1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to game and fish; providing for lead tackle 
  1.3             awareness and education; providing for grants. 
  1.4   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.5      Section 1.  [REPORTS AND COOPERATIVE EFFORTS REGARDING LEAD 
  1.6   FISHING TACKLE.] 
  1.7      Subdivision 1.  [MULTIJURISDICTIONAL COOPERATION FOR LEAD 
  1.8   TACKLE RESTRICTIONS AND EDUCATION.] In order to promote 
  1.9   consistent, nationally applicable regulations and education, the 
  1.10  commissioner of natural resources may coordinate and participate 
  1.11  in efforts to promote national laws and educational programs 
  1.12  regarding lead fishing tackle.  The commissioner may participate 
  1.13  with other jurisdictions, including federal, state and 
  1.14  international governments, in activities under this subdivision, 
  1.15  including advocacy for uniform laws, educational efforts, and 
  1.16  the creation of incentives to use nonlead tackle.  The 
  1.17  commissioner may solicit and involve tackle manufacturers, 
  1.18  conservation organizations, and fishing associations in 
  1.19  cooperative efforts under this subdivision. 
  1.20     Subd. 2.  [LEAD TACKLE AWARENESS AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.] The 
  1.21  commissioner of natural resources and the director of the office 
  1.22  of environmental assistance shall provide public education 
  1.23  regarding concerns about lead fishing tackle and promote the 
  1.24  availability of nonlead fishing tackle. 
  2.1      Subd. 3.  [VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION OFFICER PARTICIPATION IN 
  2.2   LEAD TACKLE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.] Conservation officers in the 
  2.3   department of natural resources may provide information to 
  2.4   anglers regarding lead tackle and may provide samples of 
  2.5   lead-free sinkers and jigs. 
  2.6      Subd. 4.  [REPORT ON HEALTH HAZARDS OF HOME MANUFACTURE OF 
  2.7   FISHING TACKLE.] The commissioners of health and pollution 
  2.8   control agency may provide a report to the legislative 
  2.9   committees with jurisdiction over environmental and health 
  2.10  policies regarding the health hazards associated with the home 
  2.11  manufacture of lead fishing tackle.  The report may make 
  2.12  recommendations to mitigate the concerns associated with any 
  2.13  identifiable health hazard discussed in the report. 
  2.14     Sec. 2.  [GRANTS.] 
  2.15     The director of the office of environmental assistance, in 
  2.16  consultation with the commissioner of natural resources, may 
  2.17  make grants under Minnesota Statutes, sections 115A.152 and 
  2.18  115D.04, to conservation organizations and angler associations 
  2.19  to assist in reducing the use of lead fishing tackle, including 
  2.20  grants for educational activities.