1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to natural resources; modifying game and fish 
  1.3             law provisions; modifying authority to take animals 
  1.4             causing damage; modifying the use of scopes by 
  1.5             visually impaired hunters; modifying certain license 
  1.6             requirements; providing for trapper education 
  1.7             requirements; providing preference for military 
  1.8             members who were on active service; prohibiting 
  1.9             computer-assisted remote hunting; eliminating the 
  1.10            permit requirement to take lynx, bobcat, and fox with 
  1.11            a snare; modifying certain seasons; modifying 
  1.12            restrictions on taking waterfowl; authorizing 
  1.13            rulemaking; modifying requirements for field training 
  1.14            hunting dogs; modifying restrictions on decoys; 
  1.15            modifying disposition of state hatchery products; 
  1.16            modifying fishing and commercial fishing provisions; 
  1.17            repealing authority for the Mississippi River Fish 
  1.18            Refuge; repealing authority to issue certain orders; 
  1.19            amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 84.027, 
  1.20            subdivision 13; 97A.015, subdivisions 29, 49; 97A.045, 
  1.21            subdivision 1; 97A.401, subdivision 5; 97A.405, 
  1.22            subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 97A.435, 
  1.23            subdivision 2; 97A.441, subdivision 7; 97A.451, 
  1.24            subdivision 3; 97A.465, by adding a subdivision; 
  1.25            97B.005, subdivision 3; 97B.025; 97B.031, subdivision 
  1.26            5; 97B.111, subdivision 2; 97B.625, subdivision 2; 
  1.27            97B.631, subdivision 2; 97B.655, subdivision 2; 
  1.28            97B.711, subdivision 1; 97B.803; 97B.805, subdivision 
  1.29            1; 97B.811, subdivision 4a; 97C.203; 97C.327; 97C.345, 
  1.30            subdivision 2; 97C.395, subdivision 1; 97C.401, 
  1.31            subdivision 2; 97C.825, subdivision 5; proposing 
  1.32            coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97B; 
  1.33            repealing Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 88.27; 
  1.34            97B.005, subdivision 4; 97B.935; 97C.015; 97C.403; 
  1.35            97C.825, subdivisions 6, 7, 8, 9; Minnesota Rules, 
  1.36            part 6234.2300, subparts 2, 3. 
  1.37  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.38     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.027, 
  1.39  subdivision 13, is amended to read: 
  1.40     Subd. 13.  [GAME AND FISH RULES.] (a) The commissioner of 
  1.41  natural resources may adopt rules under sections 97A.0451 to 
  2.1   97A.0459 and this subdivision that are authorized under: 
  2.2      (1) chapters 97A, 97B, and 97C to set open seasons and 
  2.3   areas, to close seasons and areas, to select hunters for areas, 
  2.4   to provide for tagging and registration of game and fish, to 
  2.5   prohibit or allow taking of wild animals to protect a species, 
  2.6   to prevent or control wildlife disease, and to prohibit or allow 
  2.7   importation, transportation, or possession of a wild animal; 
  2.8      (2) sections 84.093, 84.15, and 84.152 to set seasons for 
  2.9   harvesting wild ginseng roots and wild rice and to restrict or 
  2.10  prohibit harvesting in designated areas; and 
  2.11     (3) section 84D.12 to designate prohibited invasive 
  2.12  species, regulated invasive species, unregulated nonnative 
  2.13  species, and infested waters. 
  2.14     (b) If conditions exist that do not allow the commissioner 
  2.15  to comply with sections 97A.0451 to 97A.0459, the commissioner 
  2.16  may adopt a rule under this subdivision by submitting the rule 
  2.17  to the attorney general for review under section 97A.0455, 
  2.18  publishing a notice in the State Register and filing the rule 
  2.19  with the secretary of state and the Legislative Coordinating 
  2.20  Commission, and complying with section 97A.0459, and including a 
  2.21  statement of the emergency conditions and a copy of the rule in 
  2.22  the notice.  The notice may be published after it is received 
  2.23  from the attorney general or five business days after it is 
  2.24  submitted to the attorney general, whichever is earlier. 
