<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>authority to establish forestry services fees; modifying the forest management <br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>lease pilot project; modifying timber sales provisions; eliminating certain <br/>
<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>pilot projects and reports;amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 88.17, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>subdivisions 1, 3; 88.79, subdivision 2; 90.041, by adding a subdivision; <br/>
<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>90.121; 90.14; Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 88.795; repealing <br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 90.172.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 88.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>    Subdivision 1. <b>Permit</b><b> Permission</b><b> required.</b> (a) A permit Permission to start a fire <br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>to burn vegetative materials and other materials allowed by Minnesota Statutes or official <br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>state rules and regulations may be given by the commissioner or the commissioner's agent. <br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>This permission shall be in the form of:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>(1) a written permit issued by a forest officer, fire warden, or other person authorized <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>by the commissioner; or<br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>(2) an electronic permit issued by the commissioner, an agent authorized by the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>commissioner, or an Internet site authorized by the commissioner.; or<br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>(3) a general permit adopted by the county board of commissioners according to <br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>paragraph (c).<br/>
<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>(b) Written and electronic burning permits shall set the time and conditions by which <br/>
<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>the fire may be started and burned. The permit shall also specifically list the materials that <br/>
<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>may be burned. The permittee must have the permit on their person and shall produce <br/>
<a id="pl.1.24"></a><var>1.24</var>the permit for inspection when requested to do so by a forest officer, conservation officer, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.25"></a><var>1.25</var>or other peace officer. The permittee shall remain with the fire at all times and before <br/>
<a id="pl.1.26"></a><var>1.26</var>leaving the site shall completely extinguish the fire. A person shall not start or cause a <br/>
<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>fire to be started on any land that is not owned or under their legal control without the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>written permission of the owner, lessee, or an agent of the owner or lessee of the land. <br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>Violating or exceeding the permit conditions shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be <br/>
<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>cause for the permit to be revoked.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>(c) A general burning permit may be adopted by the county board of commissioners <br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>in counties that are determined by the commissioner either to not be wildfire areas as <br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>defined in section 88.01, subdivision 6, or to otherwise have low potential for damage <br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>to life and property from wildfire. The commissioner shall consider the history of and <br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>potential for wildfire; the distribution of trees, brush, grasslands, and other vegetative <br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>material; and the distribution of property subject to damage from escaped fires. Upon a <br/>
<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>determination by the commissioner and adoption by a vote of the county board, permission <br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>for open burning is extended to all residents in the county without the need for individual <br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>written or electronic permits, provided burning conforms to all other provisions of this <br/>
<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>chapter, including those related to responsibility to control and extinguish fires, no burning <br/>
<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>of prohibited materials, and liability for damages caused by violations of this chapter.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>(d) Upon adoption of a general burning permit, a county must establish specific <br/>
