the 
  3.7   request for a shooting preserve license within 60 days of the 
  3.8   date the initial completed application was received or within 30 
  3.9   days of a request for license renewal. 
  3.10     Subd. 4.  [GAME AVAILABLE.] Game that may be released and 
  3.11  harvested in a licensed cervidae shooting preserve must be 
  3.12  specified in the license and are limited to species raised as 
  3.13  farmed cervidae under sections 17.451 and 17.452.  Only farmed 
  3.14  cervidae from herds in the accredited program of the board of 
  3.15  animal health may be transported to and released in a licensed 
  3.16  cervidae shooting preserve. 
  3.17     Subd. 5.  [LOCATION; SIZE OF PRESERVE.] A shooting preserve 
  3.18  must be separated from any farmed cervidae breeding pens or 
  3.19  pastures by a minimum distance established by the commissioner. 
  3.20  A shooting preserve must contain not less than 240 nor more than 
  3.21  960 contiguous acres, including any water area, and must have 
  3.22  areas of cover to provide for concealment of the cervidae 
  3.23  sufficient to prevent the cervidae from being visible in all 
  3.24  parts of the preserve at one time and must afford cervidae the 
  3.25  chance of escape from pursuit by patrons of the shooting 
  3.26  preserve. 
  3.27     Subd. 6.  [POSTING OF BOUNDARIES.] The boundaries of a 
  3.28  shooting preserve must be clearly posted in a manner prescribed 
  3.29  by the commissioner.  The operator must post signs around the 
  3.30  entire perimeter of the preserve at intervals not to exceed 500 
  3.31  feet. 
  3.32     Subd. 7.  [FENCING AND ENCLOSURES.] All perimeter fencing 
  3.33  must comply with farmed cervidae requirements in section 17.452. 
  3.34     Subd. 8.  [REMOVAL OF ALL WILD CERVIDAE.] All wild cervidae 
  3.35  must be removed from the shooting preserve property at the 
  3.36  owner's expense prior to final issuance of the shooting preserve 
  4.1   license. 
  4.2      Subd. 9.  [REVOCATION OF LICENSE.] The commissioner may 
  4.3   revoke a shooting preserve license if the licensee or persons 
  4.4   authorized to hunt in the shooting preserve have been convicted 
  4.5   of a violation under this section.  After revocation, a new 
  4.6   license may be issued at the discretion of the commissioner. 
  4.7      Subd. 10.  [HUNTING LICENSE NOT REQUIRED.] A hunting 
  4.8   license is not required to hunt authorized species of cervidae 
  4.9   on a licensed shooting preserve. 
  4.10     Subd. 11.  [SEASON.] (a) The open season for harvesting in 
  4.11  a shooting preserve is August 15 through March 31. 
  4.12     (b) The commissioner may restrict the open season after 
  4.13  receiving a complaint, holding a public hearing, and finding 
  4.14  that the population of a particular species of wild cervidae is 
  4.15  harmed by harvesting in the shooting preserve. 
  4.16     Subd. 12.  [WEAPONS LIMITATIONS.] A person may take farmed 
  4.17  cervidae on a shooting preserve by archery or firearms 
  4.18  authorized by law to take wild cervidae in the same area. 
  4.19     Subd. 13.  [LICENSEE MAY ESTABLISH RESTRICTIONS.] A 
  4.20  shooting preserve licensee is responsible for determining who is 
  4.21  allowed to harvest in the preserve.  In each preserve, the 
  4.22  licensee may establish the charge for taking cervidae, the 
  4.23  shooting hours, the season, weapon limitations, and restrictions 
  4.24  on the age, sex, and number of each species that may be taken by 
  4.25  the hunter.  These provisions may not conflict with this section 
  4.26  and may not be less restrictive than any rule. 
  4.27     Subd. 14.  [IDENTIFICATION AND MARKING OF CERVIDAE.] All 
  4.28  cervidae must be identified by permanent tattoo, electronic 
  4.29  implant, or other means of identification that comply with 
  4.30  section 17.452. 
  4.31     Subd. 15.  [MARKING HARVESTED CERVIDAE.] Harvested cervidae 
  4.32  must be marked in accordance with or identified by the shooting 
  4.33  preserve operator in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.  
  4.34  The commissioner may issue the tags or other markings at a cost 
  4.35  not to exceed $2 each.  The marking must remain attached on the 
  4.36  cervidae while the cervidae is transported. 
  5.1      Subd. 16.  [RECORDKEEPING.] A shooting preserve must 
  5.2   maintain a registration book listing the names, addresses, and 
  5.3   hunting license numbers, if applicable, of all patrons of the 
  5.4   shooting preserve, the date when they harvested, the amount and 
  5.5   species of cervidae taken, and the tag numbers or other markings 
  5.6   affixed to each animal.  A shooting preserve must keep records 
  5.7   of the number of each species raised and purchased and the date 
  5.8   and number of each species released.  An annual report shall be 
  5.9   made to the commissioner by the date herd registration is 
  5.10  required.  The records must be open to inspection by the 
  5.11  commissioner at all reasonable times. 
  5.12     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97A.071, 
  5.13  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  5.14     Subd. 2.  [REVENUE FROM THE SMALL GAME LICENSE SURCHARGE.] 
  5.15  Revenue from the small game surcharge and $4 annually from the 
  5.16  lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, established in section 
  5.17  97A.4742, for each license issued under sections 97A.473, 
  5.18  subdivisions 3 and 5, and 97A.474, subdivision 3, shall be 
  5.19  credited to the wildlife acquisition account and the money in 
  5.20  the account shall be used by the commissioner only for the 
  5.21  purposes of this section, and acquisition and development of 
  5.22  wildlife lands under section 97A.145 and maintenance of the 
  5.23  lands, in accordance with appropriations made by the legislature.
  5.24     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, section 
  5.25  97A.075, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  5.26     Subdivision 1.  [DEER AND BEAR LICENSES.] (a) For purposes 
  5.27  of this subdivision, "deer license" means a license issued under 
  5.28  section 97A.475, subdivisions 2, clauses (4), (5), and (9), and 
  5.29  3, clauses (2), (3), and (7), and licenses issued under section 
  5.30  97B.301, subdivision 4.  A deer license issued under section 
  5.31  97A.475, subdivision 2, clause (6), means the dollar amount in 
  5.32  paragraphs (b) and (c) are doubled for deer management.  
