1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; providing for a wild rice study.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. WILD RICE STUDY.
 1.5 		Subdivision 1.Study. The commissioner of agriculture, in cooperation with the 
1.6 	commissioner of natural resources, shall review the need for a study on strains of wild 
1.7 	rice that are indigenous to Minnesota, sacred to the Ojibwe people, and important both 
1.8 	historically and economically to this state. These specific strains are Zizania aquatica and 
1.9 	Zizania palustris. The proposed study would include:
1.10 	(1) evidence of population decline in these strains in Minnesota lakes, rivers, and 
1.11 	streams and, if such a decline is found, an explanation of possible contributing factors;
1.12 	(2) arguments for and against the economic, agronomic, cultural, and historical 
1.13 	importance of maintaining the integrity of these strains;
1.14 	(3) evaluation of methods available for maintaining the integrity of these strains 
1.15 	in Minnesota lakes, rivers, and streams, including scientific, regulatory, and any other 
1.16 	reasonable methods the commissioners may identify; and
1.17 	(4) recommendations that address the findings in clauses (1) to (3).
1.18 		Subd. 2.Deadlines. No later than November 15, 2007, the commissioners shall 
1.19 	report on the need for the study described in subdivision 1 to the chairs of the house and 
1.20 	senate committees with jurisdiction over agriculture, environment, and natural resource 
1.21 	policy and finance and representatives of the seven sovereign Ojibwe tribes of Minnesota. 
1.22 	No later than January 15, 2008, the commissioners shall report on the need for the study 
1.23 	to the house and senate committees with jurisdiction over agriculture, environment, and 
1.24 	natural resource policy and finance. In their report to the committees, the commissioners 
2.1 	must include the official, written response of the Ojibwe representatives and other 
2.2 	interested parties who received the initial report from the commissioners.