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; appropriating money; requiring 
1.5 	rulemaking;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 13.7931, by adding a 
1.6 	subdivision; 14.386; 16A.125, subdivision 5; 17.4983, subdivision 2; 17.4984, 
1.7 	subdivision 2; 17.4988, subdivision 4; 17.4992, subdivisions 1, 3; 17.4996; 41A.02, 
1.8 	subdivision 6; 84.027, subdivisions 12, 15; 84.0874; 84.0895, subdivisions 1, 8; 
1.9 	84.152, subdivision 3; 84.788, subdivision 11; 84.798, subdivision 10; 84.8035, 
1.10 	subdivision 1; 84.82, subdivisions 2a, 11; 84.8205; 84.83, subdivision 2; 84.922, 
1.11 	subdivision 12; 84.96, subdivisions 2, 3, 5; 84B.061; 85.41, subdivisions 1, 4; 
1.12 	85.45, subdivision 1; 85.46, subdivision 3; 86B.415, subdivision 11; 88.82; 89.002, 
1.13 	subdivision 3; 89.36, subdivision 1; 89.37, subdivision 3; 93.0015, subdivision 3; 
1.14 	97A.015, subdivisions 3a, 3b, 39, 43, by adding subdivisions; 97A.055, subdivision 
1.15 	4b; 97A.075, subdivision 2; 97A.215, by adding a subdivision; 97A.255, 
1.16 	subdivision 5; 97A.341, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 97A.345; 97A.405, subdivisions 3, 
1.17 	4, 4a; 97A.420, as amended; 97A.421, subdivision 2; 97A.425, subdivision 4, by 
1.18 	adding a subdivision; 97A.445, by adding a subdivision; 97A.473, subdivisions 
1.19 	1, 3, 4, 5, 5a; 97A.474, subdivision 3; 97A.475, subdivision 39; 97A.481; 97A.485, 
1.20 	subdivision 6; 97A.505, subdivision 8; 97A.535, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 4; 97A.551, 
1.21 	subdivisions 2, 6; 97B.022, subdivisions 2, 3; 97B.055, subdivision 2; 97B.106; 
1.22 	97B.303; 97B.318, subdivision 1; 97B.401; 97B.603; 97B.716, subdivision 2; 
1.23 	97B.721; 97C.001, subdivision 2; 97C.005, subdivision 2; 97C.025; 97C.035, 
1.24 	subdivision 3; 97C.045; 97C.081, subdivision 3a; 97C.087; 97C.211, subdivision 
1.25 	5; 97C.301, subdivision 2a; 97C.355, subdivision 2; 97C.375; 97C.376, 
1.26 	subdivisions 1, 5; 97C.381; 97C.385; 97C.391, subdivision 1; 97C.395, as amended; 
1.27 	97C.411; 97C.505, subdivision 8; 97C.801, subdivision 2; 97C.805, subdivisions 
1.28 	1, 4; 97C.811, subdivision 2; 97C.831, subdivision 1; 97C.835, subdivisions 2, 3; 
1.29 	97C.865, subdivision 1; 103B.101, subdivision 13; 103C.005; 103C.221; 103C.331, 
1.30 	subdivisions 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, by adding subdivisions; 
1.31 	103D.011, subdivision 10; 103D.201, subdivision 2; 103D.205, subdivision 4; 
1.32 	103D.251, subdivisions 5, 6; 103D.255; 103D.261, subdivisions 1, 2; 103D.271, 
1.33 	subdivision 7; 103D.301, subdivisions 1, 3; 103D.305, subdivisions 2, 5; 103D.311, 
1.34 	subdivision 4; 103D.315, subdivisions 9, 10; 103D.321, subdivision 1; 103D.331, 
1.35 	subdivision 2; 103D.335, subdivision 11; 103D.341, subdivision 1; 103D.345, 
1.36 	subdivision 4; 103D.355, subdivision 1; 103D.401; 103D.405, subdivision 1; 
1.37 	103D.535, subdivision 3; 103D.701; 103D.705, subdivision 1, by adding a 
1.38 	subdivision; 103D.711; 103D.715, subdivision 1; 103D.729, subdivisions 1, 2; 
2.1 	103D.731; 103D.745, subdivision 3; 103D.805; 103D.811, subdivision 3; 
2.2 	103D.901, subdivision 2; 103E.729, subdivision 9; 103F.211, subdivision 1; 
2.3 	103F.48, subdivision 1; 103F.511, by adding subdivisions; 103F.515; 103F.535, 
2.4 	subdivision 5; 103G.005, subdivisions 14d, 17b; 103G.222, subdivision 1; 
2.5 	103G.2241, subdivisions 1, 2, 6, 9; 103G.2242, subdivisions 2, 2a, 3; 103G.315, 
2.6 	subdivision 15; 115.55, by adding a subdivision; 115A.5502; 116.0711, subdivision 
2.7 	1; 116D.02, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections 84.83, 
2.8 	subdivision 3; 97A.405, subdivision 2; 97B.037; 97B.071; 97C.041; 97C.371, 
2.9 	subdivision 1; 103G.005, subdivision 19; 103G.2242, subdivision 1; 103G.301, 
2.10 	subdivision 2; 115.03, subdivision 1; Laws 2023, chapter 60, article 4, section 
2.11 	109; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 11A; 84; 103D; 
2.12 	103F; 115; 115A; 116; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 97A.015, 
2.13 	subdivision 27a; 97A.485, subdivision 13; 103A.206; 103D.315, subdivision 4; 
2.14 	103D.405, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 103D.411; 103D.601; 103D.605, subdivisions 
2.15 	1, 2, 3, 4; 103D.611; 103F.511, subdivision 8b; 103F.950; 115A.5501; Minnesota 
2.16 	Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 103D.605, subdivision 5; Minnesota Rules, 
2.17 	parts 8400.3000; 8400.3030; 8400.3110; 8400.3210; 8400.3260; 8400.3300; 
2.18 	8400.3400; 8400.3460; 8400.3600; 8400.3610; 8400.3630; 8400.3700; 8400.3730; 
2.19 	8400.3800; 8400.3830; 8400.3930.
2.20 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