  5.33     (b) At least $2 from each annual deer license and $2 
  5.34  annually from the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, 
  5.35  established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under 
  5.36  section 97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be used for deer habitat 
  6.1   improvement or deer management programs.  
  6.2      (c) At least $1 from each annual deer license and each bear 
  6.3   license and $1 annually from the lifetime fish and wildlife 
  6.4   trust fund, established in section 97A.4742, for each license 
  6.5   issued under section 97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be used for 
  6.6   deer and bear management programs, including a computerized 
  6.7   licensing system.  Fifty cents from each deer license is 
  6.8   appropriated for emergency deer feeding.  Money appropriated for 
  6.9   emergency deer feeding is available until expended.  When the 
  6.10  unencumbered balance in the appropriation for emergency deer 
  6.11  feeding at the end of a fiscal year exceeds $1,500,000 for the 
  6.12  first time, $750,000, is canceled to the unappropriated balance 
  6.13  of the game and fish fund. 
  6.14     Thereafter, when the unencumbered balance in the 
  6.15  appropriation for emergency deer feeding exceeds $1,500,000 at 
  6.16  the end of a fiscal year, the unencumbered balance in excess of 
  6.17  $1,500,000 is canceled and available for deer and bear 
  6.18  management programs and computerized licensing. 
  6.19     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97A.411, 
  6.20  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  6.21     Subdivision 1.  [LICENSE PERIOD.] (a) Except as provided in 
  6.22  paragraphs (b) and, (c), and (d), a license is valid during the 
  6.23  lawful time within the license year that the licensed activity 
  6.24  may be performed.  A license year begins on the first day of 
  6.25  March and ends on the last day of February. 
  6.26     (b) A license issued under section 97A.475, subdivision 6, 
  6.27  clause (5), 97A.475, subdivision 7, clause (2), (3), (5), or 
  6.28  (6), or 97A.475, subdivision 12, clause (2), is valid for the 
  6.29  full license period even if this period extends into the next 
  6.30  license year, provided that the license period selected by the 
  6.31  licensee begins at the time of issuance. 
  6.32     (c) When the last day of February falls on a Saturday, an 
  6.33  annual resident or nonresident fish house or dark house license, 
  6.34  including a rental fish house or dark house license, obtained 
  6.35  for the license year covering the last day of February, is valid 
  6.36  through Sunday, March 1 and the angling license of the fish 
  7.1   house licensee is extended through March 1. 
  7.2      (d) A lifetime license issued under section 97A.473 or 
  7.3   97A.474 is valid during the lawful time within the license year 
  7.4   that the licensed activity may be performed for the lifetime of 
  7.5   the licensee. 
  7.6      Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97A.421, is 
  7.7   amended to read: 
  7.8      97A.421 [VALIDITY AND ISSUANCE OF LICENSES AFTER 
  7.9   CONVICTION.] 
  7.10     Subdivision 1.  [GENERAL.] (a) The annual license of a 
  7.11  person convicted of a violation of the game and fish laws 
  7.12  relating to the license or wild animals covered by the license 
  7.13  is void when: 
  7.14     (1) a second conviction occurs within three years under a 
  7.15  license to take small game or to take fish by angling or 
  7.16  spearing; 
  7.17     (2) a third conviction occurs within one year under a 
  7.18  minnow dealer's license; 
  7.19     (3) a second conviction occurs within three years for 
  7.20  violations of section 97A.425 that do not involve falsifications 
  7.21  or intentional omissions of information required to be recorded, 
  7.22  or attempts to conceal unlawful acts within the records; 
  7.23     (4) two or more misdemeanor convictions occur within a 
  7.24  three-year period under a private fish hatchery license; or 
  7.25     (5) the conviction occurs under a license not described in 
  7.26  clause (1), (2), or (4) or is for a violation of section 97A.425 
  7.27  not described in clause (3).  
  7.28     (b) Except for big game licenses and as otherwise provided 
  7.29  in this section, for one year after the conviction the person 
  7.30  may not obtain the kind of license or take wild animals under a 
  7.31  lifetime license, issued under section 97A.473 or 97A.474, 
  7.32  relating to the game and fish law violation.  
  7.33     Subd. 2.  [ISSUANCE OF LICENSE AFTER CONVICTION FOR BUYING 
  7.34  AND SELLING WILD ANIMALS.] A person may not obtain a license to 
  7.35  take any wild animal or take wild animals under a lifetime 
  7.36  license, issued under section 97A.473 or 97A.474, for a period 
  8.1   of three years after being convicted of buying or selling game 
  8.2   fish, big game, or small game, and the total amount of the sale 
  8.3   is $300 or more. 
  8.4      Subd. 3.  [ISSUANCE OF A BIG GAME LICENSE AFTER 
  8.5   CONVICTION.] A person may not obtain any big game license or 
  8.6   take big game under a lifetime license, issued under section 
  8.7   97A.473, for three years after the person is convicted of: 
  8.8      (1) a gross misdemeanor violation under the game and fish 
  8.9   laws relating to big game; 
  8.10     (2) doing an act without a required big game license; or 
  8.11     (3) the second violation within three years under the game 
  8.12  and fish laws relating to big game.  
  8.13     Subd. 4.  [ISSUANCE AFTER INTOXICATION OR NARCOTICS 
  8.14  CONVICTION.] A person convicted of a violation under section 
  8.15  97B.065, relating to hunting while intoxicated or using 
  8.16  narcotics, may not obtain a license to hunt with a firearm or by 
  8.17  archery or hunt with a firearm under a lifetime license, issued 
  8.18  under section 97A.473 or 97A.474, for five years after 
  8.19  conviction.  