<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>regulations by ordinance, to include at a minimum the time when and conditions under <br/>
<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>which fires may be started and burned. No ordinance may be less restrictive than state law.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>(e) At any time when the commissioner or the county board determines that a general <br/>
<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>burning permit is no longer in the public interest, the general permit may be canceled by <br/>
<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>mutual agreement of the commissioner and the county board.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.2.0"></a><a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 88.17, subdivision 3, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>    Subd. 3. <b>Special permits.</b> The following special permits are required at all times, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>including when the ground is snow-covered:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var>(a)  <b>Fire training.</b> A permit to start a fire for the instruction and training of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>firefighters, including liquid fuels training, may be given by the commissioner or agent of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>the commissioner. Except for owners or operators conducting fire training in specialized <br/>
<a id="pl.2.28"></a><var>2.28</var>industrial settings pursuant to applicable federal, state, or local standards, owners <br/>
<a id="pl.2.29"></a><var>2.29</var>or operators conducting open burning for the purpose of instruction and training of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.30"></a><var>2.30</var>firefighters with regard to structures must follow the techniques described in a document <br/>
<a id="pl.2.31"></a><var>2.31</var>entitled: Structural Burn Training Procedures for the Minnesota Technical College System. <br/>
<a id="pl.2.32"></a><var>2.32</var>(b)  <b>Permanent tree and brush open burning sites.</b> A permit for the operation of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.33"></a><var>2.33</var>a permanent tree and brush burning site may be given by the commissioner or agent of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.34"></a><var>2.34</var>the commissioner. Applicants for a permanent open burning site permit shall submit a <br/>
<a id="pl.2.35"></a><var>2.35</var>complete application on a form provided by the commissioner. Existing permanent tree <br/>
<a id="pl.3.1"></a><var>3.1</var>and brush open burning sites must submit for a permit within 90 days of the passage of <br/>
<a id="pl.3.2"></a><var>3.2</var>this statute for a burning permit. New site applications must be submitted at least 90 <br/>
<a id="pl.3.3"></a><var>3.3</var>days before the date of the proposed operation of the permanent open burning site. The <br/>
<a id="pl.3.4"></a><var>3.4</var>application must be submitted to the commissioner and must contain: <br/>
<a id="pl.3.5"></a><var>3.5</var>(1) the name, address, and telephone number of all owners of the site proposed for <br/>
<a id="pl.3.6"></a><var>3.6</var>use as the permanent open burning site;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.7"></a><var>3.7</var>(2) if the operator for the proposed permanent open burning site is different from the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.8"></a><var>3.8</var>owner, the name, address, and telephone number of the operator;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.9"></a><var>3.9</var>(3) a general description of the materials to be burned, including the source and <br/>
<a id="pl.3.10"></a><var>3.10</var>estimated quantity, dimensions of the site and burn pile areas, hours and dates of operation, <br/>
<a id="pl.3.11"></a><var>3.11</var>and provisions for smoke management; and<br/>
<a id="pl.3.12"></a><var>3.12</var>(4) a topographic or similarly detailed map of the site and surrounding area within <br/>
<a id="pl.3.13"></a><var>3.13</var>a one mile circumference showing all structures that might be affected by the operation <br/>
<a id="pl.3.14"></a><var>3.14</var>of the site.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.15"></a><var>3.15</var>Only trees, tree trimmings, or brush that cannot be disposed of by an alternative <br/>
<a id="pl.3.16"></a><var>3.16</var>method such as chipping, composting, or other method shall be permitted to be burned <br/>
<a id="pl.3.17"></a><var>3.17</var>at a permanent open burning site. A permanent tree and brush open burning site must <br/>
<a id="pl.3.18"></a><var>3.18</var>be located and operated so as not to create a nuisance or endanger water quality. The <br/>
<a id="pl.3.19"></a><var>3.19</var>commissioner shall revoke the permit or order actions to mitigate threats to public health, <br/>