  2.25     (c) Rules adopted under paragraph (b) are effective upon 
  2.26  publishing in the State Register and may be effective up to 
  2.27  seven days before publishing and filing under paragraph (b), if: 
  2.28     (1) the commissioner of natural resources determines that 
  2.29  an emergency exists; 
  2.30     (2) the attorney general approves the rule; and 
  2.31     (3) for a rule that affects more than three counties the 
  2.32  commissioner publishes the rule once in a legal newspaper 
  2.33  published in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth, or for a rule 
  2.34  that affects three or fewer counties the commissioner publishes 
  2.35  the rule once in a legal newspaper in each of the affected 
  2.36  counties. 
  3.1      (d) Except as provided in paragraph (e), a rule published 
  3.2   under paragraph (c), clause (3), may not be effective earlier 
  3.3   than seven days after publication. 
  3.4      (e) A rule published under paragraph (c), clause (3), may 
  3.5   be effective the day the rule is published if the commissioner 
  3.6   gives notice and holds a public hearing on the rule within 15 
  3.7   days before publication. 
  3.8      (f) The commissioner shall attempt to notify persons or 
  3.9   groups of persons affected by rules adopted under paragraphs (b) 
  3.10  and (c) by public announcements, posting, and other appropriate 
  3.11  means as determined by the commissioner. 
  3.12     (g) Notwithstanding section 97A.0458, a rule adopted under 
  3.13  this subdivision is effective for the period stated in the 
  3.14  notice but not longer than 18 months after the rule is adopted. 
  3.15     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, 
  3.16  subdivision 29, is amended to read: 
  3.17     Subd. 29.  [MINNOWS.] "Minnows" means:  (1) members of the 
  3.18  minnow family, Cyprinidae, except carp and goldfish; (2) members 
  3.19  of the mudminnow family, Umbridae; (3) members of the sucker 
  3.20  family, Catostomidae, not over 12 inches in length; (4) 
  3.21  bullheads, ciscoes, lake whitefish, goldeyes, and mooneyes, not 
  3.22  over seven inches long; and (5) leeches; and (6) tadpole madtoms 
  3.23  (willow cats) and stonecats.  
  3.24     <h>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</h> This section is effective the day 
  3.25  following final enactment. 
  3.26     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, 
  3.27  subdivision 49, is amended to read: 
  3.28     Subd. 49.  [UNDRESSED BIRD.] "Undressed bird" means:  
  3.29     (1) a bird, excluding migratory waterfowl, pheasant, 
  3.30  Hungarian partridge, turkey, or grouse, with feet and feathered 
  3.31  head intact; 
  3.32     (2) a migratory waterfowl, excluding geese, with a fully 
  3.33  feathered wing and head attached; 
  3.34     (3) a pheasant, Hungarian partridge, turkey, or grouse with 
  3.35  one leg and foot or the fully feathered head or wing intact; or 
  3.36     (4) a goose with a fully feathered wing attached. 
  4.1      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.045, 
  4.2   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  4.3      Subdivision 1.  [DUTIES; GENERALLY.] The commissioner shall 
  4.4   do all things the commissioner determines are necessary to 
  4.5   preserve, protect, and propagate desirable species of wild 
  4.6   animals.  The commissioner shall make special provisions for the 
  4.7   management of fish and wildlife to ensure recreational 
  4.8   opportunities for anglers and hunters.  The commissioner shall 
  4.9   acquire wild animals for breeding or stocking and may dispose of 
  4.10  or destroy undesirable or predatory wild animals and their dens, 
  4.11  nests, houses, or dams.  
  4.12     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.401, 
  4.13  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
  4.14     Subd. 5.  [WILD ANIMALS DAMAGING PROPERTY.] Special permits 
  4.15  may be issued with or without a fee to take protected wild 
  4.16  animals that are damaging property or to remove or destroy their 
  4.17  dens, nests, houses, or dams.  A special permit issued under 
  4.18  this subdivision to take beaver must state the number to be 
  4.19  taken.  