  8.20     Subd. 5.  [COMMISSIONER MAY REINSTATE CERTAIN LICENSES 
  8.21  AFTER CONVICTION.] If the commissioner determines that the 
  8.22  public welfare will not be injured, the commissioner may 
  8.23  reinstate licenses voided under subdivision 1 and issue licenses 
  8.24  to persons ineligible under subdivision 2.  The commissioner's 
  8.25  authority applies only to licenses to:  
  8.26     (1) maintain and operate fur or game farms or private fish 
  8.27  hatcheries; 
  8.28     (2) take fish commercially in Lake of the Woods, Rainy 
  8.29  Lake, Namakan Lake, or Lake Superior; 
  8.30     (3) buy fish from Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake, Namakan 
  8.31  Lake, or Lake Superior commercial fishing licensees; and 
  8.32     (4) sell live minnows.  
  8.33     Subd. 6.  [APPLICABILITY TO MOOSE OR ELK LICENSES.] In this 
  8.34  section the term "license" includes an application for a license 
  8.35  to take either moose or elk. 
  8.36     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97A.441, 
  9.1   subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
  9.2      Subd. 7.  [OWNERS OR TENANTS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.] (a) The 
  9.3   commissioner may shall issue, without an additional a fee, a 
  9.4   license to take additional a deer with firearms under section 
  9.5   97B.301, subdivision 4, of either sex to a person who is an 
  9.6   owner or tenant and lives is living and actively farming on at 
  9.7   least ten 80 acres of agricultural land, as defined in section 
  9.8   97B.001, in an area where the commissioner has made these 
  9.9   licenses available.  Landowners and tenants applying for a 
  9.10  license under this subdivision must receive preference over 
  9.11  other applicants for the licenses deer permit areas that have 
  9.12  deer archery licenses to take additional deer under section 
  9.13  97B.301, subdivision 4.  A person may receive only one license 
  9.14  per year under this subdivision.  For properties with coowners 
  9.15  or cotenants, only one coowner or cotenant may receive a license 
  9.16  under this subdivision per year.  The license issued under this 
  9.17  subdivision is restricted to the land owned or leased by the 
  9.18  holder of the license within the permit area where the 
  9.19  qualifying land is located.  The holder of the license may 
  9.20  transfer the license to the holder's spouse or dependent.  
  9.21  Notwithstanding sections 97A.415, subdivision 1, and 97B.301, 
  9.22  subdivision 2, the holder of the license may purchase an 
  9.23  additional license for taking deer and may take an additional 
  9.24  deer under that license. 
  9.25     (b) Persons A person who obtain obtains a license under 
  9.26  paragraph (a) must allow public deer hunting on their land 
  9.27  during that deer hunting season, with the exception of the first 
  9.28  Saturday and Sunday during the deer hunting season applicable to 
  9.29  the license issued under section 97A.475, subdivision 2, clause 
  9.30  (4). 
  9.31     Sec. 10.  [97A.473] [RESIDENT LIFETIME LICENSES.] 
  9.32     Subdivision 1.  [RESIDENT LIFETIME LICENSES 
  9.33  AUTHORIZED.] (a) The commissioner may issue a lifetime angling 
  9.34  license, a lifetime small game hunting license, a lifetime 
  9.35  firearms deer license, or a lifetime sporting license to a 
  9.36  person who is a resident of the state for at least one year or 
 10.1   who is under age 21 and the child of a person who is a resident 
 10.2   of the state for at least one year.  The license fees paid for a 
 10.3   lifetime license are nonrefundable. 
 10.4      (b) The commissioner may require the holder of a lifetime 
 10.5   license issued under this section to notify the department each 
 10.6   year that the license is used, by: 
 10.7      (1) telephone or Internet notification, as specified by the 
 10.8   commissioner; 
 10.9      (2) the purchase of stamps for the license; or 
 10.10     (3) registration and tag issuance, in the case of the 
 10.11  resident lifetime deer license. 
 10.12     Subd. 2.  [LIFETIME ANGLING LICENSE; FEE.] (a) A resident 
 10.13  lifetime angling license authorizes a person to take fish by 
 10.14  angling in the state.  The license authorizes those activities 
 10.15  authorized by the annual resident angling license.  The license 
 10.16  does not include a trout and salmon stamp or other stamps 
 10.17  required by law.  
 10.18     (b) The fees for a resident lifetime angling license are: 
 10.19     (1) age 3 and under, $227; 
 10.20     (2) age 4 to age 15, $300; 
 10.21     (3) age 16 to age 50, $383; and 
 10.22     (4) age 51 and over, $203. 
 10.23     Subd. 3.  [LIFETIME SMALL GAME HUNTING LICENSE; FEE.] (a) A 
 10.24  resident lifetime small game hunting license authorizes a person 
 10.25  to hunt small game in the state.  The license authorizes those 
 10.26  hunting activities authorized by the annual resident small game 
 10.27  hunting license.  The license does not include any of the 
 10.28  hunting stamps required by law. 
 10.29     (b) The fees for a resident lifetime small game hunting 
 10.30  license are: 
 10.31     (1) age 3 and under, $217; 
 10.32     (2) age 4 to age 15, $290; 
 10.33     (3) age 16 to age 50, $363; and 
 10.34     (4) age 51 and over, $213. 
 10.35     Subd. 4.  [LIFETIME FIREARM DEER HUNTING LICENSE; FEE.] (a) 
 10.36  A resident lifetime firearm deer hunting license authorizes a 
 11.1   person to take deer with firearms in the state.  The license 
 11.2   authorizes those activities authorized by the annual resident 
 11.3   firearm deer hunting license.  The licensee must register and 
 11.4   receive tags each year that the license is used.  The tags shall 
 11.5   be issued at no charge to the licensee. 
 11.6      (b) The fees for a resident lifetime firearm deer hunting 
 11.7   license are: 
 11.8      (1) age 3 and under, $337; 
 11.9      (2) age 4 to age 15, $450; 
 11.10     (3) age 16 to age 50, $573; and 
 11.11     (4) age 51 and over, $383. 
 11.12     Subd. 5.  [LIFETIME SPORTING LICENSE; FEE.] (a) A resident 
 11.13  lifetime sporting license authorizes a person to take fish by 
 11.14  angling and hunt small game in the state.  The license 
 11.15  authorizes those activities authorized by the annual resident 
 11.16  angling and resident small game hunting licenses.  The license 
 11.17  does not include a trout and salmon stamp or any of the hunting 
 11.18  stamps required by law.  