<a id="pl.3.20"></a><var>3.20</var>safety, and the environment in the event that permit conditions are violated.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.3.0"></a><a id="pl.3.21"></a><var>3.21</var>    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 88.79, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.22"></a><var>3.22</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Charge for service; receipts to special revenue fund.</b> Notwithstanding <br/>
<a id="pl.3.23"></a><var>3.23</var>section 16A.1283, the commissioner of natural resources may charge the owner, by written <br/>
<a id="pl.3.24"></a><var>3.24</var>order published in the State Register, establish fees the commissioner determines to be <br/>
<a id="pl.3.25"></a><var>3.25</var>fair and reasonable that are charged to owners receiving such services such sums as the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.26"></a><var>3.26</var>commissioner shall determine to be fair and reasonable under subdivision 1. The charges <br/>
<a id="pl.3.27"></a><var>3.27</var>must account for differences in the value of timber and other benefits. The receipts from <br/>
<a id="pl.3.28"></a><var>3.28</var>such services shall be credited to the special revenue fund and are annually appropriated to <br/>
<a id="pl.3.29"></a><var>3.29</var>the commissioner for the purposes specified in subdivision 1.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.4.0"></a><a id="pl.3.30"></a><var>3.30</var>    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 88.795, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.31"></a><var>3.31</var><b>88.795 FOREST MANAGEMENT LEASE PILOT PROJECT.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.3.32"></a><var>3.32</var>(a) Notwithstanding the permit procedures of chapter 90, the commissioner of <br/>
<a id="pl.3.33"></a><var>3.33</var>natural resources may lease up to 10,000 acres of state-owned forest lands for forest <br/>
<a id="pl.4.1"></a><var>4.1</var>management purposes for a term not to exceed 21 years. No person or entity may lease <br/>
<a id="pl.4.2"></a><var>4.2</var>more than 3,000 20,000 acres. The lease shall provide:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.3"></a><var>4.3</var>(1) that the lessee must comply with timber harvesting and forest management <br/>
<a id="pl.4.4"></a><var>4.4</var>guidelines developed under section 
         <statute_ref>89A.05</statute_ref> and landscape-level plans under section <br/>
<statute_ref><a id="pl.4.5"></a><var>4.5</var>89A.06
         </statute_ref> that have been adopted by the Minnesota Forest Resources Council, and in effect <br/>
<a id="pl.4.6"></a><var>4.6</var>at the time of any management activity; and<br/>
<a id="pl.4.7"></a><var>4.7</var>(2) for public access for hunting, fishing, and motorized and nonmotorized recreation <br/>
<a id="pl.4.8"></a><var>4.8</var>to the leased land that is the same as would be available under state management.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.9"></a><var>4.9</var>(b) For the purposes of this section, the term "state-owned forest lands" may include <br/>
<a id="pl.4.10"></a><var>4.10</var>school trust lands as defined in section 
         <statute_ref>92.025</statute_ref> or university land granted to the state by <br/>
<a id="pl.4.11"></a><var>4.11</var>Acts of Congress.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.12"></a><var>4.12</var>(c) By December 15, 2009, the commissioner of natural resources shall provide a <br/>
<a id="pl.4.13"></a><var>4.13</var>report to the house of representatives and senate natural resources policy and finance <br/>
<a id="pl.4.14"></a><var>4.14</var>committees and divisions on the pilot project. The report will detail a plan for the <br/>
<a id="pl.4.15"></a><var>4.15</var>implementation of the pilot project with a starting date that is no later than July 1, 2010.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.16"></a><var>4.16</var>(d) Upon implementation of the pilot project, the commissioner shall provide an <br/>
<a id="pl.4.17"></a><var>4.17</var>annual report to the house of representatives and senate natural resources policy and <br/>
<a id="pl.4.18"></a><var>4.18</var>finance committees and divisions on the progress of the project, including the acres leased, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.19"></a><var>4.19</var>a breakdown of the types of forest land, and amounts harvested by species. The report <br/>
<a id="pl.4.20"></a><var>4.20</var>shall include a net revenue analysis comparing the lease revenue with the estimated net <br/>
<a id="pl.4.21"></a><var>4.21</var>revenue that would be obtained through state management and silvicultural practices cost <br/>
<a id="pl.4.22"></a><var>4.22</var>savings the state realizes through leasing.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.23"></a><var>4.23</var>(e) Nothing in this section supersedes the duties of the commissioner of natural <br/>
<a id="pl.4.24"></a><var>4.24</var>resources to properly manage forest lands under the authority of the commissioner, as <br/>