2.21 	ARTICLE 1
2.22 	ELECTRONIC LICENSE SYSTEM

2.23 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 14.386, is amended to read:
2.24 	14.386 PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTING EXEMPT RULES; DURATION.
2.25 	(a) A rule adopted, amended, or repealed by an agency, under a statute enacted after 
2.26 	January 1, 1997, authorizing or requiring rules to be adopted but excluded from the 
2.27 	rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 or from the definition of a rule, has the force and effect 
2.28 	of law only if:
2.29 	(1) the revisor of statutes approves the form of the rule by certificate;
2.30 	(2) the person authorized to adopt the rule on behalf of the agency signs an order adopting 
2.31 	the rule;
2.32 	(3) the Office of Administrative Hearings approves the rule as to its legality within 14 
2.33 	days after the agency submits it for approval and files four paper copies or an electronic 
2.34 	copy of the adopted rule with the revisor's certificate in the Office of the Secretary of State; 
2.35 	and
2.36 	(4) a copy is published by the agency in the State Register.
2.37 	The secretary of state shall forward one copy of the rule to the governor.
3.1 	A statute enacted after January 1, 1997, authorizing or requiring rules to be adopted but 
3.2 	excluded from the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 or from the definition of a rule does 
3.3 	not excuse compliance with this section unless it makes specific reference to this section.
3.4 	(b) A rule adopted under this section is effective for a period of two years from the date 
3.5 	of publication of the rule in the State Register. The authority for the rule expires at the end 
3.6 	of this two-year period.
3.7 	(c) The chief administrative law judge shall adopt rules relating to the rule approval 
3.8 	duties imposed by this section and section 14.388, including rules establishing standards 
3.9 	for review.
3.10 	(d) This section does not apply to:
3.11 	(1) any group or rule listed in section 14.03, subdivisions 1 and 3, except as otherwise 
3.12 	provided by law;
3.13 	(2) game and fish rules of the commissioner of natural resources adopted under section 
3.14 	84.027, subdivision 13, or sections 97A.0451 to 97A.0459;
3.15 	(3) experimental and special management waters designated by the commissioner of 
3.16 	natural resources under sections 97C.001 and 97C.005;
3.17 	(4) game refuges designated by the commissioner of natural resources under section 
3.18 	97A.085; or
3.19 	(5) transaction fees established by the commissioner of natural resources for electronic 
3.20 	or telephone sales of licenses, stamps, permits, registrations, or transfers under section 
3.21 	84.027, subdivision 15, paragraph (a), clause (3) (2).
3.22 	(e) If a statute provides that a rule is exempt from chapter 14, and section 14.386 does 
3.23 	not apply to the rule, the rule has the force of law unless the context of the statute delegating 
3.24 	the rulemaking authority makes clear that the rule does not have force of law.