 11.19     (b) The fees for a resident lifetime sporting license are: 
 11.20     (1) age 3 and under, $357; 
 11.21     (2) age 4 to age 15, $480; 
 11.22     (3) age 16 to age 50, $613; and 
 11.23     (4) age 51 and over, $413. 
 11.24     Sec. 11.  [97A.474] [NONRESIDENT LIFETIME LICENSES.] 
 11.25     Subdivision 1.  [NONRESIDENT LIFETIME LICENSES AUTHORIZED.] 
 11.26  (a) The commissioner may issue a lifetime angling license or a 
 11.27  lifetime small game hunting license to a nonresident.  The 
 11.28  license fees paid for a lifetime license are nonrefundable. 
 11.29     (b) The commissioner may require the holder of a lifetime 
 11.30  license issued under this section to notify the department each 
 11.31  year that the license is used, by: 
 11.32     (1) telephone or Internet notification, as specified by the 
 11.33  commissioner; or 
 11.34     (2) the purchase of stamps for the license. 
 11.35     Subd. 2.  [NONRESIDENT LIFETIME ANGLING LICENSE; FEE.] (a) 
 11.36  A nonresident lifetime angling license authorizes a person to 
 12.1   take fish by angling in the state.  The license authorizes those 
 12.2   activities authorized by the annual nonresident angling 
 12.3   license.  The license does not include a trout and salmon stamp 
 12.4   or other stamps required by law. 
 12.5      (b) The fees for a nonresident lifetime angling license are:
 12.6      (1) age 3 and under, $447; 
 12.7      (2) age 4 to age 15, $600; 
 12.8      (3) age 16 to age 50, $773; and 
 12.9      (4) age 51 and over, $513. 
 12.10     Subd. 3.  [NONRESIDENT LIFETIME SMALL GAME HUNTING LICENSE; 
 12.11  FEE.] (a) A nonresident lifetime small game hunting license 
 12.12  authorizes a person to hunt small game in the state.  The 
 12.13  license authorizes those hunting activities authorized by the 
 12.14  annual nonresident small game hunting license.  The license does 
 12.15  not include any of the hunting stamps required by law.  
 12.16     (b) The fees for a nonresident lifetime small game hunting 
 12.17  license are: 
 12.18     (1) age 3 and under, $947; 
 12.19     (2) age 4 to age 15, $1,280; 
 12.20     (3) age 16 to age 50, $1,633; and 
 12.21     (4) age 51 and over, $1,083. 
 12.22     Sec. 12.  [97A.4742] [LIFETIME FISH AND WILDLIFE TRUST 
 12.23  FUND.] 
 12.24     Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE.] The lifetime fish 
 12.25  and wildlife trust fund is established as a fund in the state 
 12.26  treasury.  All money received from the issuance of lifetime 
 12.27  angling, small game hunting, firearm deer hunting, and sporting 
 12.28  licenses and earnings on the fund shall be credited to the 
 12.29  lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund. 
 12.30     Subd. 2.  [INVESTMENT OF FUND; USE OF INCOME FROM 
 12.31  FUND.] Money in the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund shall 
 12.32  be invested by the state investment board to secure the maximum 
 12.33  return consistent with the maintenance of the perpetuity of the 
 12.34  fund.  The income received and accruing from investments of the 
 12.35  fund shall be deposited in the lifetime fish and wildlife trust 
 12.36  fund.  Each year the commissioner of finance shall transfer from 
 13.1   the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund to the game and fish 
 13.2   fund an amount equal to the amount that would otherwise have 
 13.3   been collected from annual license fees for each lifetime 
 13.4   license.  Surcharge amounts shall be transferred based on 
 13.5   sections 97A.071, subdivision 2, and 97A.075, subdivision 1. 
 13.6      Subd. 3.  [LIFETIME LICENSE FEES.] By October 15 of each 
 13.7   even-numbered year, the commissioner shall report on the 
 13.8   adequacy of lifetime license fees and make specific requests for 
 13.9   fee adjustments for the lifetime licenses to the legislative 
 13.10  committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural 
 13.11  resources finance and the commissioner of finance.  The 
 13.12  commissioner of finance shall review the fee report and make 
 13.13  recommendations to the governor and legislature for each fee 
 13.14  category under sections 97A.473 and 97A.474, as part of the 
 13.15  biennial budget, under sections 16A.10 and 16A.11.  
 13.16     Subd. 4.  [ANNUAL REPORT.] By November 15 each year, the 
 13.17  commissioner shall submit a report to the legislative committees 
 13.18  having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources 
 13.19  appropriations and environment and natural resources policy.  
 13.20  The report shall state the amount of revenue received in and 
 13.21  expenditures made from revenue transferred from the lifetime 
 13.22  fish and wildlife trust fund to the game and fish fund and shall 
 13.23  describe projects funded, locations of the projects, and results 
 13.24  and benefits from the projects.  The report may be included in 
 13.25  the game and fish fund report required by section 97A.055, 
 13.26  subdivision 4.  The commissioner shall make the annual report 
 13.27  available to the public. 
 13.28     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97A.475, 
 13.29  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 13.30     Subd. 2.  [RESIDENT HUNTING.] Fees for the following 
 13.31  licenses, to be issued to residents only, are: 
 13.32     (1) for persons under age 65 to take small game, $10; 
 13.33     (2) for persons age 65 or over, $5; 
 13.34     (3) to take turkey, $16; 
 13.35     (4) to take deer with firearms, $22; 
 13.36     (5) to take deer by archery, $22; 
 14.1      (6) to take moose, for a party of not more than six 
 14.2   persons, $275; 
 14.3      (7) to take bear, $33; 
 14.4      (8) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, 
 14.5   $220; 
 14.6      (9) to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $44; and 
 14.7      (10) to take Canada geese during a special season, $3; 
 14.8      (11) to take an antlered buck throughout the state in any 
 14.9   open deer season, except as restricted under section 97B.305, 
 14.10  $66; and 
 14.11     (12) to take one antlered deer by firearm and one antlered 
 14.12  deer by archery, $44. 
