1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; providing for aquatic
1.3 	invasive species management funding; creating an
1.4 	account; requiring a watercraft decal; modifying
1.5 	disposition of watercraft surcharge; appropriating
1.6 	money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section
1.7 	86B.415, subdivision 7; proposing coding for new law
1.8 	in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 84D; 86B.
1.9 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.10 	Section 1. [84D.025] AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES ACCOUNT.
1.11 	(a) An aquatic invasive species account is created in the
1.12 	natural resources fund.  Decal fees under section 86B.402 and
1.13 	the watercraft surcharge under section 86B.415, subdivision 7,
1.14 	are credited to the account.
1.15 	(b) The aquatic invasive species account is dedicated to
1.16 	preventing the spread of invasive species of aquatic plants and
1.17 	wild animals into uninfested waters, controlling and managing
1.18 	aquatic invasive species, and reestablishing biological
1.19 	integrity in Minnesota's lakes and rivers.
1.20 	(c) A portion of the account must be used for a cost-share
1.21 	grant program to local governments, lake associations, and
1.22 	conservation organizations.  Eligible prevention and management
1.23 	activities for cost-share grants include, but are not limited to:
1.24 	(1) developing prevention plans;
1.25 	(2) aquatic invasive species surveys and monitoring;
1.26 	(3) public education and training programs;
1.27 	(4) conducting watercraft inspection programs or boat
2.1 	washing at public and private accesses;
2.2 	(5) management and control activities in lake vegetation
2.3 	management plans or other specific aquatic invasive species
2.4 	prevention or mitigation plans; and 
2.5 	(6) demonstration projects approved by the commissioner.

2.6 	Sec. 2. [86B.402] AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES DECAL.
2.7 		Subdivision 1.Decal required; fee. A person may not
2.8 	operate a motorized watercraft in public waters unless an
2.9 	aquatic invasive species decal is affixed to the watercraft.
2.10 	The commissioner shall issue an aquatic invasive species decal
2.11 	upon application and payment of a $10 fee.  The decal is valid
2.12 	for one year following the year it is issued.  Fees collected
2.13 	under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and
2.14 	credited to the aquatic invasive species account in the natural
2.15 	resources fund under section 84D.025.
2.16 		Subd. 2.Placement of decal. The aquatic invasive
2.17 	species decal must be permanently affixed to the forward half of
2.18 	the watercraft directly above or below the registration decal.
2.19 		Subd. 3.Licensing agents. The commissioner shall sell
2.20 	aquatic invasive species decals through a similar process
2.21 	established under section 84.8205.

2.22 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 86B.415,
2.23 	subdivision 7, is amended to read:
2.24 		Subd. 7.Watercraft surcharge. (a) A $5 surcharge is
2.25 	placed on each watercraft licensed under subdivisions 1 to 5 for
2.26 	management,control, public awareness, law enforcement,
2.27 	training, watercraft inspection,monitoring, and research of
2.28 	aquatic invasive species such as , including, but not limited to,
2.29 	zebra mussel, purple loosestrife curly leaf pondweed, and
2.30 	Eurasian water milfoil,in public waters and public wetlands.
2.31 	(b) Notwithstanding subdivision 9, the surcharge money must
2.32 	be deposited in the state treasury, credited to the aquatic
2.33 	invasive species account under section 84D.025, and used for the
2.34 	purposes specified in that section.

2.35 	Sec. 4. APPROPRIATION.
 2.36 	$....... is appropriated from the aquatic invasive species
3.1 	account in the natural resources fund to the commissioner of
3.2 	natural resources for aquatic invasive species control and
3.3 	management.  The appropriation is available for the biennium
3.4 	ending June 30, 2007.

3.5 	Sec. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 3.6 	(a) Sections 1 and 3 are effective the day following final
3.7 	enactment.
3.8 	(b) Section 2 is effective January 1, 2006.