3.25 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.027, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
3.26 		Subd. 15.Electronic transactions. (a) The commissioner may receive an application 
3.27 	for, sell, and issue any license, stamp, permit, pass, sticker, gift card, safety training 
3.28 	certification, registration, or transfer under the jurisdiction of the commissioner by electronic 
3.29 	means, including by telephone. Notwithstanding section 97A.472, electronic and telephone 
3.30 	transactions may be made outside of the state. The commissioner may:
3.31 	(1) provide for the electronic transfer of funds generated by electronic transactions, 
3.32 	including by telephone;
4.1 	(2) assign an identification number to an applicant who purchases a hunting or fishing 
4.2 	license or recreational vehicle registration by electronic means, to serve as temporary 
4.3 	authorization to engage in the activity requiring a license or registration until the license or 
4.4 	registration is received or expires;
4.5 	(3) (2) charge and permit agents to charge a fee of individuals who make electronic 
4.6 	transactions and transactions by telephone or Internet, including issuing fees and an additional 
4.7 	transaction fee not to exceed $3.50;
4.8 	(4) (3) charge and permit agents to charge a convenience fee not to exceed three percent 
4.9 	of the cost of the license to individuals who use electronic bank cards for payment. An 
4.10 	electronic licensing system agent charging a fee of individuals making an electronic bank 
4.11 	card transaction in person must post a sign informing individuals of the fee. The sign must 
4.12 	be near the point of payment, clearly visible, include the amount of the fee, and state: 
4.13 	"License agents are allowed by state law to charge a fee not to exceed three percent of the 
4.14 	cost of state licenses to persons who use electronic bank cards for payment. The fee is not 
4.15 	required by state law.";
4.16 	(5) (4) establish, by written order, an electronic licensing system commission to be paid 
4.17 	by revenues generated from all sales made through the electronic licensing system. The 
4.18 	commissioner shall establish the commission in a manner that neither significantly 
4.19 	overrecovers nor underrecovers costs involved in providing the electronic licensing system; 
4.20 	and
4.21 	(6) (5) adopt rules to administer the provisions of this subdivision.
4.22 	(b) The fees established under paragraph (a), clauses (2) and (3) and (4), and the 
4.23 	commission established under paragraph (a), clause (5) (4), are not subject to the rulemaking 
4.24 	procedures of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.
4.25 	(c) Money received from fees and commissions collected under this subdivision, including 
4.26 	interest earned, is annually appropriated from the game and fish fund and the natural 
4.27 	resources fund to the commissioner for the cost of electronic licensing.
4.28 	(d) Game and fish licenses under chapters 97A, 97B, and 97C shall be available by 
4.29 	electronic transaction, regardless of whether all or any part of the biennial appropriation 
4.30 	law for the department has been enacted. If, by July 1 of an odd-numbered year, legislation 
4.31 	has not been enacted to appropriate money to the commissioner of management and budget 
4.32 	for central accounting, procurement, payroll, and human resources functions, amounts 
4.33 	necessary to operate those functions for the purpose of this paragraph are appropriated from 
4.34 	the general fund to the commissioner of management and budget. As necessary, the 
5.1 	commissioner may transfer a portion of this appropriation to other state agencies to support 
5.2 	carrying out these functions. Any subsequent appropriation to the commissioner of 
5.3 	management and budget for a biennium in which this section is applicable supersedes and 
5.4 	replaces the funding authorized in this paragraph.