  4.20     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.405, 
  4.21  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  4.22     Subd. 4.  [REPLACEMENT LICENSES.] (a) The commissioner may 
  4.23  permit licensed firearms deer hunters to change zone, license, 
  4.24  or season options before the regular firearms deer season 
  4.25  begins.  The commissioner may issue a replacement license if the 
  4.26  applicant submits the original firearms deer license and unused 
  4.27  tags that is are being replaced and the applicant pays any 
  4.28  increase in cost between the original and the replacement 
  4.29  license.  When a person submits both an archery and a firearms 
  4.30  license for replacement, the commissioner may apply the value of 
  4.31  both licenses towards the replacement license fee.  
  4.32     (b) A replacement license may be issued only if the 
  4.33  applicant has not used any tag from the original license and 
  4.34  meets the conditions of paragraph (c).  The original license and 
  4.35  all unused tags for that license must be submitted to the 
  4.36  issuing agent at the time the replacement license is issued. 
  5.1      (c) A replacement license may be issued under the following 
  5.2   conditions, or as otherwise prescribed by rule of the 
  5.3   commissioner: 
  5.4      (1) when the season for the license being surrendered has 
  5.5   not yet opened; or 
  5.6      (2) when the person is upgrading from a regular firearms or 
  5.7   archery deer license to a deer license that is valid in multiple 
  5.8   zones. 
  5.9      (d) Notwithstanding section 97A.411, subdivision 3, a 
  5.10  replacement license is valid immediately upon issuance if the 
  5.11  license being surrendered is valid at that time. 
  5.12     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.405, is 
  5.13  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  5.14     Subd. 5.  [RESIDENT LICENSES.] To obtain a resident 
  5.15  license, a resident 21 years of age or older must: 
  5.16     (1) possess a current Minnesota driver's license; 
  5.17     (2) possess a current identification card issued by the 
  5.18  commissioner of public safety; or 
  5.19     (3) present evidence showing proof of residency in cases 
  5.20  when clause (1) or (2) would violate the Religious Freedom 
  5.21  Restoration Act of 1993, Public Law 103-141.  
  5.22     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.435, 
  5.23  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  5.24     Subd. 2.  [ELIGIBILITY.] Persons eligible for a turkey 
  5.25  license shall be determined by this section and commissioner's 
  5.26  rule.  A person is eligible for a turkey license only if the 
  5.27  person is at least age 16 before the season opens or, possesses 
  5.28  a firearms safety certificate, or, if under age 12, is 
  5.29  accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Persons under age 12 must 
  5.30  be within arm's reach of their parent or guardian while hunting. 
  5.31     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.441, 
  5.32  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
  5.33     Subd. 7.  [OWNERS OR TENANTS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.] (a) The 
  5.34  commissioner may issue, without a fee, a license to take an 
  5.35  antlerless deer to a person who is an owner or tenant and is 
  5.36  living and actively farming on at least 80 acres of agricultural 
  6.1   land, as defined in section 97B.001, in deer permit areas that 
  6.2   have deer archery licenses to take additional deer under section 
  6.3   97B.301, subdivision 4.  A person may receive only one license 
  6.4   per year under this subdivision.  For properties with co-owners 
  6.5   or cotenants, only one co-owner or cotenant may receive a 
  6.6   license under this subdivision per year.  The license issued 
  6.7   under this subdivision is restricted to the land owned or leased 
  6.8   for agricultural purposes or owned by the holder of the license 
  6.9   within the permit area where the qualifying land is located.  
  6.10  The holder of the license may transfer the license to the 
  6.11  holder's spouse or dependent.  Notwithstanding sections 97A.415, 
  6.12  subdivision 1, and 97B.301, subdivision 2, the holder of the 
  6.13  license may purchase an additional license for taking deer and 
  6.14  may take an additional deer under that license. 
