1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to state government; modifying environment and natural resources laws; 
1.3 	modifying forestry laws; modifying game and fish laws; modifying water law; 
1.4 	requiring reports; making technical corrections;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.5 	2022, sections 84.788, subdivision 5; 84.82, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 
1.6 	84.821, subdivision 2; 84.84; 84.86, subdivision 1; 84.87, subdivision 1; 84.922, 
1.7 	subdivision 4; 84.992, subdivisions 2, 5; 85.015, subdivision 10; 85.052, subdivision 
1.8 	6; 89A.11; 90.181, subdivision 2; 97A.015, subdivision 51; 97A.031; 97A.126; 
1.9 	97A.137, subdivisions 3, 5; 97A.401, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 
1.10 	97A.405, subdivision 5; 97A.421, subdivision 3; 97B.031, subdivision 1; 97B.071; 
1.11 	97B.301, subdivisions 2, 6; 97B.318, subdivision 1; 97B.668; 97C.041; 97C.315, 
1.12 	subdivision 1; 97C.345, subdivision 1; 97C.371, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 97C.395, 
1.13 	subdivision 1; 97C.601, subdivision 1; 97C.836; 103G.005, by adding subdivisions; 
1.14 	103G.287, subdivision 2; 103G.299, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, 10; 103G.301, 
1.15 	subdivisions 6, 7; 115.061; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.16 	chapters 11A; 97C; 103G; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.055; 
1.17 	Minnesota Rules, parts 6100.5000, subparts 3, 4, 5; 6100.5700, subpart 4.
1.18 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.19 	Section 1. [11A.236] ACCOUNT TO INVEST FINANCIAL ASSURANCE MONEY 
1.20 	FROM PERMITS TO MINE.
1.21 		Subdivision 1.Establishment; appropriation. (a) The State Board of Investment, when 
1.22 	requested by the commissioner of natural resources, may invest money collected by the 
1.23 	commissioner as part of financial assurance provided under a permit to mine issued under 
1.24 	chapter 93. The State Board of Investment may establish one or more accounts into which 
1.25 	money may be deposited for the purposes of this section, subject to the policies and 
1.26 	procedures of the State Board of Investment. Use of any money in the account is restricted 
1.27 	to the financial assurance purposes identified in sections 93.46 to 93.51 and rules adopted 
1.28 	thereunder and as authorized under any trust fund agreement or other conditions established 
1.29 	under a permit to mine.
2.1 	(b) Money in an account established under paragraph (a) is appropriated to the 
2.2 	commissioner for the purposes for which the account is established under this section.
2.3 		Subd. 2.Account maintenance and investment. (a) The commissioner of natural 
2.4 	resources may deposit money in the appropriate account and may withdraw money from 
2.5 	the appropriate account for the financial assurance purposes identified in sections 93.46 to 
2.6 	93.51 and rules adopted thereunder and as authorized under any trust fund agreement or 
2.7 	other conditions established under the permit to mine for which the financial assurance is 
2.8 	provided, subject to the policies and procedures of the State Board of Investment.
2.9 	(b) Investment strategies related to an account established under this section must be 
2.10 	determined jointly by the commissioner of natural resources and the executive director of 
2.11 	the State Board of Investment. The authorized investments for an account are the investments 
2.12 	authorized under section 11A.24 that are made available for investment by the State Board 
2.13 	of Investment.
2.14 	(c) Investment transactions must be at a time and in a manner determined by the executive 
2.15 	director of the State Board of Investment. Decisions to withdraw money from the account 
2.16 	must be determined by the commissioner of natural resources, subject to the policies and 
2.17 	procedures of the State Board of Investment. Investment earnings must be credited to the 
2.18 	appropriate account for financial assurance under the identified permit to mine.
2.19 	(d) An account may be terminated by the commissioner of natural resources at any time, 
2.20 	so long as the termination is in accordance with applicable statutes and rules and any trust 
2.21 	fund agreement or other conditions established under the permit to mine, subject to the 
2.22 	policies and procedures of the State Board of Investment.

2.23 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.788, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
2.24 		Subd. 5.Report of ownership transfers; fee. (a) Application for transfer of ownership 
2.25 	of an off-highway motorcycle registered under this section must be made to the commissioner 
2.26 	within 15 days of the date of transfer.
2.27 	(b) An application for transfer must be executed by the registered current owner and the 
2.28 	purchaser using a bill of sale that includes the vehicle serial number.
2.29 	(c) The purchaser is subject to the penalties imposed by section 84.774 if the purchaser 
2.30 	fails to apply for transfer of ownership as provided under this subdivision.

3.1 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.82, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
3.2 		Subd. 2.Application, issuance, issuing fee. (a) Application for registration or 
3.3 	reregistration shall be made to the commissioner or an authorized deputy registrar of motor 
3.4 	vehicles in a format prescribed by the commissioner and shall state the legal name and 
3.5 	address of every owner of the snowmobile.
3.6 	(b) A person who purchases a snowmobile from a retail dealer shall make application 
3.7 	for registration to the dealer at the point of sale. The dealer shall issue a dealer temporary 
3.8 	21-day registration permit to each purchaser who applies to the dealer for registration. The 
3.9 	temporary permit must contain the dealer's identification number and phone number. Each 
3.10 	retail dealer shall submit completed registration and fees to the deputy registrar at least once 
3.11 	a week. No fee may be charged by a dealer to a purchaser for providing the temporary 
3.12 	permit.
3.13 	(c) Upon receipt of the application and the appropriate fee, the commissioner or deputy 
3.14 	registrar shall issue to the applicant, or provide to the dealer, an assigned registration number 
3.15 	or a commissioner or deputy registrar temporary 21-day permit. The registration number 
3.16 	must be printed on a registration decal issued by the commissioner or a deputy registrar.
3.17 	Once issued, the registration number decal must be affixed to the snowmobile in a clearly 
3.18 	visible and permanent manner for enforcement purposes as the commissioner of natural 
3.19 	resources shall prescribe according to subdivision 3b. A dealer subject to paragraph (b) 
3.20 	shall provide the registration materials or temporary permit to the purchaser within the 
3.21 	temporary 21-day permit period. The registration is not valid unless signed by at least one 
3.22 	owner.
3.23 	(d) Each deputy registrar of motor vehicles acting pursuant to section 168.33 shall also 
3.24 	be a deputy registrar of snowmobiles. The commissioner of natural resources in agreement 
3.25 	with the commissioner of public safety may prescribe the accounting and procedural 
3.26 	requirements necessary to ensure efficient handling of registrations and registration fees. 
3.27 	Deputy registrars shall strictly comply with these accounting and procedural requirements.
3.28 	(e) In addition to other fees prescribed by law, an issuing fee of $4.50 is charged for 
3.29 	each snowmobile registration renewal, duplicate or replacement registration card, and 
3.30 	replacement decal, and an issuing fee of $7 is charged for each snowmobile registration and 
3.31 	registration transfer issued by:
3.32 	(1) a registrar or a deputy registrar and must be deposited in the manner provided in 
3.33 	section 168.33, subdivision 2; or
4.1 	(2) the commissioner and must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the 
4.2 	snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the natural resources fund.

4.3 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.82, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
4.4 	read:
4.5 		Subd. 3b.Display of registration decal. (a) A person must not operate a snowmobile 
4.6 	in the state or allow another to operate the person's snowmobile in the state unless the 
4.7 	snowmobile has its unexpired registration decal affixed to each side of the snowmobile and 
4.8 	the decals are legible.
4.9 	(b) The registration decal must be affixed:
4.10 	(1) for snowmobiles made after June 30, 1972, in the areas provided by the manufacturer 
4.11 	under section 84.821, subdivision 2; and
4.12 	(2) for all other snowmobiles, on each side of the cowling on the upper half of the 
4.13 	snowmobile.
4.14 	(c) When any previously affixed registration decal is destroyed or lost, a duplicate must 
4.15 	be affixed in the same manner as provided in paragraph (b).

