1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; modifying elk management plan requirements; 
1.3 	requiring annual reports;amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 3.7371, by 
1.4 	adding a subdivision; 97B.516.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 3.7371, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 8.Report. The commissioner must submit a report to the chairs of the house 
1.9 	of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture 
1.10 	and environment and natural resources by December 15 each year that details the total 
1.11 	amount of damages paid, by elk herd, in the previous two fiscal years.

1.12 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.516, is amended to read:
1.13 	97B.516 ELK MANAGEMENT PLAN.
1.14 	(a) The commissioner of natural resources must adopt an elk management plan that:
1.15 	(1) recognizes the value and uniqueness of elk;
1.16 	(2) provides for integrated management of an elk population in harmony with the 
1.17 	environment; and
1.18 	(3) affords optimum recreational opportunities.
1.19 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner must not manage an elk herd 
1.20 	in a manner that would increase the size of the herd, including adoption or implementation 
1.21 	of an elk management plan designed to increase an elk herd, unless the commissioner of 
1.22 	agriculture verifies that crop and fence damages paid under section 3.7371 and attributed 
1.23 	to the herd have not increased for at least two years.
2.1 	(c) At least 60 days prior to implementing a plan to increase an elk herd, the 
2.2 	commissioners of natural resources and agriculture must hold a joint public meeting in the 
2.3 	county where the elk herd to be increased is located. At the meeting, the commissioners 
2.4 	must present evidence that crop and fence damages have not increased in the prior two years 
2.5 	and must detail the practices that will be used to reduce elk conflicts with area landowners.

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