  6.15     (b) A person who obtains a license under paragraph (a) must 
  6.16  allow public deer hunting on their land during that deer hunting 
  6.17  season, with the exception of the first Saturday and Sunday 
  6.18  during the deer hunting season applicable to the license issued 
  6.19  under section 97A.475, subdivision 2, clauses (4) and (13). 
  6.20     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.451, 
  6.21  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  6.22     Subd. 3.  [RESIDENTS UNDER AGE 16; SMALL GAME.] (a) A 
  6.23  resident under age 16 may not obtain a small game license but 
  6.24  may take small game by firearms or bow and arrow without a 
  6.25  license if the resident is: 
  6.26     (1) age 14 or 15 and possesses a firearms safety 
  6.27  certificate; 
  6.28     (2) age 13, possesses a firearms safety certificate, and is 
  6.29  accompanied by a parent or guardian; or 
  6.30     (3) age 12 or under and is accompanied by a parent or 
  6.31  guardian.  
  6.32     (b) A resident under age 16 may take small game by trapping 
  6.33  without a small game license, but a resident 13 years of age or 
  6.34  older must have a trapping license.  A resident under age 13 may 
  6.35  trap without a trapping license, but may not trap fisher, otter, 
  6.36  bobcat, or pine marten unless the resident is at least age eight.
  7.1      (c) A resident under age 12 may apply for a turkey license 
  7.2   and may take a turkey without a firearms safety certificate if 
  7.3   they are supervised by an adult parent or guardian who has a 
  7.4   firearms safety certificate and who is within arm's reach at all 
  7.5   times while hunting. 
  7.6      Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.465, is 
  7.7   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  7.8      Subd. 5.  [PREFERENCE TO SERVICE MEMBERS.] (a) For purposes 
  7.9   of this subdivision:  
  7.10     (1) "qualified service member or veteran" means a Minnesota 
  7.11  resident who is currently serving, or has served at any time 
  7.12  during the past 24 months, in active service as a member of the 
  7.13  United States armed forces, including the National Guard or 
  7.14  other military reserves; and 
  7.15     (2) "active service" means service defined under section 
  7.16  190.05, subdivision 5b or 5c. 
  7.17     (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, 
  7.18  chapter 97B or 97C, or administrative rules, the commissioner 
  7.19  may give first preference to qualified service members or 
  7.20  veterans in any drawing or lottery involving the selection of 
  7.21  applicants for hunting or fishing licenses, permits, and special 
  7.22  permits.  This subdivision does not apply to licenses or permits 
  7.23  for taking moose, elk, or prairie chickens.  Actions of the 
  7.24  commissioner under this subdivision are not rules under the 
  7.25  Administrative Procedures Act and section 14.386 does not apply. 
  7.26     <h>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</h> This section is effective the day 
  7.27  following final enactment. 
  7.28     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.005, 
  7.29  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  7.30     Subd. 3.  [PERMITS FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO USE 
  7.31  GAME BIRDS AND FIREARMS.] (a) The commissioner may issue special 
  7.32  permits, without a fee, to organizations and individuals to use 
  7.33  firearms and live ammunition on domesticated birds or banded 
  7.34  game birds from game farms.  
  7.35     (b) Permits for holding field trials and may be issued to 
  7.36  organizations.  The permit shall specify the dates and locations 
  8.1   of the field trial.  The commissioner may limit the number of 
  8.2   dates approved for any organization. 
  8.3      (c) Permits for training hunting dogs may be issued to an 
  8.4   individual. 
  8.5      (d) Domesticated birds, other than pigeons, and game farm 
  8.6   birds used for trials or training under this section must be 
  8.7   clearly marked with dye or a streamer attached to a leg in a 
  8.8   manner that makes them visually identifiable prior to being 
  8.9   taken.  
  8.10     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.025, is 
  8.11  amended to read: 
  8.12     97B.025 [HUNTER AND TRAPPER EDUCATION.] 