4.16 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.821, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
4.17 		Subd. 2.Area for registration number. All snowmobiles made after June 30, 1972, 
4.18 	and sold in Minnesota, shall be designed and made to provide an area on which to affix the 
4.19 	registration number decal. This area shall be at a location and of dimensions prescribed by 
4.20 	rule of the commissioner. A clear area must be provided on each side of the cowling with 
4.21 	a minimum size of 3-1/2 square inches and at least 12 inches from the ground when the 
4.22 	machine is resting on a hard surface.

4.23 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.84, is amended to read:
4.24 	84.84 TRANSFER OR TERMINATION OF SNOWMOBILE OWNERSHIP.
4.25 	(a) Within 15 days after the transfer of ownership, or any part thereof, other than a 
4.26 	security interest, or the destruction or abandonment of any snowmobile, written notice of 
4.27 	the transfer or destruction or abandonment shall be given to the commissioner in such form 
4.28 	as the commissioner shall prescribe.
4.29 	(b) An application for transfer must be executed by the registered current owner and the 
4.30 	purchaser using a bill of sale that includes the vehicle serial number.
5.1 	(c) The purchaser is subject to the penalties imposed by section 84.88 if the purchaser 
5.2 	fails to apply for transfer of ownership as provided under this subdivision. Every owner or 
5.3 	part owner of a snowmobile shall, upon failure to give notice of destruction or abandonment, 
5.4 	be subject to the penalties imposed by section 84.88.

5.5 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.86, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
5.6 		Subdivision 1.Required rules, fees, and reports. (a) With a view of achieving maximum 
5.7 	use of snowmobiles consistent with protection of the environment the commissioner of 
5.8 	natural resources shall adopt rules in the manner provided by chapter 14, for the following 
5.9 	purposes:
5.10 	(1) registration of snowmobiles and display of registration numbers.;
5.11 	(2) use of snowmobiles insofar as game and fish resources are affected.;
5.12 	(3) use of snowmobiles on public lands and waters, or on grant-in-aid trails.;
5.13 	(4) uniform signs to be used by the state, counties, and cities, which are necessary or 
5.14 	desirable to control, direct, or regulate the operation and use of snowmobiles.;
5.15 	(5) specifications relating to snowmobile mufflers.; and
5.16 	(6) a comprehensive snowmobile information and safety education and training program, 
5.17 	including that includes but is not limited to the preparation and dissemination of preparing 
5.18 	and disseminating snowmobile information and safety advice to the public, the training of
5.19 	snowmobile operators, and the issuance of issuing snowmobile safety certificates to 
5.20 	snowmobile operators who successfully complete the snowmobile safety education and 
5.21 	training course.
5.22 	(b) For the purpose of administering such the program under paragraph (a), clause (6),
5.23 	and to defray expenses of training and certifying snowmobile operators, the commissioner 
5.24 	shall collect a fee from each person who receives the youth or adult training. The 
5.25 	commissioner shall collect a fee, to include a $1 issuing fee for licensing agents, for issuing 
5.26 	a duplicate snowmobile safety certificate. The commissioner shall establish both fees in a 
5.27 	manner that neither significantly overrecovers nor underrecovers costs, including overhead 
5.28 	costs, involved in providing the services. The fees are not subject to the rulemaking provisions 
5.29 	of chapter 14, and section 14.386 does not apply. The fees may be established by the 
5.30 	commissioner notwithstanding section 16A.1283. The fees, except for the issuing fee for 
5.31 	licensing agents under this subdivision, shall be deposited in the snowmobile trails and 
5.32 	enforcement account in the natural resources fund and the amount thereof, except for the 
5.33 	electronic licensing system commission established by the commissioner under section 
6.1 	84.027, subdivision 15, and issuing fees collected by the commissioner, is appropriated 
6.2 	annually to the Enforcement Division of the Department of Natural Resources for the 
6.3 	administration of such administering the programs. In addition to the fee established by the 
6.4 	commissioner, instructors may charge each person any fee paid by the instructor for the 
6.5 	person's online training course and up to the established fee amount for class materials and 
6.6 	expenses. The commissioner shall cooperate with private organizations and associations, 
6.7 	private and public corporations, and local governmental units in furtherance of the program 
6.8 	established under this paragraph (a), clause (6). School districts may cooperate with the 
6.9 	commissioner and volunteer instructors to provide space for the classroom portion of the 
6.10 	training. The commissioner shall consult with the commissioner of public safety in regard 
6.11 	to training program subject matter and performance testing that leads to the certification of 
6.12 	snowmobile operators.
6.13 	(7) (c) The operator of any snowmobile involved in an accident resulting in injury 
6.14 	requiring medical attention or hospitalization to or death of any person or total damage to 
6.15 	an extent of $500 or more, shall forward a written report of the accident to the commissioner 
6.16 	on such a form as prescribed by the commissioner shall prescribe. If the operator is killed 
6.17 	or is unable to file a report due to incapacitation, any peace officer investigating the accident 
6.18 	shall file the accident report within ten business days.

6.19 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.87, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
6.20 		Subdivision 1.Operation on streets and highways. (a) No person shall operate a 
6.21 	snowmobile upon the roadway, shoulder, or inside bank or slope of any trunk, county 
6.22 	state-aid, or county highway in this state and, in the case of a divided trunk or county 
6.23 	highway, on the right-of-way between the opposing lanes of traffic, except as provided in 
6.24 	sections 84.81 to 84.90. No person shall operate a snowmobile within the right-of-way of 
6.25 	any trunk, county state-aid, or county highway between the hours of one-half hour after 
6.26 	sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except on the right-hand side of such right-of-way 
6.27 	and in the same direction as the highway traffic on the nearest lane of the roadway adjacent 
6.28 	thereto. No snowmobile shall be operated at any time within the right-of-way of any interstate 
6.29 	highway or freeway within this state.
6.30 	(b) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) to the contrary:
6.31 	(1) under conditions prescribed by the commissioner of transportation, the commissioner 
6.32 	of transportation may allow two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the trunk 
6.33 	highway right-of-way where the commissioner of transportation determines that two-way 
7.1 	operation will not endanger users of the trunk highway or riders of the snowmobiles using 
7.2 	the trail;
7.3 	(2) under conditions prescribed by a local road authority as defined in section 160.02, 
7.4 	subdivision 25, the road authority may allow two-way operation of snowmobiles on either 
7.5 	side of the right-of-way of a street or highway under the road authority's jurisdiction, where 
7.6 	the road authority determines that two-way operation will not endanger users of the street 
7.7 	or highway or riders of the snowmobiles using the trail;
7.8 	(3) the commissioner of transportation under clause (1) and the local road authority 
7.9 	under clause (2) shall notify the commissioner of natural resources and the local law 
7.10 	enforcement agencies responsible for the streets or highways of the locations of two-way 
7.11 	snowmobile trails authorized under this paragraph; and
7.12 	(4) two-way snowmobile trails authorized under this paragraph shall be posted for 
7.13 	two-way operation at the authorized locations.
7.14 	(c) A snowmobile may make a direct crossing of a street or highway at any hour of the 
7.15 	day provided:
7.16 	(1) the crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the 
7.17 	highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;
7.18 	(2) the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main 
7.19 	traveled way of the highway;
7.20 	(3) the driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes an 
7.21 	immediate hazard;
7.22 	(4) in crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of such 
7.23 	highway with another public street or highway or at a safe location approved by the road 
7.24 	authority;
7.25 	(5) if the crossing is made between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half 
7.26 	hour before sunrise or in conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and rear lights 
7.27 	are on; and
7.28 	(6) a snowmobile may be operated upon a bridge, other than a bridge that is part of the 
7.29 	main traveled lanes of an interstate highway, when required for the purpose of avoiding 
7.30 	obstructions to travel when no other method of avoidance is possible; provided the 
7.31 	snowmobile is operated in the extreme right-hand lane, the entrance to the roadway is made 
7.32 	within 100 feet of the bridge and the crossing is made without undue delay.
8.1 	(d) No snowmobile shall be operated upon a public street or highway unless it is equipped 
8.2 	with at least one headlamp, one tail lamp, each of minimum candlepower as prescribed by 
8.3 	rules of the commissioner, reflector material of a minimum area of 16 square inches mounted 
8.4 	on each side forward of the handle bars, and with brakes each of which shall conform to 
8.5 	standards prescribed by rule of the commissioner pursuant to the authority vested in the 
8.6 	commissioner by section 84.86, and each of which shall be subject to approval of the 
8.7 	commissioner of public safety.
8.8 	(e) A snowmobile may be operated upon a public street or highway other than as provided 
8.9 	by paragraph (c) in an emergency during the period of time when and at locations where 
8.10 	snow upon the roadway renders travel by automobile impractical.
8.11 	(f) All provisions of chapters 169 and 169A shall apply to the operation of snowmobiles 
8.12 	upon streets and highways, except for those relating to required equipment, and except those 
8.13 	which by their nature have no application. Section 169.09 applies to the operation of 
8.14 	snowmobiles anywhere in the state or on the ice of any boundary water of the state.
8.15 	(g) Any sled, trailer, or other device being towed by a snowmobile must be equipped 
8.16 	with reflective materials as required by rule of the commissioner.