5.5 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.0874, is amended to read:
5.6 	84.0874 ELECTRONIC LICENSING SYSTEM DATA.
5.7 	(a) The following data created, collected, stored, or maintained by the department for 
5.8 	purposes of obtaining a noncommercial game and fish license, cross-country-ski pass, horse 
5.9 	pass, or snowmobile trail sticker pass; registering a recreational motor vehicle; or any other 
5.10 	electronic licensing transaction are private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02, 
5.11 	subdivision 12: name, addresses, driver's license number, and date of birth. The data may 
5.12 	be disclosed for law enforcement purposes. The data, other than the driver's license number, 
5.13 	may be disclosed to a government entity and for natural resources management purposes, 
5.14 	including recruitment, retention, and training certification and verification.
5.15 	(b) Private data on individuals under paragraph (a) may be disclosed as follows:
5.16 	(1) for use by any government agency, including a court or law enforcement agency, in 
5.17 	carrying out its functions, or any private person or entity acting on behalf of a federal, state, 
5.18 	or local agency in carrying out its functions;
5.19 	(2) for use in connection with matters of vehicle or operator safety and theft, emissions, 
5.20 	product alterations, recalls or advisories, and performance monitoring;
5.21 	(3) for use in the normal course of business by a legitimate business or its agents, 
5.22 	employees, or contractors, in order to verify the accuracy of personal information submitted 
5.23 	by an individual. If the information as submitted is not correct or is no longer correct, correct 
5.24 	information may be obtained only for the purpose of preventing fraud by, pursuing legal 
5.25 	remedies against, or recovering on a debt or security interest against the individual. If the 
5.26 	person requesting access is acting as the agent of a lienholder, the requester must submit 
5.27 	proof of a contract with the lienholder;
5.28 	(4) for use in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitration 
5.29 	proceedings in any federal, state, or local court or agency or before any self-regulatory body, 
5.30 	including service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation, and the execution or 
5.31 	enforcement of judgments and orders, or pursuant to an order of a federal, state, or local 
5.32 	court, provided that the requester provides a copy of the court order;
6.1 	(5) for use by any insurer or insurance support organization, or by a self-insured entity, 
6.2 	or its agents, employees, or contractors, in connection with claims investigation activities 
6.3 	or antifraud activities. If the person requesting access is an agent of an insurance company, 
6.4 	the requester must provide the insurance company's name;
6.5 	(6) for use in providing notice to the owners of towed or impounded recreational vehicles 
6.6 	or watercraft. The person requesting access must provide the name, address, and telephone 
6.7 	number of the entity that requested that the recreational vehicle or watercraft be towed;
6.8 	(7) for use by any licensed private investigative agency or licensed security service for 
6.9 	any purpose permitted under this section, provided that the person provides a copy of a 
6.10 	valid license; or
6.11 	(8) where the use is related to the physical safety or security of operators, vehicles, 
6.12 	pedestrians, or property.
6.13 	The commissioner must not disclose data under this paragraph if the commissioner concludes 
6.14 	that the requester is likely to use the data for an improper purpose or other purpose not 
6.15 	authorized by this paragraph.

6.16 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.152, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
6.17 		Subd. 3.Application. (a) An application for a wild rice dealer's license must be made 
6.18 	under a written oath. The form of application for a wild rice dealer's license application 
6.19 	must include:
6.20 	(1) the amount of wild rice, whether raw or processed, bought or sold by the applicant 
6.21 	during the preceding calendar year;
6.22 	(2) the amount of wild rice the applicant estimates will be bought or sold under the 
6.23 	license; and
6.24 	(3) other pertinent information required by the commissioner.
6.25 	(b) The license fee must be paid in advance, based on the applicant's estimate. A license 
6.26 	may not be issued for a fee based on a lesser amount of wild rice than was bought or sold 
6.27 	by the applicant during the preceding calendar year.

6.28 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.788, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
6.29 		Subd. 11.Refunds. The commissioner may issue a refund on a registration, not including 
6.30 	any issuing fees paid under subdivision 3, paragraph (e), or section 84.027, subdivision 15, 
7.1 	paragraph (a), clause (3) (2), if the refund request is received within 12 months of the original 
7.2 	registration and:
7.3 	(1) the off-highway motorcycle was registered incorrectly by the commissioner or the 
7.4 	deputy registrar; or
7.5 	(2) the off-highway motorcycle was registered twice, once by the dealer and once by 
7.6 	the customer.

7.7 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.798, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
7.8 		Subd. 10.Refunds. The commissioner may issue a refund on a registration, not including 
7.9 	any issuing fees paid under subdivision 3, paragraph (b), or section 84.027, subdivision 15, 
7.10 	paragraph (a), clause (3) (2), if the refund request is received within 60 days of the original 
7.11 	registration, the registration is not used or transferred, and:
7.12 	(1) the off-road vehicle was registered incorrectly; or
7.13 	(2) the off-road vehicle was registered twice, once by the dealer and once by the customer.