<a id="pl.4.25"></a><var>4.25</var>defined in section 
         <statute_ref>89.001, subdivision 13</statute_ref>.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.5.0"></a><a id="pl.4.26"></a><var>4.26</var>    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 90.041, is amended by adding a subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.4.27"></a><var>4.27</var>to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.28"></a><var>4.28</var>    Subd. 9. <b>Reoffering unsold timber.</b> To maintain and enhance forest ecosystems on <br/>
<a id="pl.4.29"></a><var>4.29</var>state forest lands, the commissioner may reoffer timber tracts remaining unsold under the <br/>
<a id="pl.4.30"></a><var>4.30</var>provisions of section 90.101 below appraised value at public auction with the required <br/>
<a id="pl.4.31"></a><var>4.31</var>30-day notice under section 90.101, subdivision 2.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.6.0"></a><a id="pl.4.32"></a><var>4.32</var>    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 90.121, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.33"></a><var>4.33</var><b>90.121 INTERMEDIATE AUCTION SALES; MAXIMUM LOTS OF 3,000 </b><br/>
<a id="pl.4.34"></a><var>4.34</var><b>CORDS.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.5.1"></a><var>5.1</var>(a) The commissioner may sell the timber on any tract of state land in lots not <br/>
<a id="pl.5.2"></a><var>5.2</var>exceeding 3,000 cords in volume, in the same manner as timber sold at public auction <br/>
<a id="pl.5.3"></a><var>5.3</var>under section 
         <statute_ref>90.101</statute_ref>, and related laws, subject to the following special exceptions and <br/>
<a id="pl.5.4"></a><var>5.4</var>limitations:<br/>
<a id="pl.5.5"></a><var>5.5</var>(1) the commissioner shall offer all tracts authorized for sale by this section <br/>
<a id="pl.5.6"></a><var>5.6</var>separately from the sale of tracts of state timber made pursuant to section 
         <statute_ref>90.101</statute_ref>;<br/>
<a id="pl.5.7"></a><var>5.7</var>(2) no bidder may be awarded more than 25 percent of the total tracts offered at the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.8"></a><var>5.8</var>first round of bidding unless fewer than four tracts are offered, in which case not more <br/>
<a id="pl.5.9"></a><var>5.9</var>than one tract shall be awarded to one bidder. Any tract not sold at public auction may be <br/>
<a id="pl.5.10"></a><var>5.10</var>offered for private sale as authorized by section 
         <statute_ref>90.101, subdivision 1</statute_ref>, to persons eligible <br/>
<a id="pl.5.11"></a><var>5.11</var>under this section at the appraised value; and<br/>
<a id="pl.5.12"></a><var>5.12</var>(3) no sale may be made to a person having more than 20 30 employees. For the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.13"></a><var>5.13</var>purposes of this clause, "employee" means an individual working as a logger for salary or <br/>
<a id="pl.5.14"></a><var>5.14</var>wages on a full-time or part-time basis.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.15"></a><var>5.15</var>(b) The auction sale procedure set forth in this section constitutes an additional <br/>
<a id="pl.5.16"></a><var>5.16</var>alternative timber sale procedure available to the commissioner and is not intended to <br/>
<a id="pl.5.17"></a><var>5.17</var>replace other authority possessed by the commissioner to sell timber in lots of 3,000 <br/>
<a id="pl.5.18"></a><var>5.18</var>cords or less.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.19"></a><var>5.19</var>(c) Another bidder or the commissioner may request that the number of employees a <br/>
<a id="pl.5.20"></a><var>5.20</var>bidder has pursuant to paragraph (a), clause (3), be confirmed if there is evidence that the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.21"></a><var>5.21</var>bidder may be ineligible due to exceeding the employee threshold. The commissioner <br/>
<a id="pl.5.22"></a><var>5.22</var>shall request information from the commissioner of labor and industry including the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.23"></a><var>5.23</var>premiums paid by the bidder in question for workers' compensation insurance coverage <br/>
<a id="pl.5.24"></a><var>5.24</var>for all employees of the bidder. The commissioner shall review the information submitted <br/>
<a id="pl.5.25"></a><var>5.25</var>by the commissioner of labor and industry and make a determination based on the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.26"></a><var>5.26</var>information as to whether the bidder is eligible.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.7.0"></a><a id="pl.5.27"></a><var>5.27</var>    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 90.14, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.5.28"></a><var>5.28</var><b>90.14 AUCTION SALE PROCEDURE.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.5.29"></a><var>5.29</var>(a) All state timber shall be offered and sold by the same unit of measurement as it <br/>