8.17 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.922, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
8.18 		Subd. 4.Report of transfers. (a) Application for transfer of ownership must be made 
8.19 	to the commissioner within 15 days of the date of transfer.
8.20 	(b) An application for transfer must be executed by the registered current owner and the 
8.21 	purchaser using a bill of sale that includes the vehicle serial number.
8.22 	(c) The purchaser is subject to the penalties imposed by section 84.774 if the purchaser 
8.23 	fails to apply for transfer of ownership as provided under this subdivision.

8.24 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.992, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
8.25 		Subd. 2.Program. The commissioner of natural resources shall develop and implement
8.26 	a program for the Minnesota Naturalist Corps that supports state parks and trails in providing 
8.27 	interpretation of the natural and cultural features of state parks and trails in order to enhance 
8.28 	visitors' awareness, understanding, and appreciation of those features and encourages the 
8.29 	wise and sustainable use of the environment.

9.1 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.992, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
9.2 		Subd. 5.Eligibility. A person is eligible to enroll in the Minnesota Naturalist Corps if 
9.3 	the person:
9.4 	(1) is a permanent resident of the state;
9.5 	(2) is a participant in an approved college internship program in a field related to natural 
9.6 	resources, cultural history, interpretation, or conservation; and
9.7 	(3) has completed at least one year of postsecondary education.

9.8 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 85.015, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
9.9 		Subd. 10.Luce Line Trail, Hennepin, McLeod, and Meeker Counties. (a) The trail 
9.10 	shall originate at Gleason Lake in Plymouth Village, Hennepin County, and shall follow 
9.11 	the route of the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, and include a connection to Greenleaf Lake 
9.12 	State Recreation Area.
9.13 	(b) The trail shall be developed for multiuse wherever feasible. The department shall 
9.14 	cooperate in maintaining its integrity for modes of use consistent with local ordinances.
9.15 	(c) In establishing, developing, maintaining, and operating the trail, the commissioner 
9.16 	shall cooperate with local units of government and private individuals and groups. Before 
9.17 	acquiring any parcel of land for the trail, the commissioner of natural resources shall develop 
9.18 	a management program for the parcel and conduct a public hearing on the proposed 
9.19 	management program in the vicinity of the parcel to be acquired. The management program 
9.20 	of the commissioner shall include but not be limited to the following:
9.21 	(1) fencing of portions of the trail where necessary to protect adjoining landowners; and
9.22 	(2) the maintenance of maintaining the trail in a litter free litter-free condition to the 
9.23 	extent practicable.
9.24 	(d) The commissioner shall not acquire any of the right-of-way of the Chicago 
9.25 	Northwestern Railway Company until the abandonment of the line described in this 
9.26 	subdivision has been approved by the Surface Transportation Board or the former Interstate 
9.27 	Commerce Commission. Compensation, in addition to the value of the land, shall include 
9.28 	improvements made by the railroad, including but not limited to, bridges, trestles, public 
9.29 	road crossings, or any portion thereof, it being the desire of the railroad that such 
9.30 	improvements be included in the conveyance. The fair market value of the land and 
9.31 	improvements shall be recommended by two independent appraisers mutually agreed upon 
9.32 	by the parties. The fair market value thus recommended shall be reviewed by a review 
10.1 	appraiser agreed to by the parties, and the fair market value thus determined, and supported 
10.2 	by appraisals, may be the purchase price. The commissioner may exchange lands with 
10.3 	landowners abutting the right-of-way described in this section to eliminate diagonally shaped 
10.4 	separate fields.

10.5 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 85.052, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
10.6 		Subd. 6.State park reservation system. (a) The commissioner may, by written order, 
10.7 	develop reasonable reservation policies for campsites and other using camping, lodging, 
10.8 	and day-use facilities and for tours, educational programs, seminars, events, and rentals. 
10.9 	The policies are exempt from the rulemaking provisions under chapter 14, and section 
10.10 	14.386 does not apply.
10.11 	(b) The revenue collected from the state park reservation fee established under subdivision 
10.12 	5, including interest earned, shall must be deposited in the state park account in the natural 
10.13 	resources fund and is annually appropriated to the commissioner for the cost of operating 
10.14 	the state park reservation and point-of-sale system.

10.15 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 89A.11, is amended to read:
10.16 	89A.11 SUNSET.
10.17 	Sections 89A.01; 89A.02; 89A.03; 89A.04; 89A.05; 89A.06; 89A.07; 89A.08; 89A.09; 
10.18 	89A.10; 89A.105; and 89A.11 expire June 30, 2028 2033.

10.19 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 90.181, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
10.20 		Subd. 2.Deferred payments. (a) If the amount of the statement is not paid or the payment 
10.21 	is not postmarked within 30 days of the statement date thereof, it shall bear, the amount 
10.22 	bears interest at the rate determined pursuant to section 16A.124, except that the purchaser 
10.23 	shall not be is not required to pay interest that totals $1 or less. If the amount is not paid 
10.24 	within 60 days, the commissioner shall place the account in the hands of the commissioner 
10.25 	of revenue according to chapter 16D, who shall proceed to collect the same amount due. 
10.26 	When deemed in the best interests of the state, the commissioner shall take possession of 
10.27 	the timber for which an amount is due wherever it may be found and sell the same timber
10.28 	informally or at public auction after giving reasonable notice.
10.29 	(b) The proceeds of the sale shall must be applied, first, to the payment of the expenses 
10.30 	of seizure and sale; and, second, to the payment of the amount due for the timber, with 
10.31 	interest; and. The surplus, if any, shall belong belongs to the state; and,. In case a sufficient 
10.32 	amount is not realized to pay these amounts in full, the balance shall must be collected by 
11.1 	the attorney general. Neither Payment of the amount, nor the recovery of judgment therefor
11.2 	for the amount, nor satisfaction of the judgment, nor the or seizure and sale of timber, shall
11.3 	does not:
11.4 	(1) release the sureties on any security deposit given pursuant to this chapter, or;
11.5 	(2) preclude the state from afterwards claiming that the timber was cut or removed 
11.6 	contrary to law and recovering damages for the trespass thereby committed,; or
11.7 	(3) preclude the state from prosecuting the offender criminally.

11.8 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.015, subdivision 51, is amended to read:
11.9 		Subd. 51.Unloaded. "Unloaded" means, with reference to a firearm, without ammunition 
11.10 	in the barrels and magazine, if the magazine is in the firearm. A muzzle-loading firearm 
11.11 	with is unloaded if:
11.12 	(1) for a flintlock ignition is unloaded if, it does not have priming powder in a pan. A 
11.13 	muzzle-loading firearm with;
11.14 	(2) for a percussion ignition is unloaded if, it does not have a percussion cap on a nipple.;
11.15 	(3) for an electronic ignition system, the battery is removed and is disconnected from 
11.16 	the firearm; and
11.17 	(4) for an encapsulated powder charge ignition system, the primer is removed from the 
11.18 	firearm.