 14.13     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97A.475, 
 14.14  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 14.15     Subd. 4.  [SMALL GAME SURCHARGE.] Fees for annual licenses 
 14.16  to take small game must be increased by a surcharge of $4.  An 
 14.17  additional commission may not be assessed on the surcharge and 
 14.18  this must be stated on the back of the license with the 
 14.19  following statement:  "This $4 surcharge is being paid by 
 14.20  hunters for the acquisition and development of wildlife lands." 
 14.21     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97A.535, 
 14.22  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 14.23     Subdivision 1.  [TAGS REQUIRED.] A person may not possess 
 14.24  or transport deer, bear, elk, or moose taken in the state unless 
 14.25  a tag is attached to the carcass in a manner prescribed by the 
 14.26  commissioner.  The commissioner must prescribe the type of tag 
 14.27  that has the license number of the owner, the year of its issue, 
 14.28  and other information prescribed by the commissioner.  The tag 
 14.29  must be attached to the deer, bear, elk, or moose at the site of 
 14.30  the kill before the animal is removed from the site of the kill, 
 14.31  and must remain attached to the animal until the animal is 
 14.32  processed for storage when: 
 14.33     (1) the animal is in a camp, in a place occupied overnight, 
 14.34  or in the yard surrounding such a place; or 
 14.35     (2) the animal is on a motor vehicle. 
 14.36     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97B.015, is 
 15.1   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 15.2      Subd. 6.  [PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATE FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL 
 15.3   RETARDATION OR A RELATED CONDITION.] Upon the recommendation of 
 15.4   a course instructor, the commissioner may issue a provisional 
 15.5   firearms safety certificate to a person who satisfactorily 
 15.6   completes the classroom portion of the firearms safety course 
 15.7   but is unable to pass the written or an alternate format exam 
 15.8   portion of the course because of mental retardation or a related 
 15.9   condition as defined in section 97B.1055, subdivision 1.  The 
 15.10  certificate is valid only when used according to section 
 15.11  97B.1055. 
 15.12     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, section 
 15.13  97B.020, is amended to read: 
 15.14     97B.020 [FIREARMS SAFETY CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.] 
 15.15     Except as provided in this section, a person born after 
 15.16  December 31, 1979, may not obtain a an annual license to take 
 15.17  wild animals by firearms unless the person has a firearms safety 
 15.18  certificate or equivalent certificate, driver's license or 
 15.19  identification card with a valid firearms safety qualification 
 15.20  indicator issued under section 171.07, subdivision 13, previous 
 15.21  hunting license, or other evidence indicating that the person 
 15.22  has completed in this state or in another state a hunter safety 
 15.23  course recognized by the department under a reciprocity 
 15.24  agreement.  A person who is on active duty and has successfully 
 15.25  completed basic training in the United States armed forces, 
 15.26  reserve component, or national guard may obtain a hunting 
 15.27  license or approval authorizing hunting regardless of whether 
 15.28  the person is issued a firearms safety certificate. 
 15.29     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97B.031, 
 15.30  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 15.31     Subdivision 1.  [FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION THAT MAY BE USED 
 15.32  TO TAKE BIG GAME.] (a) A person may take big game with a firearm 
 15.33  only if:  
 15.34     (1) the rifle, shotgun, and handgun used is a caliber of at 
 15.35  least .23 inches; 
 15.36     (2) the firearm is loaded only with single projectile 
 16.1   ammunition; 
 16.2      (3) a projectile used is a caliber of at least .23 inches 
 16.3   and has a soft point or is an expanding bullet type; 
 16.4      (4) the ammunition has a case length of at least 1.285 
 16.5   inches; 
 16.6      (5) the muzzle-loader used is incapable of being loaded at 
 16.7   the breech; 
 16.8      (6) the smooth-bore muzzle-loader used is a caliber of at 
 16.9   least .45 inches; and 
 16.10     (7) the rifled muzzle-loader used is a caliber of at least 
 16.11  .40 inches. 
 16.12     (b) A person may not take big game with a .30 caliber M-1 
 16.13  carbine cartridge.  
 16.14     (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), clause (4), a person may 
 16.15  take big game with a ten millimeter cartridge that is at least 
 16.16  0.95 inches in length and may take big game with a .45 
 16.17  Winchester Magnum cartridge. 
 16.18     Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97B.051, is 
 16.19  amended to read: 
 16.20     97B.051 [TRANSPORTATION OF ARCHERY BOWS.] 
 16.21     Except as specified under section 97B.055, subdivision 2, a 
 16.22  person may not transport an archery bow in a motor vehicle 
 16.23  unless the bow is:  
 16.24     (1) unstrung; 
 16.25     (2) completely contained in a case; or 
 16.26     (3) in the closed trunk or rear-most enclosed portion of a 
 16.27  motor vehicle that is not accessible from the passenger 
 16.28  compartment. 
 16.29     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97B.055, 
 16.30  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 16.31     Subd. 2.  [RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO MOTOR VEHICLE.] A person 
 16.32  may not take a wild animal with a firearm or by archery from a 
 16.33  motor vehicle except as permitted in this section.  An archer in 
 16.34  a permitted bow fishing tournament A person may transport the a 
 16.35  bow uncased while in an electric motor-powered boat and may take 
 16.36  rough fish while in the boat. 
 17.1      Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97B.071, is 
 17.2   amended to read: 
 17.3      97B.071 [BLAZE ORANGE REQUIREMENTS.] 
 17.4      (a) Except as provided in rules adopted under paragraph 
 17.5   (c), a person may not hunt or trap during the open season where 
 17.6   deer may be taken by firearms under applicable laws and 
 17.7   ordinances, unless the visible portion of the person's cap and 
 17.8   outer clothing above the waist, excluding sleeves and gloves, is 
 17.9   blaze orange.  Blaze orange includes a camouflage pattern of at 
 17.10  least 50 percent blaze orange within each foot square.  This 
 17.11  section does not apply to migratory waterfowl hunters on waters 
 17.12  of this state or in a stationary shooting location or to 
 17.13  trappers on waters of this state. 