7.14 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.8035, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
7.15 		Subdivision 1.Pass required; fee. (a) Except as provided under paragraph (c), a person 
7.16 	may not operate an off-road vehicle on a state or grant-in-aid off-road vehicle trail or use 
7.17 	area unless the vehicle displays an off-road vehicle state trail pass sticker issued according 
7.18 	to this section. The pass must be viewable available to be viewed by a peace officer, a 
7.19 	conservation officer, or an employee designated under section 84.0835.
7.20 	(b) The commissioner of natural resources shall issue a pass upon application and payment 
7.21 	of the fee. Fees collected under this section, except for the issuing fee for licensing agents, 
7.22 	shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the off-road vehicle account in the 
7.23 	natural resources fund and, except for the electronic licensing system commission established 
7.24 	by the commissioner under section 84.027, subdivision 15, must be used for grants-in-aid 
7.25 	to counties and municipalities for off-road vehicle organizations to construct and maintain 
7.26 	off-road vehicle trails and use areas.
7.27 	(c) An off-road vehicle state trail pass is not required for:
7.28 	(1) an off-road vehicle that is owned and used by the United States, another state, or a 
7.29 	political subdivision thereof that is exempt from registration under section 84.798, subdivision 
7.30 	2;
8.1 	(2) a person operating an off-road vehicle only on the portion of a trail that is owned by 
8.2 	the person or the person's spouse, child, or parent; or
8.3 	(3) a person operating an off-road vehicle that is registered according to section 84.798.
8.4 	(d) The fee for an annual nonresident off-road vehicle state trail pass is $20. The 
8.5 	nonresident pass is valid from January 1 through December 31. The fee for a nonresident 
8.6 	three-year pass is $30.
8.7 	(e) The fee for a resident off-road vehicle state trail pass is $20. The resident pass is 
8.8 	valid for 30 consecutive days after the date of issuance.

8.9 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.82, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
8.10 		Subd. 2a.Nontrail use registration. A snowmobile may be registered for nontrail use. 
8.11 	A snowmobile registered under this subdivision may not be operated on a state or grant-in-aid 
8.12 	snowmobile trail. The fee for a nontrail use registration of a snowmobile with an engine 
8.13 	displacement that is greater than 125 cubic centimeters is $45 for three years. A nontrail 
8.14 	use registration is not transferable. In addition to other penalties prescribed by law, the 
8.15 	penalty for violation of this subdivision is immediate revocation of the nontrail use 
8.16 	registration. The commissioner shall ensure that the registration sticker provided for limited 
8.17 	nontrail use is of a different color and is distinguishable from other snowmobile registration 
8.18 	and state trail stickers provided.

8.19 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.82, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
8.20 		Subd. 11.Refunds. The commissioner may issue a refund on a registration, not including 
8.21 	any issuing fees paid under subdivision 2, paragraph (e), or section 84.027, subdivision 15, 
8.22 	paragraph (a), clause (3) (2), if the refund request is received within 60 days of the original 
8.23 	registration, the registration is not used or transferred, and:
8.24 	(1) the snowmobile was registered incorrectly; or
8.25 	(2) the snowmobile was registered twice, once by the dealer and once by the customer.