11.19 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.031, is amended to read:
11.20 	97A.031 WANTON WASTE.
11.21 	(a) Unless expressly allowed, a person may not wantonly waste or destroy a usable part 
11.22 	of a protected wild animal.
11.23 	(b) This section does not apply to common carp.

11.24 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.126, is amended to read:
11.25 	97A.126 WALK-IN ACCESS PROGRAM.
11.26 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. A walk-in access program is established to provide public 
11.27 	access to wildlife habitat on private land for hunting, bird-watching, nature photography, 
11.28 	and similar compatible uses, excluding trapping, as provided under this section. The 
12.1 	commissioner may enter into agreements with other units of government and landowners 
12.2 	to provide private land hunting access.
12.3 		Subd. 2.Use of enrolled lands. (a) From September 1 to May 31, a person must have 
12.4 	a walk-in access hunter validation in possession to hunt, photograph, and watch wildlife on 
12.5 	private lands, including agricultural lands, that are posted as being enrolled in the walk-in 
12.6 	access program.
12.7 	(b) Hunting, bird-watching, nature photography, and similar compatible uses on private 
12.8 	lands that are posted as enrolled in the walk-in access program is allowed from one-half 
12.9 	hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
12.10 	(c) Hunter Access on private lands that are posted as enrolled in the walk-in access 
12.11 	program is restricted to nonmotorized use, except by hunters persons with disabilities 
12.12 	operating motor vehicles on established trails or field roads who possess a valid permit to 
12.13 	shoot from a stationary vehicle under section 97B.055, subdivision 3.
12.14 	(d) The general provisions for use of wildlife management areas adopted under sections 
12.15 	86A.06 and 97A.137, relating to overnight use, alcoholic beverages, use of motorboats, 
12.16 	firearms and target shooting, hunting stands, abandonment of trash and property, destruction 
12.17 	or removal of property, introduction of plants or animals, and animal trespass, apply to 
12.18 	hunters on use of lands enrolled in the walk-in access program.
12.19 	(e) Any use of enrolled lands other than hunting according to use authorized under this 
12.20 	section is prohibited, including:
12.21 	(1) harvesting bait, including minnows, leeches, and other live bait;
12.22 	(2) training dogs or using dogs for activities other than hunting; and
12.23 	(3) constructing or maintaining any building, dock, fence, billboard, sign, hunting blind, 
12.24 	or other structure, unless constructed or maintained by the landowner.
12.25 		Subd. 3.Walk-in-access hunter validation; fee. The fee for a walk-in-access hunter
12.26 	validation is $3.

12.27 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.137, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
12.28 		Subd. 3.Use of motorized vehicles by disabled hunters people with disabilities. The 
12.29 	commissioner may issue provide an accommodation by issuing a special permit, without a 
12.30 	fee, authorizing a hunter person with a permanent physical disability to use a snowmobile, 
12.31 	highway-licensed vehicle, all-terrain vehicle,an other power-driven mobility device, as 
12.32 	defined under Code of Federal Regulations, title 28, section 35.104, or a motor boat in 
13.1 	wildlife management areas. To qualify for a permit under this subdivision, the disabled
13.2 	person must possess: provide credible assurance to the commissioner that the device or 
13.3 	motor boat is used because of a disability.
13.4 	(1) the required hunting licenses; and
13.5 	(2) a permit to shoot from a stationary vehicle under section 97B.055, subdivision 3.

13.6 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.137, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
13.7 		Subd. 5.Portable stands. (a) Prior to the Saturday on or nearest September 16, a portable 
13.8 	stand may be left overnight in a wildlife management area by a person with a valid bear 
13.9 	license who is hunting within 100 yards of a bear bait site that is legally tagged and registered 
13.10 	as prescribed under section 97B.425. Any person leaving a portable stand overnight under 
13.11 	this subdivision must affix a tag with: (1) the person's name and address; (2) the licensee's 
13.12 	driver's license number; or (3) the "MDNR#" license identification number issued to the 
13.13 	licensee. The tag must be affixed to the stand in a manner that it can be read from the ground.
13.14 	(b) From November 1 through December 31, a portable stand may be left overnight by 
13.15 	a person possessing a license to take deer in a wildlife management area located in whole 
13.16 	or in part north and west of a line described as follows:
13.17 	State Trunk Highway 1 from the west boundary of the state to State Trunk Highway 89; 
13.18 	then north along State Trunk Highway 89 to Fourtown; then north on County State-Aid 
13.19 	Highway 44, Beltrami County, to County Road 704, Beltrami County; then north on County 
13.20 	Road 704 to Dick's Parkway State Forest Road; then north on Dick's Parkway to County 
13.21 	State-Aid Highway 5, Roseau County; then north on County State-Aid Highway 5 to 
13.22 	Warroad; then north on State Trunk Highway 11 to State Trunk Highway 313; then north 
13.23 	on State Trunk Highway 313 to the north boundary of the state.
13.24 	A person leaving a portable stand overnight under this paragraph must affix a tag with: (1) 
13.25 	the person's name and address; (2) the licensee's driver's license number; or (3) the "MDNR#" 
13.26 	license identification number issued to the licensee. The tag must be affixed to the stand so 
13.27 	that it can be read from the ground and must be made of a material sufficient to withstand 
13.28 	weather conditions. A person leaving a portable stand overnight in a wildlife management 
13.29 	area under this paragraph may not leave more than two portable stands in any one wildlife 
13.30 	management area. Unoccupied portable stands left overnight under this paragraph may be 
13.31 	used by any member of the public. This paragraph expires December 31, 2019.

14.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from July 1, 2019, and 
14.2 	Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.137, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), is revived and reenacted 
14.3 	as of that date.

14.4 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.401, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
14.5 		Subdivision 1.Commissioner's authority. The commissioner may issue special permits 
14.6 	for the activities in this section. A special permit may be issued in the form of a general 
14.7 	permit to a governmental subdivision or to the general public to conduct one or more 
14.8 	activities under subdivisions 2 to 8 9.

14.9 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.401, is amended by adding a subdivision 
14.10 	to read:
14.11 		Subd. 9.Taking wild animals with federal incidental take permit. The commissioner 
14.12 	must prescribe conditions for and may issue a permit to a person for taking wild animals 
14.13 	during activities covered under a federal incidental take permit issued under section 
14.14 	10(a)(1)(B) of the federal Endangered Species Act, including to a landowner for taking wild 
14.15 	animals during activities covered by a certificate of inclusion issued by the commissioner 
14.16 	under Code of Federal Regulations, title 50, section 13.25(e).

14.17 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.405, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
14.18 		Subd. 5.Resident licenses. (a) To obtain a resident license, a resident an individual 21 
14.19 	years of age or older must be a resident and:
14.20 	(1) possess a current Minnesota driver's license or a valid application receipt for a driver's 
14.21 	license that is at least 60 days past the issuance date;
14.22 	(2) possess a current identification card issued by the commissioner of public safety or 
14.23 	a valid application receipt for an identification card that is at least 60 days past the issuance 
14.24 	date; or
14.25 	(3) present evidence showing proof of residency in cases when clause (1) or (2) would 
14.26 	violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, Public Law 103-141.; or
14.27 	(4) possess a Tribal identification card as provided in paragraph (b).
14.28 	(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "Tribal identification card" means an unexpired 
14.29 	identification card as provided under section 171.072, paragraphs (b) and (c). The Tribal 
14.30 	identification card:
14.31 	(1) must contain the enrolled Tribal member's Minnesota residence address; and
15.1 	(2) may be used to obtain a resident license under paragraph (a) only if the Tribal member 
15.2 	does not have a current driver's license or state identification card in any state.
15.3 	(c) A person must not have applied for, purchased, or accepted a resident hunting, fishing, 
15.4 	or trapping license issued by another state or foreign country within 60 days before applying 
15.5 	for a resident license under this section.