  8.13     (a) The commissioner may establish education courses for 
  8.14  hunters and trappers.  The commissioner shall collect a fee from 
  8.15  each person attending a course.  A fee shall be collected for 
  8.16  issuing a duplicate certificate.  The commissioner shall 
  8.17  establish the fees in a manner that neither significantly 
  8.18  overrecovers nor underrecovers costs, including overhead costs, 
  8.19  involved in providing the services.  The fees are not subject to 
  8.20  the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does 
  8.21  not apply.  The commissioner may establish the fees 
  8.22  notwithstanding section 16A.1283.  The fees shall be deposited 
  8.23  in the game and fish fund and the amount thereof is appropriated 
  8.24  annually to the Enforcement Division of the Department of 
  8.25  Natural Resources for the administration of the program.  In 
  8.26  addition to the fee established by the commissioner for each 
  8.27  course, instructors may charge each person up to the established 
  8.28  fee amount for class materials and expenses.  School districts 
  8.29  may cooperate with the commissioner and volunteer instructors to 
  8.30  provide space for the classroom portion of the training. 
  8.31     (b) The commissioner shall enter into an agreement with a 
  8.32  statewide nonprofit trappers association to conduct a trapper 
  8.33  education program.  At a minimum, the program must include at 
  8.34  least six hours of classroom, electronic, or correspondence 
  8.35  instruction and in the field training.  The program must include 
  8.36  a review of state trapping laws and regulations, trapping 
  9.1   ethics, the setting and tending of traps and snares, tagging and 
  9.2   registration requirements, and the preparation of pelts.  The 
  9.3   association shall issue a certificate to persons who complete 
  9.4   the program.  The association shall be responsible for all costs 
  9.5   of conducting the education program, and shall not charge any 
  9.6   fee for attending the course. 
  9.7      Sec. 14.  [97B.026] [TRAPPER EDUCATION CERTIFICATE 
  9.8   REQUIREMENT.] 
  9.9      A person born after December 31, 1989, and who has not been 
  9.10  issued a trapping license in a previous license year, may not 
  9.11  obtain a trapping license unless the person has been issued a 
  9.12  trapper education certificate under section 97B.025, paragraph 
  9.13  (b). 
  9.14     <h>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</h> This section is effective March 1, 2007. 
  9.15     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.031, 
  9.16  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
  9.17     Subd. 5.  [SCOPES; VISUALLY IMPAIRED HUNTERS.] (a) 
  9.18  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commissioner 
  9.19  may issue a special permit, without a fee, to use a muzzleloader 
  9.20  with a scope to take deer during the muzzleloader season to a 
  9.21  person who obtains the required licenses and who has a visual 
  9.22  impairment.  The scope may not have magnification capabilities. 
  9.23     (b) The visual impairment must be to the extent that the 
  9.24  applicant is unable to identify targets and the rifle sights at 
  9.25  the same time without a scope.  The visual impairment and 
  9.26  specific conditions must be established by medical evidence 
  9.27  verified in writing by a licensed physician, ophthalmologist, or 
  9.28  optometrist.  The commissioner may request additional 
  9.29  information from the physician if needed to verify the 
  9.30  applicant's eligibility for the permit.  Notwithstanding section 
  9.31  97A.418, the commissioner may, in consultation with appropriate 
  9.32  advocacy groups, establish reasonable minimum standards for 
  9.33  permits to be issued under this subdivision. 
  9.34     (c) A permit issued under this subdivision may be valid for 
  9.35  up to five years, based on the permanence of the visual 
  9.36  impairment as determined by the licensed physician, 
 10.1   ophthalmologist, or optometrist.  
 10.2      (d) The permit must be in the immediate possession of the 
 10.3   permittee when hunting under the special permit. 
 10.4      (e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a 
 10.5   permit issued under this subdivision for cause, including a 
 10.6   violation of the game and fish laws or rules.  