8.26 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.8205, is amended to read:
8.27 	84.8205 SNOWMOBILE STATE TRAIL STICKER PASS.
8.28 		Subdivision 1.Sticker Pass required; fee. (a) A snowmobile that is not registered in 
8.29 	the state under section 84.82, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), or that is registered by a 
8.30 	manufacturer or dealer under section 84.82, subdivision 3, paragraph (b) or (c), may not be 
8.31 	operated on a state or grant-in-aid snowmobile trail unless a snowmobile state trail sticker 
9.1 	is affixed to the snowmobile pass is available for inspection by a peace officer, a conservation 
9.2 	officer, or an employee designated under section 84.0835.
9.3 	(b) The commissioner of natural resources shall issue a sticker pass upon application 
9.4 	and payment of a fee. The fee is:
9.5 	(1) $50 for a one-year snowmobile state trail sticker pass purchased by an individual; 
9.6 	and
9.7 	(2) $15 for a one-year snowmobile state trail sticker pass purchased by a dealer or 
9.8 	manufacturer.
9.9 	(c) In addition to other penalties prescribed by law, an individual in violation of this 
9.10 	subdivision must purchase an annual state trail sticker pass for a fee of $70. The sticker
9.11 	pass is valid from November 1 through June 30. Fees collected under this section, except 
9.12 	for the issuing fee for licensing agents, shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited 
9.13 	to the snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the natural resources fund and, except 
9.14 	for the electronic licensing system commission established by the commissioner under 
9.15 	section 84.027, subdivision 15, must be used for grants-in-aid, trail maintenance, grooming, 
9.16 	and easement acquisition.
9.17 	(d) A state trail sticker pass is not required under this section for:
9.18 	(1) a snowmobile that is owned and used by the United States, an Indian tribal 
9.19 	government, another state, or a political subdivision thereof that is exempt from registration 
9.20 	under section 84.82, subdivision 6;
9.21 	(2) a collector snowmobile that is operated as provided in a special permit issued for the 
9.22 	collector snowmobile under section 84.82, subdivision 7a;
9.23 	(3) a person operating a snowmobile only on the portion of a trail that is owned by the 
9.24 	person or the person's spouse, child, or parent; or
9.25 	(4) a snowmobile while being used to groom a state or grant-in-aid trail.
9.26 		Subd. 2.Placement of sticker. The state trail sticker shall be permanently affixed to 
9.27 	either:
9.28 	(1) the forward half of the snowmobile directly above or below the headlight of the 
9.29 	snowmobile;
9.30 	(2) above the expiration year on the top portion of the snowmobile registration validation 
9.31 	decal; or
10.1 	(3) the lower right corner of a registration plate issued to a dealer or manufacturer under 
10.2 	section 84.82, subdivision 3.
10.3 		Subd. 3.License agents. The commissioner may appoint agents to issue and sell state 
10.4 	trail stickers passes. The commissioner may revoke the appointment of an agent at any time. 
10.5 	The commissioner may adopt additional rules as provided in section 97A.485, subdivision 
10.6 	11. An agent shall observe all rules adopted by the commissioner for accounting and handling 
10.7 	of stickers passes pursuant to section 97A.485, subdivision 11. An agent shall promptly 
10.8 	deposit and remit all money received from the sale of the stickers passes, exclusive of the 
10.9 	issuing fee, to the commissioner.
10.10 		Subd. 4.Issuing stickers passes. The commissioner and agents shall issue and sell 
10.11 	snowmobile state trail stickers passes.
10.12 		Subd. 5.Agent's fee. In addition to the fee for a sticker pass, an issuing fee of $1 per 
10.13 	sticker pass shall be charged. The issuing fee may be retained by the seller of the sticker
10.14 	pass. Issuing fees for stickers passes issued by the commissioner shall be deposited in the 
10.15 	snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the natural resources fund and retained for 
10.16 	the operation of the electronic licensing system.
10.17 		Subd. 6.Duplicate state trail stickers passes. The commissioner and agents shall issue 
10.18 	a duplicate sticker pass to persons whose sticker pass is lost or destroyed using the process 
10.19 	established under section 97A.405, subdivision 3, and rules promulgated thereunder. The 
10.20 	fee for a duplicate state trail sticker pass is $2, with an issuing fee of 50 cents.

10.21 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.83, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
10.22 		Subd. 2.Money deposited in account. Fees from the registration of snowmobiles and 
10.23 	from the issuance of snowmobile state trail stickers passes and the unrefunded gasoline tax 
10.24 	attributable to snowmobile use pursuant to section 296A.18 shall be deposited in the state 
10.25 	treasury and credited to the snowmobile trails and enforcement account.

10.26 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 84.83, subdivision 3, is amended 
10.27 	to read:
10.28 		Subd. 3.Purposes; allocation. (a) The money deposited in the account and interest 
10.29 	earned on that money may be expended only as appropriated by law for the following 
10.30 	purposes:
10.31 	(1) for a grant-in-aid program to counties and municipalities for construction and 
10.32 	maintenance of snowmobile trails that are determined by the commissioner to be part of 
11.1 	the state's grant-in-aid system, including maintenance of trails on lands and waters of 
11.2 	Voyageurs National Park; on Lake of the Woods; on Rainy Lake; on the following lakes in 
11.3 	St. Louis County: Burntside, Crane, Little Long, Mud, Pelican, Shagawa, and Vermilion; 
11.4 	and on the following lakes in Cook County: Devil Track and Hungry Jack. The commissioner 
11.5 	may establish a performance-based funding formula for annual grants-in-aid. The procedures 
11.6 	and criteria for grants-in-aid are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and 
11.7 	section 14.386 does not apply. In administering the performance-based grants-in-aid, the 
11.8 	commissioner must:
11.9 	(i) determine annual grant amounts based on a funding formula that includes consideration 
11.10 	of historical costs, snowfall, use, and tourism;
11.11 	(ii) make grant payments based on:
11.12 	(A) successful completion of performance benchmarks;
11.13 	(B) reimbursement of eligible expenditures; or
11.14 	(C) a combination of subitems (A) and (B); and
11.15 	(iii) assess penalties to nonperforming grant-in-aid recipients, which may include 
11.16 	withholding grant payments or making the grantee or trail system ineligible for future 
11.17 	grant-in-aid funding;
11.18 	(2) to acquire, develop, and maintain state recreational snowmobile trails;
11.19 	(3) for snowmobile safety programs; and
11.20 	(4) to administer and enforce sections 84.81 to 84.9011 and appropriated grants to local 
11.21 	law enforcement agencies.
11.22 	(b) No less than 60 percent of revenue collected from snowmobile registration and 
11.23 	snowmobile state trail sticker pass fees must be expended for grants-in-aid to develop, 
11.24 	maintain, and groom trails and acquire easements.