15.6 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.421, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
15.7 		Subd. 3.Issuance after conviction; big game. (a) A person may not use a big-game 
15.8 	license purchased before conviction, obtain any a big-game license, or take big game under 
15.9 	a lifetime license, issued under section 97A.473, for three years after the person is convicted 
15.10 	of:
15.11 	(1) a gross misdemeanor violation under the game and fish laws relating to big game;
15.12 	(2) doing an act without a required big-game license; or
15.13 	(3) the second violation within three years under the game and fish laws relating to big 
15.14 	game.
15.15 	(b) A person may not obtain any deer license or take deer under a lifetime license issued 
15.16 	under section 97A.473 for one year after the person is convicted of hunting deer with the 
15.17 	aid or use of bait under section 97B.328.
15.18 	(c) The revocation period under paragraphs (a) and (b) doubles if the conviction is for 
15.19 	a deer that is a trophy deer scoring higher than 170 using the scoring method established 
15.20 	for wildlife restitution values adopted under section 97A.345.

15.21 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.031, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
15.22 		Subdivision 1.Permissible firearms and ammunition; big game and wolves. A person 
15.23 	may take big game and wolves with a firearm only if:
15.24 	(1) the any rifle, shotgun, and or handgun used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and with
15.25 	has centerfire ignition;
15.26 	(2) the firearm is loaded only with single projectile ammunition;
15.27 	(3) a projectile used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and has a soft point or is an 
15.28 	expanding bullet type;
15.29 	(4) the any muzzleloader used is incapable of being has the projectile loaded only at the 
15.30 	breech muzzle;
16.1 	(5) the any smooth-bore muzzleloader used is a caliber of at least .45 inches; and
16.2 	(6) the any rifled muzzleloader used is a caliber of at least .40 inches.

16.3 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.071, is amended to read:
16.4 	97B.071 CLOTHING AND GROUND BLIND REQUIREMENTS; BLAZE 
16.5 	ORANGE OR BLAZE PINK.
16.6 	(a) Except as provided in rules adopted under paragraph (c) (d), a person may not hunt 
16.7 	or trap during the open season where deer may be taken by firearms under applicable laws 
16.8 	and ordinances, unless the visible portion of the person's cap and outer clothing above the 
16.9 	waist, excluding sleeves and gloves, is blaze orange or blaze pink. Blaze orange or blaze 
16.10 	pink includes a camouflage pattern of at least 50 percent blaze orange or blaze pink within 
16.11 	each foot square. This section does not apply to migratory-waterfowl hunters on waters of 
16.12 	this state or in a stationary shooting location or to trappers on waters of this state.
16.13 	(b) Except as provided in rules adopted under paragraph (c) (d), and in addition to the 
16.14 	requirement in paragraph (a), a person may not take small game other than turkey, migratory 
16.15 	birds, raccoons, and predators, except while trapping, unless a visible portion of at least one 
16.16 	article of the person's clothing above the waist is blaze orange or blaze pink. This paragraph 
16.17 	does not apply to a person when in a stationary location while hunting deer by archery or 
16.18 	when hunting small game by falconry.
16.19 	(c)  A person in a fabric or synthetic ground blind on public land must have:
16.20 	(1) a blaze orange or blaze pink safety covering on the top of the blind that is visible for 
16.21 	360 degrees around the blind; or
16.22 	(2) at least 144 square inches of blaze orange or blaze pink material on each side of the 
16.23 	blind.
16.24 	(c) (d) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe an alternative color in cases where 
16.25 	paragraph (a) or (b) would violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, Public 
16.26 	Law 103-141.
16.27 	(d) (e) A violation of paragraph (b) shall does not result in a penalty, but is punishable 
16.28 	only by a safety warning.

16.29 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.301, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
16.30 		Subd. 2.Limit of one deer.  A person may obtain one regular firearms season deer 
16.31 	license, one muzzleloader season deer license, and one archery season deer license in the 
17.1 	same license year, but may not tag take more than one deer except as provided in subdivisions 
17.2 	3 and 4.

17.3 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.301, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
17.4 		Subd. 6.Residents or nonresidents under age 18; taking either-sex deer. A resident 
17.5 	or nonresident under the age of 18 may take a deer of either sex except in those antlerless 
17.6 	permit areas and seasons where no antlerless permits are offered. In antlerless permit areas 
17.7 	where no antlerless permits are offered, the commissioner may provide a limited number 
17.8 	of youth either sex permits to residents or nonresidents under age 18, under the procedures 
17.9 	provided in section 97B.305, and may give preference to residents or nonresidents under 
17.10 	the age of 18 that have not previously been selected. This subdivision does not authorize 
17.11 	the taking of an antlerless a deer by another member of a party under subdivision 3.

17.12 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.318, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
17.13 		Subdivision 1.Shotgun use area. During the regular any firearms season in the shotgun 
17.14 	use area, only legal shotguns loaded with single-slug shotgun shells, legal muzzle-loading 
17.15 	long guns, and legal handguns may be used for taking deer. Legal shotguns include those 
17.16 	with rifled barrels. The shotgun use area is that portion of the state lying within the following 
17.17 	described boundary: Beginning on the west boundary of the state at the northern boundary 
17.18 	of Clay County; thence along the northern boundary of Clay County to State Trunk Highway 
17.19 	(STH) 32; thence along STH 32 to STH 34; thence along STH 34 to Interstate Highway 94 
17.20 	(I-94); thence along I-94 to County State-Aid Highway (CSAH) 40, Douglas County; thence 
17.21 	along CSAH 40 to CSAH 82, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 82 to CSAH 22, Douglas 
17.22 	County; thence along CSAH 22 to CSAH 6, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 6 to 
17.23 	CSAH 14, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 14 to STH 29; thence along STH 29 to 
17.24 	CSAH 46, Otter Tail County; thence along CSAH 46, Otter Tail County, to CSAH 22, Todd 
17.25 	County; thence along CSAH 22 to U.S. Highway 71; thence along U.S. Highway 71 to STH 
17.26 	27; thence along STH 27 to the Mississippi River; thence along the east bank of the 
17.27 	Mississippi River to STH 23; thence along STH 23 to STH 95; thence along STH 95 to 
17.28 	U.S. Highway 8; thence along U.S. Highway 8 to the eastern boundary of the state; thence 
17.29 	along the east, south, and west boundaries of the state to the point of beginning.

18.1 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.668, is amended to read:
18.2 	97B.668 GAME BIRDS ANIMALS CAUSING DAMAGE.
18.3 		Subdivision 1.Game birds causing damage. Notwithstanding sections 97B.091 and 
18.4 	97B.805, subdivisions 1 and 2, a person or agent of that person on lands and nonpublic 
18.5 	waters owned or operated by the person may nonlethally scare, haze, chase, or harass game 
18.6 	birds that are causing property damage or to protect a disease risk at any time or place that 
18.7 	a hunting season for the game birds is not open. This section does not apply to public waters 
18.8 	as defined under section 103G.005, subdivision 15. This section does not apply to migratory 
18.9 	waterfowl on nests and other federally protected game birds on nests, except ducks and 
18.10 	geese on nests when a permit is obtained under section 97A.401.
18.11 		Subd. 2.Deer and elk causing damage. (a) Notwithstanding section 97B.091, a property 
18.12 	owner, the property owner's immediate family member, or an agent of the property owner 
18.13 	may nonlethally scare, haze, chase, or harass deer or elk that are causing damage to 
18.14 	agricultural crops that are propagated under generally accepted agricultural practices.
18.15 	(b) Paragraph (a) applies only:
18.16 	(1) in the immediate area of the crop damage; and
18.17 	(2) during the closed season for taking deer or elk.
18.18 	(c) Paragraph (a) does not allow:
18.19 	(1) using poisons;
18.20 	(2) using dogs;
18.21 	(3) conduct that drives a deer or elk to the point of exhaustion;
18.22 	(4) activities that require a permit under section 97A.401; or
18.23 	(5) conduct that causes the death of or that is likely to cause the death of a deer or elk.
18.24 	(d) A property owner or the owner's agent must report the death of a deer or elk to staff 
18.25 	in the Division of Fish and Wildlife within 24 hours of the death if the death resulted from 
18.26 	actions taken under paragraph (a).

