1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; establishing moratorium on moose hunting; 
1.3 	requiring a report.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. MOOSE HUNTING MORATORIUM.
 1.6 	(a) The legislature finds that a temporary moratorium on hunting moose is necessary 
1.7 	to protect Minnesota's moose population. The commissioner of natural resources shall not 
1.8 	issue licenses to take moose and shall not prescribe an open season to take moose under 
1.9 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 97B.501 and 97B.505.
1.10 	(b) The commissioner shall conduct a study of the moose population in Minnesota, 
1.11 	to include moose numbers, health, mortality, and habitat and the effects of hunting on the 
1.12 	moose population. On the basis of the study, the commissioner shall determine whether 
1.13 	moose can be hunted in Minnesota without a detrimental impact on the moose population.
1.14 	(c) By January 1, 2015, the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and 
1.15 	ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees having 
1.16 	jurisdiction over natural resources. The report must include the results of the study under 
1.17 	paragraph (b) and the determination of whether moose can be hunted in Minnesota without 
1.18 	a detrimental impact on the moose population. If the commissioner determines that moose 
1.19 	cannot be hunted in Minnesota without a detrimental impact on the moose population, the 
1.20 	commissioner shall recommend extending the temporary moratorium under this section or 
1.21 	eliminating moose hunting in Minnesota. If the commissioner recommends extending the 
1.22 	temporary moratorium under this section, the commissioner shall thereafter submit reports 
1.23 	biannually regarding the health and numbers of the Minnesota moose population, with 
2.1 	a determination as to whether moose can be hunted in Minnesota without a detrimental 
2.2 	impact on the moose population.
2.3 	(d) This section expires upon a determination by the commissioner, submitted 
2.4 	according to paragraph (c), that moose can be hunted in Minnesota without a detrimental 
2.5 	impact on the moose population.

2.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.