1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to game and fish; authorizing the 
  1.3             commissioner of natural resources to establish special 
  1.4             seasons for persons with a physical disability to take 
  1.5             fish by angling; amending Minnesota Statutes 2002, 
  1.6             section 97C.301, subdivision 1; proposing coding for 
  1.7             new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97C. 
  1.8   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.9      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 97C.301, 
  1.10  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.11     Subdivision 1.  [REQUIREMENT.] Unless exempted under 
  1.12  section 97A.445, 97A.451, or 97A.465, subdivision 1, or 97C.302, 
  1.13  a person must have a license to take fish as provided in this 
  1.14  section.  
  1.15     Sec. 2.  [97C.302] [SPECIAL FISHING SEASONS FOR PHYSICALLY 
  1.16  DISABLED; LICENSE EXCEPTION.] 
  1.17     Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT; REQUIREMENTS.] The 
  1.18  commissioner may establish criteria, special seasons, and limits 
  1.19  for persons who have a physical disability to take fish by 
  1.20  angling in areas designated by the commissioner.  A person 
  1.21  fishing under this section who has a physical disability must 
  1.22  have a verified statement of the disability by a licensed 
  1.23  physician and must be participating in a program for physically 
  1.24  disabled anglers sponsored by a nonprofit organization that is 
  1.25  permitted under subdivision 2.  A license is not required for: 
  1.26     (1) a person who has a physical disability and is fishing 
  2.1   during a special season under this section; or 
  2.2      (2) a person who is assisting a physically disabled person 
  2.3   fishing during a special season under this section. 
  2.4      Subd. 2.  [PERMIT FOR ORGANIZATION.] (a) The commissioner 
  2.5   may issue a special permit without a fee to a nonprofit 
  2.6   organization to provide an assisted fishing opportunity to 
  2.7   physically disabled anglers.  The assisted fishing opportunity 
  2.8   may take place: 
  2.9      (1) in areas designated by the commissioner under 
  2.10  subdivision 1; 
  2.11     (2) on private property; 
  2.12     (3) on a licensed aquatic farm; or 
  2.13     (4) on a licensed private fish hatchery. 
  2.14     (b) The commissioner may impose reasonable permit 
  2.15  conditions.