18.27 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.041, is amended to read:
18.28 	97C.041 COMMISSIONER MAY REMOVE ROUGH FISH AND CATFISH.
18.29 	The commissioner may take rough fish, lake whitefish, and rainbow smelt with seines, 
18.30 	nets, and other devices. The commissioner may also take catfish with seines, nets, and other 
19.1 	devices on the Minnesota-Wisconsin boundary waters. The commissioner may hire or 
19.2 	contract persons, or issue permits, to take the fish. The commissioner shall prescribe the 
19.3 	manner of taking and disposal. The commissioner may award a contract under this section 
19.4 	without competitive bidding. Before establishing the contractor's compensation, the 
19.5 	commissioner must consider the qualifications of the contractor, including the contractor's 
19.6 	equipment, knowledge of the waters, and ability to perform the work.

19.7 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.315, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
19.8 		Subdivision 1.Lines. An angler may not use more than one line, except that:
19.9 	(1) two lines may be used to take fish through the ice; and
19.10 	(2) the commissioner may, by rule, authorize the use of two lines in areas designated by 
19.11 	the commissioner in Lake Superior.; and
19.12 	(3) two lines may be used in the Minnesota River downstream of the Granite Falls Dam 
19.13 	and in the Mississippi River downstream of St. Anthony Falls.

19.14 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.345, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
19.15 		Subdivision 1.When use prohibited. Except as specifically authorized, a person may 
19.16 	not take fish with a spear from the third Monday in February to the Friday before the last 
19.17 	Saturday in April and may not take fish with a fish trap, net, dip net, seine, or other device 
19.18 	capable of taking fish from the third Monday in February to through April 30.

19.19 	Sec. 34. [97C.348] FELT-SOLED WADERS.
19.20 	Using felt-soled waders is prohibited in waters of the state. For purposes of this section 
19.21 	"felt-soled waders" means boots or shoes that have water-absorbing material affixed to the 
19.22 	soles or bottoms.

19.23 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.371, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
19.24 		Subdivision 1.Species allowed. Only rough fish, catfish, lake whitefish, cisco (tulibee), 
19.25 	and northern pike may be taken by spearing.

19.26 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.371, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
19.27 		Subd. 2.Dark houses required for certain species. Catfish, lake whitefish, cisco 
19.28 	(tulibee), and northern pike may be speared only from dark houses.

20.1 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.371, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
20.2 		Subd. 4.Open season. The open season for spearing through the ice is November 15 
20.3 	to through the last Sunday in February.

20.4 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.395, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
20.5 		Subdivision 1.Dates for certain species. (a) The open seasons to take fish by angling 
20.6 	are as follows:
20.7 	(1) for walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, and smallmouth 
20.8 	bass, the Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to through
20.9 	the last Sunday in February;
20.10 	(2) for lake trout, from January 1 to through October 31;
20.11 	(3) for the winter season for lake trout, brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and 
20.12 	splake on all lakes located outside or partially within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, 
20.13 	from January 15 to through March 31;
20.14 	(4) for the winter season for lake trout, brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and 
20.15 	splake on all lakes located entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, from January 
20.16 	1 to through March 31;
20.17 	(5) for brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and splake, between January 1 to through
20.18 	October 31 as prescribed by the commissioner by rule except as provided in section 97C.415, 
20.19 	subdivision 2; and
20.20 	(6) for salmon, as prescribed by the commissioner by rule.
20.21 	(b) The commissioner shall close the season in areas of the state where fish are spawning 
20.22 	and closing the season will protect the resource.

20.23 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.601, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
20.24 		Subdivision 1.Season. The open season for frogs is May 16 to through March 31. The 
20.25 	commissioner may, by rule, establish closed seasons in specified areas.

20.26 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.836, is amended to read:
20.27 	97C.836 LAKE SUPERIOR LAKE TROUT; EXPANDED ASSESSMENT 
20.28 	HARVEST.
20.29 	The commissioner shall provide for taking of lake trout by licensed commercial operators 
20.30 	in Lake Superior management zones MN-3 and MN-2 for expanded assessment and sale. 
21.1 	The commissioner shall authorize expanded assessment taking and sale of lake trout in Lake 
21.2 	Superior management zone MN-3 beginning annually in 2007 and zone MN-2 beginning 
21.3 	annually in 2010. Total assessment taking and sale may not exceed 3,000 lake trout in zone 
21.4 	MN-3 and 2,000 lake trout in zone MN-2 and may be reduced when necessary to protect 
21.5 	the lake trout population or to manage the effects of invasive species or fish disease. Taking 
21.6 	lake trout for expanded assessment and sale shall be allowed from June 1 to through
21.7 	September 30, but may end earlier in the respective zones if the quotas are reached. The 
21.8 	quotas must be reassessed at the expiration of the current ten-year Fisheries Management 
21.9 	Plan for the Minnesota Waters of Lake Superior.

21.10 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.005, is amended by adding a subdivision 
21.11 	to read:
21.12 		Subd. 9c.Ecosystem harm. "Ecosystem harm" means to change the biological 
21.13 	community and ecology in a manner that results in loss of ecological structure or function.

21.14 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.005, is amended by adding a subdivision 
21.15 	to read:
21.16 		Subd. 13b.Negative impact to surface waters. "Negative impact to surface waters" 
21.17 	means a change in hydrology sufficient to cause aquatic ecosystem harm or alter riparian 
21.18 	uses long term.

21.19 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.005, is amended by adding a subdivision 
21.20 	to read:
21.21 		Subd. 15i.Sustainable diversion limit. "Sustainable diversion limit" means a maximum 
21.22 	amount of water that can be removed directly or indirectly from a surface water body in a 
21.23 	defined geographic area on a monthly or annual basis without causing a negative impact to 
21.24 	the surface water body.

21.25 	Sec. 44. [103G.134] ORDERS AND INVESTIGATIONS.
21.26 	(a) The commissioner has the following powers and duties when acting pursuant to the 
21.27 	enforcement provisions of this chapter:
21.28 	(1) to adopt, issue, reissue, modify, deny, revoke, enter into, or enforce reasonable orders, 
21.29 	schedules of compliance, and stipulation agreements;
21.30 	(2) to issue notices of violation;
22.1 	(3) to require a person holding a permit issued under this chapter or otherwise impacting 
22.2 	the public waters of the state without a permit issued under this chapter to:
22.3 	(i) make reports;
22.4 	(ii) install, use, and maintain monitoring equipment or methods;
22.5 	(iii) perform tests according to methods, at locations, at intervals, and in a manner as 
22.6 	the commissioner prescribes; and
22.7 	(iv) provide other information as the commissioner may reasonably require; and
22.8 	(4) to conduct investigations; issue notices, public and otherwise; and order hearings as 
22.9 	the commissioner deems necessary or advisable to discharge duties under this chapter, 
22.10 	including but not limited to issuing permits and authorizing an employee or agent appointed 
22.11 	by the commissioner to conduct the investigations and other authorities cited in this section.

22.12 	Sec. 45. [103G.146] DUTY OF CANDOR.
22.13 	(a) A person must not knowingly:
22.14 	(1) make a false statement of fact or fail to correct a false statement of material fact 
22.15 	regarding any matter pertaining to this chapter;
22.16 	(2) fail to disclose information that the person knows is necessary for the commissioner 
22.17 	to make an informed decision under this chapter; or
22.18 	(3) offer information that the person knows to be false.
22.19 	(b) If a person has offered material information to the commissioner and the person 
22.20 	comes to know the information is false, the person must take reasonable remedial measures 
22.21 	to provide the accurate information.

22.22 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.287, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
22.23 		Subd. 2.Relationship to surface water resources. Groundwater appropriations that 
22.24 	will have negative impacts to surface waters are subject to applicable provisions in section 
22.25 	103G.285 may be authorized only if they avoid known negative impacts to surface waters.
22.26 	If the commissioner determines that groundwater appropriations are having a negative 
22.27 	impact to surface waters, the commissioner may use a sustainable diversion limit or other 
22.28 	relevant method, tools, or information to implement measures so that groundwater 
22.29 	appropriations do not negatively impact the surface waters.