 10.7      (e) (f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or 
 10.8   assists another in making a false application for a permit under 
 10.9   this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.  A physician, 
 10.10  ophthalmologist, or optometrist who fraudulently certifies to 
 10.11  the commissioner that a person is visually impaired as described 
 10.12  in this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor. 
 10.13     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.111, 
 10.14  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 10.15     Subd. 2.  [PERMIT FOR ORGANIZATION.] (a) The commissioner 
 10.16  may issue a special permit without a fee to a nonprofit 
 10.17  organization to provide an assisted hunting opportunity to 
 10.18  physically disabled hunters.  The assisted hunting opportunity 
 10.19  may take place: 
 10.20     (1) in areas designated by the commissioner under 
 10.21  subdivision 1; or 
 10.22     (2) on private property or a licensed shooting preserve. 
 10.23     (b) The sponsoring organization shall provide a physically 
 10.24  capable person to assist each disabled hunter with 
 10.25  safety-related aspects of hunting and, notwithstanding section 
 10.26  97B.081, a person with a physical disability who is totally 
 10.27  blind may use laser sights. 
 10.28     (c) The commissioner may impose reasonable permit 
 10.29  conditions. 
 10.30     Sec. 17.  [97B.115] [COMPUTER-ASSISTED REMOTE HUNTING 
 10.31  PROHIBITION.] 
 10.32     No person shall operate, provide, sell, use or offer to 
 10.33  operate, provide, sell or use any computer software or service 
 10.34  that allows a person, not physically present at the site, to 
 10.35  remotely control a weapon that could be used to take any wild 
 10.36  animal by remote operation, including, but not limited to, 
 11.1   weapons or devices set up to fire through the use of the 
 11.2   Internet or through a remote control device. 
 11.3      Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.625, 
 11.4   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 11.5      Subd. 2.  [PERMIT REQUIRED TO USE OF A SNARE.] A person may 
 11.6   not use a snare to take lynx or bobcat except under a permit 
 11.7   from, as prescribed by the commissioner, without a permit.  
 11.8      Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.631, 
 11.9   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 11.10     Subd. 2.  [PERMIT REQUIRED TO USE OF A SNARE.] A person may 
 11.11  not use a snare to take fox except under a permit from, as 
 11.12  prescribed by the commissioner, without a permit. 
 11.13     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.655, 
 11.14  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 11.15     Subd. 2.  [SPECIAL PERMIT FOR TAKING PROTECTED WILD 
 11.16  ANIMALS.] The commissioner may issue special permits under 
 11.17  section 97A.401, subdivision 5, to take protected wild animals 
 11.18  that are damaging property or to remove or destroy their dens, 
 11.19  nests, houses, or dams.  
 11.20     Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.711, 
 11.21  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 11.22     Subdivision 1.  [SEASONS FOR CERTAIN UPLAND GAME BIRDS.] 
 11.23  (a) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe an open season in 
 11.24  designated areas between September 16 and December 31 January 3 
 11.25  for: 
 11.26     (1) pheasant; 
 11.27     (2) ruffed grouse; 
 11.28     (3) sharp tailed grouse; 
 11.29     (4) Canada spruce grouse; 
 11.30     (5) prairie chicken; 
 11.31     (6) gray partridge; 
 11.32     (7) bob-white quail; and 
 11.33     (8) turkey. 
 11.34     (b) The commissioner may by rule prescribe an open season 
 11.35  for turkey in the spring. 
 11.36     Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.803, is 
 12.1   amended to read: 
 12.2      97B.803 [MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASONS AND LIMITS.] 
 12.3      (a) The commissioner shall prescribe seasons, limits, and 
 12.4   areas for taking migratory waterfowl in accordance with federal 
 12.5   law. 