<a id="pl.5.30"></a><var>5.30</var>was appraised. No tract shall be sold to any person other than the purchaser in whose name <br/>
<a id="pl.5.31"></a><var>5.31</var>the bid was made. The commissioner may refuse to approve any and all bids received and <br/>
<a id="pl.5.32"></a><var>5.32</var>cancel a sale of state timber for good and sufficient reasons.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.33"></a><var>5.33</var>(b) The purchaser at any sale of timber shall, immediately upon the approval of the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.34"></a><var>5.34</var>bid, or, if unsold at public auction, at the time of purchase at a subsequent sale under <br/>
<a id="pl.5.35"></a><var>5.35</var>section 
         <statute_ref>90.101, subdivision 1</statute_ref>, pay to the commissioner a down payment of 15 percent <br/>
<a id="pl.6.1"></a><var>6.1</var>of the appraised value. In case any purchaser fails to make such payment, the purchaser <br/>
<a id="pl.6.2"></a><var>6.2</var>shall be liable therefor to the state in a civil action, and the commissioner may reoffer the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.3"></a><var>6.3</var>timber for sale as though no bid or sale under section 
         <statute_ref>90.101, subdivision 1</statute_ref>, therefor <br/>
<a id="pl.6.4"></a><var>6.4</var>had been made.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.5"></a><var>6.5</var>(c) In lieu of the scaling of state timber required by this chapter, a purchaser of <br/>
<a id="pl.6.6"></a><var>6.6</var>state timber may, at the time of payment by the purchaser to the commissioner of 15 <br/>
<a id="pl.6.7"></a><var>6.7</var>percent of the appraised value, elect in writing on a form prescribed by the attorney <br/>
<a id="pl.6.8"></a><var>6.8</var>general to purchase a permit based solely on the appraiser's estimate of the volume of <br/>
<a id="pl.6.9"></a><var>6.9</var>timber described in the permit, provided that the commissioner has expressly designated <br/>
<a id="pl.6.10"></a><var>6.10</var>the availability of such option for that tract on the list of tracts available for sale as <br/>
<a id="pl.6.11"></a><var>6.11</var>required under section 
         <statute_ref>90.101</statute_ref>. A purchaser who elects in writing on a form prescribed <br/>
<a id="pl.6.12"></a><var>6.12</var>by the attorney general to purchase a permit based solely on the appraiser's estimate of <br/>
<a id="pl.6.13"></a><var>6.13</var>the volume of timber described on the permit does not have recourse to the provisions <br/>
<a id="pl.6.14"></a><var>6.14</var>of section 
         <statute_ref>90.281</statute_ref>.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.15"></a><var>6.15</var>(d) In the case of a public auction sale conducted by a sealed bid process, tracts shall <br/>
<a id="pl.6.16"></a><var>6.16</var>be awarded to the high bidder, who shall pay to the commissioner a down payment of 15 <br/>
<a id="pl.6.17"></a><var>6.17</var>percent of the appraised value within ten business days of receiving a written award <br/>
<a id="pl.6.18"></a><var>6.18</var>notice that must be received or postmarked within 14 days of the date of the sealed bid <br/>
<a id="pl.6.19"></a><var>6.19</var>opening. If a purchaser fails to make the down payment, the purchaser is liable for the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.20"></a><var>6.20</var>down payment to the state and the commissioner may offer the timber for sale to the next <br/>
<a id="pl.6.21"></a><var>6.21</var>highest bidder as though no higher bid had been made.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.22"></a><var>6.22</var>(e) Except as otherwise provided by law, at the time the purchaser signs a permit <br/>
<a id="pl.6.23"></a><var>6.23</var>issued under section 
         <statute_ref>90.151</statute_ref>, the commissioner shall require the purchaser shall to make <br/>
<a id="pl.6.24"></a><var>6.24</var>a bid guarantee payment to the commissioner in an amount equal to 15 percent of the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.25"></a><var>6.25</var>total purchase price of the permit less the down payment amount required by paragraph <br/>
<a id="pl.6.26"></a><var>6.26</var>(b) for any bid increase in excess of $5,000 of the appraised value. If the a required bid <br/>
<a id="pl.6.27"></a><var>6.27</var>guarantee payment is not submitted with the signed permit, no harvesting may occur, the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.28"></a><var>6.28</var>permit cancels, and the down payment for timber forfeits to the state. The bid guarantee <br/>
<a id="pl.6.29"></a><var>6.29</var>payment forfeits to the state if the purchaser and successors in interest fail to execute <br/>
<a id="pl.6.30"></a><var>6.30</var>an effective permit.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.8.0"></a><a id="pl.6.31"></a><var>6.31</var>    Sec. 8. <b> REPEALER.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.6.32"></a><var>6.32</var>Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 90.172, is repealed.<br/>