23.1 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.299, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
23.2 		Subdivision 1.Authority to issue administrative penalty orders. (a) As provided in 
23.3 	paragraph (b), the commissioner may issue an order requiring violations to be corrected 
23.4 	and administratively assessing monetary penalties for violations of sections 103G.271 and 
23.5 	103G.275, and any rules adopted under those sections.
23.6 	(b) An order under this section may be issued to a person for water appropriation activities 
23.7 	without a required permit or for violating the terms of a required permit.
23.8 	(c) The order must be issued as provided in this section and in accordance with the plan 
23.9 	prepared under subdivision 12.

23.10 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.299, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
23.11 		Subd. 2.Amount of penalty; considerations. (a) The commissioner may issue orders 
23.12 	assessing administrative penalties based on potential for harm and deviation from compliance. 
23.13 	For a violation that presents: up to $40,000.
23.14 	(1) a minor potential for harm and deviation from compliance, the penalty will be no 
23.15 	more than $1,000;
23.16 	(2) a moderate potential for harm and deviation from compliance, the penalty will be 
23.17 	no more than $10,000; and
23.18 	(3) a severe potential for harm and deviation from compliance, the penalty will be no 
23.19 	more than $20,000.
23.20 	(b) In determining the amount of a penalty the commissioner may consider:
23.21 	(1) the gravity of the violation, including potential for, or real, damage to the public 
23.22 	interest or natural resources of the state;
23.23 	(2) the history of past violations;
23.24 	(3) the number of violations;
23.25 	(4) the economic benefit gained by the person by allowing or committing the violation 
23.26 	based on data from local or state bureaus or educational institutions; and
23.27 	(5) other factors as justice may require, if the commissioner specifically identifies the 
23.28 	additional factors in the commissioner's order.
23.29 	(c) For a violation after an initial violation, including a continuation of the initial violation, 
23.30 	the commissioner must, in determining the amount of a penalty, consider the factors in 
23.31 	paragraph (b) and the:
24.1 	(1) similarity of the most recent previous violation and the violation to be penalized;
24.2 	(2) time elapsed since the last violation;
24.3 	(3) number of previous violations; and
24.4 	(4) response of the person to the most recent previous violation identified.

24.5 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.299, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
24.6 		Subd. 5.Penalty. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), if the commissioner determines 
24.7 	that the violation has been corrected or appropriate steps have been taken to correct the 
24.8 	action, the penalty must be forgiven. Unless the person requests review of the order under 
24.9 	subdivision 6 or 7 before the penalty is due, the penalty in the order is due and payable:
24.10 	(1) on the 31st day after the order was received, if the person subject to the order fails 
24.11 	to provide information to the commissioner showing that the violation has been corrected 
24.12 	or that appropriate steps have been taken toward correcting the violation; or
24.13 	(2) on the 20th day after the person receives the commissioner's determination under 
24.14 	subdivision 4, paragraph (c), if the person subject to the order has provided information to 
24.15 	the commissioner that the commissioner determines is not sufficient to show that the violation 
24.16 	has been corrected or that appropriate steps have been taken toward correcting the violation.
24.17 	(b) For repeated or serious violations, the commissioner may issue an order with a penalty 
24.18 	that is not forgiven after the corrective action is taken. The penalty is due by 31 days after 
24.19 	the order was is received, unless review of the order under subdivision 6 or 7 has been is
24.20 	sought.
24.21 	(c) Interest at the rate established in section 549.09 begins to accrue on penalties under 
24.22 	this subdivision on the 31st day after the order with the penalty was is received.

24.23 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.299, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
24.24 		Subd. 10.Cumulative remedy. The authority of the commissioner to issue a corrective 
24.25 	order assessing penalties is in addition to other remedies available under statutory or common 
24.26 	law, except that the state may not seek civil penalties under any other provision of law for 
24.27 	the violations covered by the administrative penalty order. The payment of a penalty does 
24.28 	not preclude the use of other enforcement provisions, under which penalties are not assessed,
24.29 	in connection with the violation for which the penalty was assessed.

25.1 	Sec. 51. [103G.2991] PENALTIES; ENFORCEMENT.
25.2 		Subdivision 1.Civil penalties. (a) The commissioner, according to section 103G.134, 
25.3 	may issue a notice to a person who violates:
25.4 	(1) this chapter;
25.5 	(2) a permit issued under this chapter or a term or condition of a permit issued under 
25.6 	this chapter;
25.7 	(3) a duty under this chapter to permit an inspection, entry, or monitoring activity or a 
25.8 	duty under this chapter to carry out an inspection or monitoring activity;
25.9 	(4) a rule adopted under this chapter;
25.10 	(5) a stipulation agreement, variance, or schedule of compliance entered into under this 
25.11 	chapter; or
25.12 	(6) an order issued by the commissioner under this chapter.
25.13 	(b) A person issued a notice forfeits and must pay to the state a penalty, in an amount 
25.14 	to be determined by the district court, of not more than $10,000 per day of violation.
25.15 	(c) In the discretion of the district court, a defendant under this section may be required 
25.16 	to:
25.17 	(1) forfeit and pay to the state a sum that adequately compensates the state for the 
25.18 	reasonable value of restoration, monitoring, and other expenses directly resulting from the 
25.19 	unauthorized use of or damage to natural resources of the state; and
25.20 	(2) forfeit and pay to the state an additional sum to constitute just compensation for any 
25.21 	damage, loss, or destruction of the state's natural resources and for other actual damages to 
25.22 	the state caused by an unauthorized use of natural resources of the state.
25.23 	(d) As a defense to damages assessed under paragraph (c), a defendant may prove that 
25.24 	the violation was caused solely by:
25.25 	(1) an act of God;
25.26 	(2) an act of war;
25.27 	(3) negligence on the part of the state;
25.28 	(4) an act or failure to act that constitutes sabotage or vandalism; or
25.29 	(5) any combination of clauses (1) to (5).
26.1 	(e) The civil penalties and damages provided for in this subdivision may be recovered 
26.2 	by a civil action brought by the attorney general in the name of the state in Ramsey County 
26.3 	District Court.  Civil penalties and damages provided for in this subdivision may be resolved 
26.4 	by the commissioner through a negotiated stipulation agreement according to the authority 
26.5 	granted to the commissioner in section 103G.134.
26.6 		Subd. 2.Enforcement. This chapter and rules, standards, orders, stipulation agreements, 
26.7 	schedules of compliance, and permits adopted or issued by the commissioner under this 
26.8 	chapter or any other law for preventing, controlling, or abating damage to natural resources 
26.9 	may be enforced by one or more of the following:
26.10 	(1) criminal prosecution;
26.11 	(2) action to recover civil penalties;
26.12 	(3) injunction;
26.13 	(4) action to compel performance; or
26.14 	(5) other appropriate action according to this chapter.
26.15 		Subd. 3.Injunctions. A violation of this chapter or rules, standards, orders, stipulation 
26.16 	agreements, variances, schedules of compliance, and permits adopted or issued under this 
26.17 	chapter constitutes a public nuisance and may be enjoined as provided by law in an action, 
26.18 	in the name of the state, brought by the attorney general.
26.19 		Subd. 4.Actions to compel performance. (a) In an action to compel performance of 
26.20 	an order issued by the commissioner for any purpose related to preventing, controlling, or 
26.21 	abating damage to natural resources under this chapter, the court may require a defendant 
26.22 	adjudged responsible to do and perform any and all acts set forth in the commissioner's 
26.23 	order and all things within the defendant's power that are reasonably necessary to accomplish 
26.24 	the purposes of the order.
26.25 	(b) If a municipality or its governing or managing body or any of its officers is a 
26.26 	defendant, the court may require the municipality to exercise its powers, without regard to 
26.27 	any limitation of a requirement for an election or referendum imposed thereon by law and 
26.28 	without restricting the powers of the commissioner, to do any or all of the following, without 
26.29 	limiting the generality hereof:
26.30 	(1) levy taxes or special assessments;
26.31 	(2) prescribe service or use charges;
26.32 	(3) borrow money;
27.1 	(4) issue bonds;
27.2 	(5) employ assistance;
27.3 	(6) acquire real or personal property;
27.4 	(7) let contracts;
27.5 	(8) otherwise provide for doing work or constructing, installing, maintaining, or operating 
27.6 	facilities; and
27.7 	(9) do all acts and things reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of the 
27.8 	commissioner's order.
27.9 	(c) The court must grant a municipality under paragraph (b) the opportunity to determine 
27.10 	the appropriate financial alternatives to be used to comply with the court-imposed 
27.11 	requirements.
27.12 	(d) An action brought under this subdivision must be venued in Ramsey County District 
27.13 	Court.