 17.14     (b) Except as provided in rules adopted under paragraph 
 17.15  (c), and in addition to the requirement in paragraph (a), a 
 17.16  person may not take small game other than turkey, migratory 
 17.17  birds, raccoons, and predators, except when hunting with 
 17.18  nontoxic shot or while trapping, unless a visible portion of at 
 17.19  least one article of the person's clothing above the waist is 
 17.20  blaze orange.  This paragraph does not apply to a person hunting 
 17.21  by falconry.  
 17.22     (c) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe an alternative 
 17.23  color in cases where paragraph (a) or (b) would violate the 
 17.24  Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, Public Law Number 
 17.25  103-141. 
 17.26     (d) A violation of paragraph (b) shall not result in a 
 17.27  penalty, but is punishable only by a safety warning. 
 17.28     Sec. 22.  [97B.1055] [HUNTING BY PERSONS WITH MENTAL 
 17.29  RETARDATION OR A RELATED CONDITION.] 
 17.30     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this section 
 17.31  and section 97B.015, subdivision 6, "person with mental 
 17.32  retardation or a related condition" means a person who has been 
 17.33  diagnosed as having substantial limitations in present 
 17.34  functioning, manifested as significantly subaverage intellectual 
 17.35  functioning, existing concurrently with demonstrated deficits in 
 17.36  adaptive behavior, and who manifests these conditions before the 
 18.1   person's 22nd birthday.  A person with a related condition means 
 18.2   a person who meets the diagnostic definition under section 
 18.3   252.27, subdivision 1a. 
 18.4      Subd. 2.  [OBTAINING A LICENSE.] (a) Notwithstanding 
 18.5   section 97B.020, a person with mental retardation or a related 
 18.6   condition may obtain a firearms hunting license with a 
 18.7   provisional firearms safety certificate issued under section 
 18.8   97B.015, subdivision 6. 
 18.9      (b) Any person accompanying or assisting a person with 
 18.10  mental retardation or a related condition under this section 
 18.11  must possess a valid firearms safety certificate issued by the 
 18.12  commissioner. 
 18.13     Subd. 3.  [ASSISTANCE REQUIRED.] A person who obtains a 
 18.14  firearms hunting license under subdivision 2 must be accompanied 
 18.15  and assisted by a parent, guardian, or other adult person 
 18.16  designated by a parent or guardian when hunting.  A person who 
 18.17  is not hunting but is solely accompanying and assisting a person 
 18.18  with mental retardation or a related condition need not obtain a 
 18.19  hunting license.  
 18.20     Subd. 4.  [PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.] (a) This section does 
 18.21  not entitle a person to possess a firearm if the person is 
 18.22  otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or 
 18.23  federal law or a court order. 
 18.24     (b) No person shall knowingly authorize or permit a person, 
 18.25  who by reason of mental retardation or a related condition is 
 18.26  incapable of safely possessing a firearm, to possess a firearm 
 18.27  to hunt in the state or on any boundary water of the state. 
 18.28     Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97B.106, is 
 18.29  amended to read: 
 18.30     97B.106 [CROSSBOW PERMITS FOR HUNTING AND FISHING.] 
 18.31     Subdivision 1.  [QUALIFICATIONS FOR CROSSBOW PERMITS.] (a) 
 18.32  The commissioner may issue a special permit, without a fee, to 
 18.33  take big game, small game, or turkey rough fish with a crossbow 
 18.34  to a person that is unable to hunt or take rough fish by archery 
 18.35  because of a permanent or temporary physical disability.  
 18.36     (b) To qualify a person for a special crossbow permit under 
 19.1   this section, a temporary disability must render the person 
 19.2   unable to hunt or fish by archery for a minimum of two years 
 19.3   after application for the permit is made.  The permanent or 
 19.4   temporary disability, must be established by medical evidence, 
 19.5   and the inability to hunt or fish by archery for the required 
 19.6   period of time must be verified in writing by a licensed 
 19.7   physician or chiropractor or certified physical therapist. 
 19.8      (c) The person must obtain the appropriate license.  
 19.9      Subd. 2.  [CROSSBOW EQUIPMENT AND REQUIREMENTS.] The (a) A 
 19.10  crossbow used for hunting under the provisions of this section 
 19.11  must:  
 19.12     (1) be fired from the shoulder; 
 19.13     (2) deliver at least 42 foot-pounds of energy at a distance 
 19.14  of ten feet; 
 19.15     (3) have a stock at least 30 inches long; 
 19.16     (4) have a working safety; and 
 19.17     (5) be used with arrows or bolts at least ten inches long 
 19.18  with a broadhead. 
 19.19     (b) An arrow or bolt used to take big game or turkey under 
 19.20  this section must meet the legal arrowhead requirements in 
 19.21  section 97B.211, subdivision 2. 
 19.22     (c) An arrow or bolt used to take rough fish with a 
 19.23  crossbow under this section must be tethered or controlled by an 
 19.24  attached line. 
 19.25     Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97B.301, 
 19.26  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 19.27     Subdivision 1.  [LICENSES REQUIRED.] A person may not take 
 19.28  deer without a license.  A person must have a firearms deer 
 19.29  license or a combined firearms and archery antlered deer license 
 19.30  to take deer with firearms and an archery deer license or a 
 19.31  combined firearms and archery antlered deer license to take deer 
 19.32  by archery except as provided in this section.  
 19.33     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97B.301, 
 19.34  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 19.35     Subd. 2.  [LIMIT OF ONE DEER.] Except as provided in 
 19.36  subdivisions 3 and, 4, and 7, a person may obtain one firearms 
 20.1   deer license and one archery deer license in the same license 
 20.2   year, but may take only one deer.  
 20.3      Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97B.301, 
 20.4   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 20.5      Subd. 4.  [TAKING MORE THAN ONE DEER.] (a) The commissioner 
 20.6   may, by rule, allow a person to take more than one deer.  The 
 20.7   commissioner shall prescribe the conditions for taking the 
 20.8   additional deer including:  
 20.9      (1) taking by firearm or archery; 
 20.10     (2) obtaining additional licenses; and 
 20.11     (3) payment of a fee not more than the fee for a firearms 
 20.12  deer license; and 
 20.13     (4) the total number of deer that an individual may take. 