 12.6      (b) The regular duck season may not open before the 
 12.7   Saturday closest to October 1. 
 12.8      Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.805, 
 12.9   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 12.10     Subdivision 1.  [HUNTER MUST BE CONCEALED.] (a) A person 
 12.11  may not take migratory waterfowl, coots, or rails in open water 
 12.12  unless the person is:  
 12.13     (1) within a natural growth of vegetation sufficient to 
 12.14  partially conceal the person or boat; or 
 12.15     (2) on a river or stream that is not more than 100 yards in 
 12.16  width; or 
 12.17     (3) pursuing or shooting wounded birds.  
 12.18     (b) A person may not take migratory waterfowl, coots, or 
 12.19  rails in public waters from a permanent artificial blind or sink 
 12.20  box.  
 12.21     Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.811, 
 12.22  subdivision 4a, is amended to read: 
 12.23     Subd. 4a.  [RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN MOTORIZED DECOYS.] From 
 12.24  the opening day of the duck season through the Saturday nearest 
 12.25  October 8, a person may not use a motorized decoy on public 
 12.26  waters with visible, moving parts that are above the water 
 12.27  surface, or other motorized device designed to attract migratory 
 12.28  birds, to take migratory waterfowl, other than geese.  During 
 12.29  the remainder of the duck season, the commissioner may, by rule, 
 12.30  designate all or any portion of a wetland or lake closed to the 
 12.31  use of motorized decoys or motorized devices designed to attract 
 12.32  migratory birds.  On water bodies and lands fully contained 
 12.33  within wildlife management area boundaries, a person may not use 
 12.34  motorized decoys or motorized devices designed to attract 
 12.35  migratory birds at any time during the duck season. 
 12.36     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.203, is 
 13.1   amended to read: 
 13.2      97C.203 [DISPOSAL OF STATE HATCHERY EGGS OR FRY PRODUCTS.] 
 13.3      The commissioner shall dispose of game fish eggs and fry 
 13.4   fish hatchery products according to the following order of 
 13.5   priorities:  
 13.6      (1) distribution of fish eggs and fry to state hatcheries 
 13.7   to hatch fry or raise fingerlings for stocking waters of the 
 13.8   state for recreational fishing; 
 13.9      (2) transfer to other government agencies in exchange for 
 13.10  fish or wildlife resources of equal value or private fish 
 13.11  hatcheries in exchange for fish to be stocked in waters of the 
 13.12  state for recreational fishing; 
 13.13     (3) sale of fish eggs and fry to private fish hatcheries or 
 13.14  licensed aquatic farms at a price not less than the fair 
 13.15  wholesale market value, established as the average price charged 
 13.16  at the state's private hatcheries and contiguous states per 
 13.17  volume rates; and 
 13.18     (4) transfer to other government agencies, colleges, or 
 13.19  universities for cooperative fish management and research 
 13.20  purposes; and 
 13.21     (5) sale of not more than $25 fair market value to any 
 13.22  school, museum, or commercial enterprise for curriculum 
 13.23  implementation, educational programs, public exhibition, or 
 13.24  cooperative displays. 
 13.25     <h>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</h> This section is effective the day 
 13.26  following final enactment. 
 13.27     Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.327, is 
 13.28  amended to read: 
 13.29     97C.327 [MEASUREMENT OF FISH LENGTH.] 
 13.30     For the purpose of determining compliance with size limits 
 13.31  for fish in this chapter or in rules of the commissioner, the 
 13.32  length of a fish must be measured from the tip of the nose or 
 13.33  jaw, whichever is longer, to the farthest tip of the tail when 
 13.34  fully extended. 
 13.35     Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.345, 
 13.36  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 14.1      Subd. 2.  [POSSESSION.] (a) Except as specifically 
 14.2   authorized, a person may not possess a spear, fish trap, net, 
 14.3   dip net, seine, or other device capable of taking fish on or 
 14.4   near any waters.  Possession includes personal possession and in 
 14.5   a vehicle.  
 14.6      (b) A person may possess spears, dip nets, bows and arrows, 
 14.7   and spear guns allowed under section 97C.381 on or near waters 
 14.8   between sunrise and sunset from May 1 to the third last Sunday 
 14.9   in February, or as otherwise prescribed by the commissioner. 