27.14 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.301, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
27.15 		Subd. 6.Filing application. An application for a permit must be filed with the 
27.16 	commissioner and. If the proposed activity for which the permit is requested is within a 
27.17 	municipality, or is within or affects a watershed district or a soil and water conservation 
27.18 	district, or is within the boundaries of a reservation or Tribal community of a federally 
27.19 	recognized Indian Tribe in Minnesota, a copy of the application with maps, plans, and 
27.20 	specifications must be served on the mayor of the municipality, the secretary of the board 
27.21 	of managers of the watershed district, and the secretary of the board of supervisors of the 
27.22 	soil and water conservation district., or the Tribal chair of the federally recognized Indian 
27.23 	Tribe, as applicable. For purposes of this section, "federally recognized Indian Tribe" means 
27.24 	the Minnesota Tribal governments listed in section 10.65, subdivision 2.

27.25 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.301, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
27.26 		Subd. 7.Recommendation of local units of government and federally recognized 
27.27 	Indian Tribes. (a) If the proposed activity for which the permit is requested is within a 
27.28 	municipality, or is within or affects a watershed district or a soil and water conservation 
27.29 	district, the commissioner may obtain a written recommendation of the managers of the 
27.30 	district and the board of supervisors of the soil and water conservation district or the mayor 
27.31 	of the municipality before issuing or denying the permit.
28.1 	(b) The managers, supervisors, or mayor must file a recommendation within 30 days 
28.2 	after receiving of a copy of the application for permit.
28.3 	(c) If the proposed activity for which the permit is requested is within the boundaries of 
28.4 	a reservation or Tribal community of a federally recognized Indian Tribe in Minnesota, the 
28.5 	federally recognized Indian Tribe may:
28.6 	(1) submit recommendations to the commissioner within 30 days of receiving the 
28.7 	application; or
28.8 	(2) request Tribal consultation according to section 10.65 within 30 days of receiving 
28.9 	the application.
28.10 	(d) If Tribal consultation is requested under paragraph (c), clause (2), a permit application 
28.11 	is not complete until after the consultation occurs or 90 days after the request for consultation 
28.12 	is made, whichever is sooner.

28.13 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115.061, is amended to read:
28.14 	115.061 DUTY TO NOTIFY; AVOIDING WATER POLLUTION.
28.15 	(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), it is the duty of every person to notify the agency 
28.16 	immediately of the discharge, accidental or otherwise, of any substance or material under 
28.17 	its control which, if not recovered, may cause pollution of waters of the state, and the 
28.18 	responsible person shall recover as rapidly and as thoroughly as possible such substance or 
28.19 	material and take immediately such other action as may be reasonably possible to minimize 
28.20 	or abate pollution of waters of the state caused thereby.
28.21 	(b) Notification is not required under paragraph (a) for a discharge of five gallons or 
28.22 	less of petroleum, as defined in section 115C.02, subdivision 10. This paragraph does not 
28.23 	affect the other requirements of paragraph (a).
28.24 	(c) Promptly after notifying the agency of a discharge under paragraph (a), a publicly 
28.25 	owned treatment works or a publicly or privately owned domestic sewer system owner must 
28.26 	provide notice to the potentially impacted public and to any downstream drinking water 
28.27 	facility that may be impacted by the discharge. Notice to the public and to any drinking 
28.28 	water facility must be made using the most efficient communications system available to 
28.29 	the facility owner such as in person, telephone call, radio, social media, web page, or another 
28.30 	expedited form. In addition, signage must be posted at all impacted public use areas within 
28.31 	the same jurisdiction or notification must be provided to the entity that has jurisdiction over 
28.32 	any impacted public use areas. A notice under this paragraph must include the date and time 
29.1 	of the discharge, a description of the material released, a warning of the potential public 
29.2 	health risk, and the permittee's contact information.
29.3 	(d) The agency must provide guidance that includes but is not limited to methods and 
29.4 	protocols for providing timely notice under this section.

29.5 	Sec. 55. WATER USE PERMITS; CITY OF LAKE ELMO.
 29.6 	(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner of natural resources 
29.7 	may:
29.8 	(1) issue permits necessary for the city of Lake Elmo to construct and operate a new 
29.9 	municipal water supply well; and
29.10 	(2) amend existing water use permits issued to the city of Lake Elmo to increase the 
29.11 	authorized volume of water that may be appropriated under the permits to a level consistent 
29.12 	with the amount anticipated to be needed each year according to a water supply plan approved 
29.13 	by the commissioner under Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.291.
29.14 	(b) This section expires June 30, 2027.

29.15 	Sec. 56. WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA WATER-USE PERMIT MODIFICATION 
29.16 	MORATORIUM.
 29.17 	(a) Except as provided under paragraph (b), the commissioner of natural resources may 
29.18 	not reduce the total maximum amount of groundwater use permitted under a White Bear 
29.19 	Lake area water-use permit issued or amended before January 1, 2023.
29.20 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner of natural resources may reduce 
29.21 	the authorized amount of groundwater use permitted or impose additional restrictions or 
29.22 	conditions if necessary to address emergency preparedness or other public health and safety 
29.23 	issues as determined by the commissioner.
29.24 	(c) For the purposes of this section, "White Bear Lake area water-use permit" means a 
29.25 	water-use permit authorizing the use of groundwater from one or more wells located wholly 
29.26 	or partially within a five-mile radius of White Bear Lake.
29.27 	(d) This section expires June 30, 2027.

29.28 	Sec. 57. REGISTRATION DECAL FORMAT TRANSITION.
 29.29 	Separately displaying registration numbers is not required when a larger-format 
29.30 	registration decal as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.82, subdivision 2, is 
30.1 	displayed according to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.82, subdivision 3b. Snowmobiles 
30.2 	displaying valid but older, smaller-format registration decals must display the separate 
30.3 	registration numbers. Persons may obtain duplicate registration decals in the new, larger 
30.4 	format, when available, without being required to display the separate registration numbers.

30.5 	Sec. 58. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 30.6 	The revisor of statutes must renumber the subdivisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 
30.7 	103G.005, listed in column A to the references listed in column B. The revisor must make 
30.8 	necessary cross-reference changes in Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules consistent 
30.9 	with the renumbering:

30.10		Column A
	Column B
	
30.11		subdivision 9b
	subdivision 9d
	
30.12		subdivision 13a
	subdivision 13c
	
30.13		subdivision 15h
	subdivision 15j

30.14 	Sec. 59. REPEALER.
 30.15 	(a) Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.055, is repealed.
30.16 	(b) Minnesota Rules, parts 6100.5000, subparts 3, 4, and 5; and 6100.5700, subpart 4,
30.17 	are repealed.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S2904-1 

97C.055 REMOVING DEAD FISH.
The commissioner shall remove and dispose of dead fish that accumulate in or upon the shores of public waters in quantities that are a public nuisance or are detrimental to game fish. 

6100.5000SNOWMOBILE REGISTRATION AND DISPLAY OF NUMBERS. Subp. 3.
[Repealed, L 2023 c 60 art 4 s 112] 

Subp. 4.
[Repealed, L 2023 c 60 art 4 s 112] 

Subp. 5.
[Repealed, L 2023 c 60 art 4 s 112] 

6100.5700REQUIRED EQUIPMENT. Subp. 4.
[Repealed, L 2023 c 60 art 4 s 112]