 20.14     (b) In Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, 
 20.15  Polk, and Roseau counties, a person may obtain one firearms deer 
 20.16  license and one archery deer license in the same license year 
 20.17  and may take one deer under each license.  The commissioner may 
 20.18  limit the use of this provision in certain years to protect the 
 20.19  deer population in the area. 
 20.20     Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97B.301, is 
 20.21  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 20.22     Subd. 7.  [EFFECT OF COMBINED LICENSE.] A license to take 
 20.23  antlered deer by firearms and by archery authorizes the taking 
 20.24  of one antlered deer by each method.  A licensee must comply 
 20.25  with all laws and rules of the commissioner governing the method 
 20.26  used to take each deer. 
 20.27     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97B.301, is 
 20.28  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 20.29     Subd. 8.  [ALL SEASON BUCK LICENSE.] A resident may obtain 
 20.30  an all season buck license to take one buck by firearm or 
 20.31  archery during any season statewide.  A person obtaining an all 
 20.32  season buck license does not qualify for hunting under 
 20.33  subdivision 3 or 4. 
 20.34     Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97C.001, 
 20.35  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 20.36     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITION; DESIGNATION.] (a) Experimental 
 21.1   waters are lakes and streams where special regulations are used 
 21.2   and evaluated to meet a specific fisheries objective. 
 21.3      (b) The commissioner may designate any waters of the state 
 21.4   having free access to the public as experimental waters.  The 
 21.5   designated experimental waters may not exceed 100 200 lakes and 
 21.6   25 50 streams at one time.  For all experimental waters, the 
 21.7   commissioner shall develop an evaluation plan and specify a 
 21.8   termination date.  On the termination date, the commissioner 
 21.9   shall vacate or extend the experimental waters designation, or 
 21.10  designate the experimental waters as special management waters 
 21.11  under section 97C.005.  The commissioner shall by rule establish 
 21.12  methods and criteria for public initiation of experimental 
 21.13  waters designation and for public participation in the 
 21.14  evaluation of the waters designated. 
 21.15     (c) Designation of experimental waters under this section 
 21.16  is not subject to chapter 14. 
 21.17     Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97C.081, 
 21.18  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 21.19     Subd. 2.  [CONTESTS WITHOUT A PERMIT.] A person may conduct 
 21.20  a fishing contest with entry fees of $10, or less, per person 
 21.21  and total prizes valued at $2,000, or less, without a permit 
 21.22  from the commissioner. provided: 
 21.23     (1) the following criteria are met: 
 21.24     (i) there are 30 participants or less for open water 
 21.25  contests and 150 participants or less for ice fishing contests; 
 21.26     (ii) the entry fee is $25 per person or less; 
 21.27     (iii) the total prize value is $25,000 or less; and 
 21.28     (iv) the contest is not limited to trout species only; 
 21.29     (2) the following criteria are met: 
 21.30     (i) the contest is not limited to specifically named 
 21.31  waters; and 
 21.32     (ii) the contest is not limited to trout species only; or 
 21.33     (3) all the contest participants are age 18 years or under. 
 21.34     Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97C.081, 
 21.35  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 21.36     Subd. 3.  [CONTESTS AUTHORIZED BY COMMISSIONER REQUIRING A 
 22.1   PERMIT.] The commissioner may, by rule or permit, allow fishing 
 22.2   contests with entry fees over $10 per person or total prizes 
 22.3   valued at more than $2,000.  (a) A person must have a permit 
 22.4   from the commissioner to conduct a fishing contest that does not 
 22.5   meet the criteria in subdivision 2.  Permits shall be issued 
 22.6   without a fee. 
 22.7      (b) If entry fees are over $25 per person, or total prizes 
 22.8   are valued at more than $25,000, and if the applicant has either:
 22.9      (1) not previously conducted a fishing contest requiring a 
 22.10  permit under this subdivision; or 
 22.11     (2) ever failed to make required prize awards in a fishing 
 22.12  contest conducted by the applicant, the commissioner may require 
 22.13  the applicant to furnish the commissioner evidence of financial 
 22.14  responsibility in the form of a surety bond or bank letter of 
 22.15  credit in the amount of $25,000.  Permits must be issued without 
 22.16  a fee and if the commissioner does not deny the permit within 14 
 22.17  days, excluding holidays, after receipt of an application, the 
 22.18  permit is granted. 
 22.19     Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97C.081, is 
 22.20  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 22.21     Subd. 6.  [PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS.] (a) Beginning 
 22.22  September 1 each year, the commissioner shall accept permit 
 22.23  applications for fishing contests to be held in the following 
 22.24  year. 
 22.25     (b) If the number of permit applications received by the 
 22.26  commissioner from September 1 through the last Friday in October 
 22.27  exceeds the limits specified in subdivisions 7 and 8, the 
 22.28  commissioner shall notify the affected applicants that their 
 22.29  requested locations and time period are subject to a drawing.  
 22.30  After notification, the commissioner shall allow the affected 
 22.31  applicants a minimum of seven days to change the location or 
 22.32  time period requested on their applications, provided that the 
 22.33  change is not to a location or time period for which 
 22.34  applications are already at or above the limits specified in 
 22.35  subdivisions 7 and 8. 
 22.36     (c) After the applicants have been given at least seven 
 23.1   days to change their applications, the commissioner shall 
 23.2   conduct a drawing for all locations and time periods for which 
 23.3   applications exceed limits.  First preference in the drawings 
 23.4   shall be given to applicants for established or traditional 
 23.5   fishing contests, and the second preference to applicants for 
 23.6   contests that are not established as traditional fishing 
 23.7   contests, based on the number of times they have been 
 23.8   unsuccessful in previous drawings.  An applicant who is 
 23.9   successful in a drawing loses all accumulated preference. 