 14.10     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.395, 
 14.11  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 14.12     Subdivision 1.  [DATES FOR CERTAIN SPECIES.] (a) The open 
 14.13  seasons to take fish by angling are as follows: 
 14.14     (1) for walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, 
 14.15  largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass, the Saturday two weeks 
 14.16  prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to the third last 
 14.17  Sunday in February; 
 14.18     (2) for lake trout, from January 1 to October 31; 
 14.19     (3) for brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and 
 14.20  splake, between January 1 to October 31 as prescribed by the 
 14.21  commissioner by rule except as provided in section 97C.415, 
 14.22  subdivision 2; and 
 14.23     (4) for salmon, as prescribed by the commissioner by rule. 
 14.24     (b) The commissioner shall close the season in areas of the 
 14.25  state where fish are spawning and closing the season will 
 14.26  protect the resource. 
 14.27     Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.401, 
 14.28  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 14.29     Subd. 2.  [WALLEYE; NORTHERN PIKE.] (a) Except as provided 
 14.30  in paragraphs paragraph (b) and (c), a person may not take no 
 14.31  more than one walleye larger than 24 20 inches and one northern 
 14.32  pike larger than 30 inches daily.  
 14.33     (b) The restrictions in paragraph (a) do not apply to 
 14.34  boundary waters. 
 14.35     (c) On Lake of the Woods, a person may take no more than 
 14.36  one walleye larger than 19.5 inches and one northern pike larger 
 15.1   than 36 inches daily. 
 15.2      <h>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</h> This section is effective March 1, 2006. 
 15.3      Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.825, 
 15.4   subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 15.5      Subd. 5.  [NET LIMITS FOR LAKE OF THE WOODS AND RAINY 
 15.6   LAKE.] (a) The maximum amount of nets permitted to be licensed 
 15.7   shall be: 
 15.8      (a) (1) in Lake of the Woods, 50-pound nets, 80,000 feet of 
 15.9   gill nets or 160 submerged trap nets, and 80 fyke or staked trap 
 15.10  nets.  Licenses for submerged trap nets may be issued instead of 
 15.11  licenses for gill nets in the ratio of not more than one 
 15.12  submerged trap net per 500 feet of gill net, and the maximum 
 15.13  permissible amount of gill nets shall be reduced by 500 feet for 
 15.14  each submerged trap net licensed.; and 
 15.15     (b) (2) in Rainy Lake, 20-pound nets and 20,000 feet of 
 15.16  gill nets. 
 15.17     (c) When a licensee has had a license revoked or 
 15.18  surrendered, the commissioner shall not be required to issue 
 15.19  licenses for the amount of netting previously authorized under 
 15.20  the revoked or surrendered license. 
 15.21     (d) (b) Commercial fishing may be prohibited in the 
 15.22  Minnesota portions of international waters when it is prohibited 
 15.23  in the international waters by Canadian authorities. 
 15.24     (e) The commissioner may adopt rules to limit the total 
 15.25  amount of game fish taken by commercial fishing operators in 
 15.26  Lake of the Woods in any one season and shall apportion the 
 15.27  amount to each licensee in accordance with the number and length 
 15.28  of nets licensed.  
 15.29     Sec. 31.  [CONFORMING CHANGES; RULES.] 
 15.30     The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under 
 15.31  Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), 
 15.32  to amend rules to conform to sections 26 and 28.  Minnesota 
 15.33  Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply to the rulemaking under 
 15.34  this section except to the extent provided under Minnesota 
 15.35  Statutes, section 14.388. 
 15.36     Sec. 32.  [REPEALER.] 
 16.1      (a) Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 88.27; 97B.005, 
 16.2   subdivision 4; 97B.935; 97C.015; 97C.403; and 97C.825, 
 16.3   subdivisions 6, 7, 8, and 9, are repealed. 
 16.4      (b) Minnesota Rules, part 6234.2300, subparts 2 and 3, are 
 16.5   repealed.