 23.10     (d) The commissioner has until December 7 to approve or 
 23.11  deny permit applications that are submitted by 4:30 p.m. on the 
 23.12  last Friday in October.  The commissioner may approve a permit 
 23.13  application within 28 days that is received after 4:30 p.m. on 
 23.14  the last Friday in October if approving the application would 
 23.15  not result in exceeding the limits in subdivisions 7 and 8. 
 23.16     Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97C.081, is 
 23.17  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 23.18     Subd. 7.  [WEEKEND LIMITATIONS.] (a) On all waters 55,000 
 23.19  acres or less, the commissioner may ensure that each of the 
 23.20  state's waters has at least two weekends per month with no 
 23.21  permitted fishing contests. 
 23.22     (b) Unless otherwise authorized by the commissioner, 
 23.23  permitted fishing contests that are conducted for more than one 
 23.24  day may not include more than one weekend day from Memorial Day 
 23.25  weekend through Labor Day weekend. 
 23.26     (c) The commissioner may not approve permits for fishing 
 23.27  contests on a weekend with a fishing season opener if the 
 23.28  contest targets a species for which the season is opening. 
 23.29     Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97C.081, is 
 23.30  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 23.31     Subd. 8.  [LIMITS ON NUMBER OF FISHING CONTESTS.] (a) The 
 23.32  number of permitted fishing contests allowed each month on a 
 23.33  water body shall not exceed the following limits: 
 23.34                 Maximum number   Maximum number   Maximum number
 23.35                  of permitted       of large       of permitted
 23.36                    fishing         permitted         fishing
 24.1                     contests         fishing          contest
 24.2                                      contests           days
 24.4   Size/acres
 24.5   less than
 24.6   2,000                2                0                4
 24.7   2,000-4,999          3                1                6
 24.8   5,000-14,999         4                2                8
 24.9   15,000-55,000        5                3               10
 24.10  more than
 24.11  55,000            no limit         no limit         no limit
 24.12     (b) For boundary waters, the limits on the number of 
 24.13  permitted fishing contests shall be determined based on the 
 24.14  Minnesota acreage. 
 24.15     Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97C.081, is 
 24.16  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 24.17     Subd. 9.  [PERMIT RESTRICTIONS.] (a) The commissioner may 
 24.18  require fishing contest permittees to limit prefishing to week 
 24.19  days only as a condition of a fishing contest permit.  The 
 24.20  commissioner may require proof from permittees that prefishing 
 24.21  restrictions on the permit are communicated to fishing contest 
 24.22  participants and enforced. 
 24.23     (b) The commissioner may require permit restrictions on the 
 24.24  hours that a permitted fishing contest is conducted, including, 
 24.25  but not limited to, starting and ending times. 
 24.26     (c) The commissioner may require permit restrictions on the 
 24.27  number of parking spaces that may be used on a state-owned 
 24.28  public water access site.  The commissioner may require proof 
 24.29  from permittees that parking restrictions on the permit are 
 24.30  communicated to fishing contest participants and enforced. 
 24.31     (d) To prevent undue loss of fish, the commissioner may 
 24.32  require restrictions for off-site weigh-ins on a fishing contest 
 24.33  permit or may deny permits requesting an off-site weigh-in. 
 24.34     (e) A person may not transfer a fishing contest permit to 
 24.35  another person. 
 24.36     (f) Failure to comply with fishing contest permit 
 25.1   restrictions may be considered grounds for denial of future 
 25.2   permit applications. 
 25.3      Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97C.081, is 
 25.4   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 25.5      Subd. 10.  [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this section, the 
 25.6   following terms have the meanings given: 
 25.7      (a) "Permitted fishing contest" means an open water fishing 
 25.8   contest or ice fishing contest that requires a permit from the 
 25.9   commissioner under subdivision 3. 
 25.10     (b) "Large permitted fishing contest" means an open water 
 25.11  fishing contest with more than 50 boats or more than 100 
 25.12  participants that requires a permit from the commissioner under 
 25.13  subdivision 3. 
 25.14     (c) "Permitted fishing contest day" means a day on a water 
 25.15  body where a permitted fishing contest is held.  Two permitted 
 25.16  fishing contests that are held on the same water body on the 
 25.17  same day count as two permitted fishing contest days. 
 25.18     (d) "Off-site weigh-in" means a weigh-in of fish from a 
 25.19  fishing contest at a location that is not adjacent to the waters 
 25.20  listed on the fishing contest permit. 
 25.21     (e) "Prefishing" means fishing by participants of a 
 25.22  permitted fishing contest prior to the scheduled dates of the 
 25.23  contest on waters listed on the fishing contest permit. 
 25.24     Sec. 37.  [97C.376] [BOWFISHING EXEMPTION.] 
 25.25     A person using an archery bow used exclusively to harvest 
 25.26  rough fish and having an attached bowfishing reel and tethered 
 25.27  arrow with a barbed-fish point is exempt from section 97B.051 
 25.28  when the bow is being used in a motorboat for the pursuit of 
 25.29  legal rough fish species. 
 25.30     Sec. 38.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97C.401, is 
 25.31  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 25.32     Subd. 3.  [YELLOW PERCH.] The commissioner may not 
 25.33  promulgate a rule that would result in the daily limit for 
 25.34  yellow perch being less than 20 and the possession limit being 
 25.35  less than 50 for inland waters until March 1, 2001. 
 25.36     Sec. 39.  [APPROPRIATION.] 
 26.1      (a) $25,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2001 from the 
 26.2   game and fish fund to the commissioner of natural resources to 
 26.3   administer and market lifetime licenses. 
 26.4      (b) $9,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2001 from the 
 26.5   game and fish fund to the commissioner of natural resources to 
 26.6   administer section 4. 
 26.7      Sec. 40.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 26.8      Sections 5 to 8, 10 to 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 23, 26, and 38 
 26.9   are effective the day following final enactment.  The resident 
 26.10  licenses under section 10 shall be made available by March 1, 
 26.11  2001, and apply to taking game and fish for the 2001 license 
 26.12  year.  The nonresident licenses under section 11 shall be made 
 26.13  available by March 1, 2002, and apply to taking game and fish 
 26.14  for the 2002 license year.  Section 9 is effective March 1, 2001.