11.25 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.922, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
11.26 		Subd. 12.Refunds. The commissioner may issue a refund on a registration, not including 
11.27 	any issuing fees paid under subdivision 2, paragraph (e), or section 84.027, subdivision 15, 
11.28 	paragraph (a), clause (3) (2), if the refund request is received within 60 days of the original 
11.29 	registration, the registration is not used or transferred, and:
11.30 	(1) the vehicle was registered incorrectly; or
11.31 	(2) the vehicle was registered twice, once by the dealer and once by the customer.

12.1 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 85.41, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
12.2 		Subdivision 1.Pass in possession. While skiing on cross-country-ski trails, a person 
12.3 	age 16 or over shall carry in immediate possession a valid, signed cross-country-ski pass. 
12.4 	A landowner who grants an easement for a grant-in-aid ski trail is not required to have a 
12.5 	pass when skiing on the landowner's property.

12.6 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 85.41, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
12.7 		Subd. 4.Issuance. The commissioner and agents shall issue and sell cross-country-ski 
12.8 	passes. The pass shall be with the skier and available for inspection by any peace or 
12.9 	conservation officer. The pass shall include the applicant's signature and other information 
12.10 	deemed necessary by the commissioner.

12.11 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 85.45, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
12.12 		Subdivision 1.Skiing without pass. No person may ski on a cross-country-ski trail 
12.13 	without a valid, signed cross-country-ski pass. Any person who violates this subdivision is 
12.14 	guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

12.15 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 85.46, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
12.16 		Subd. 3.Issuance. The commissioner of natural resources and agents shall issue and 
12.17 	sell horse passes. The pass shall include the applicant's signature and other information 
12.18 	deemed necessary by the commissioner. To be valid, a daily or annual pass must be signed 
12.19 	by issued to the person riding, leading, or driving the horse, and a commercial annual pass 
12.20 	must be signed by issued to the owner of the commercial riding facility.

12.21 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 86B.415, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
12.22 		Subd. 11.Refunds. The commissioner may issue a refund on a license or title, not 
12.23 	including any issuing fees paid under subdivision 8 or section 84.027, subdivision 15, 
12.24 	paragraph (a), clause (3) (2), or 86B.870, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), if the refund request 
12.25 	is received within 60 days of the original license or title, the license or title is not used or 
12.26 	transferred, and:
12.27 	(1) the watercraft was licensed or titled incorrectly;
12.28 	(2) the customer was incorrectly charged a title fee; or
12.29 	(3) the watercraft was licensed or titled twice, once by the dealer and once by the 
12.30 	customer.

13.1 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 89.002, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
13.2 		Subd. 3.Forest road policy. The commissioner shall provide a system of forest roads 
13.3 	and trails which provides access to state forest land and other forest land under the 
13.4 	commissioner's authority which is adequate to permit the commissioner to manage, protect, 
13.5 	and develop those lands and their forest resources consistent with the forest resource 
13.6 	management policy, and to meet demands for forest resources. The commissioner must 
13.7 	ensure that commercial minnow trappers, leech trappers, fur trappers, and loggers have 
13.8 	access to forest roads. If the commissioner or any other state agency requires a permit to 
13.9 	access state forest roads, the commissioner or state agency may issue a permit to any person 
13.10 	seeking access to the forest roads for these purposes.

13.11 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.015, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
13.12 		Subd. 3a.Bonus permit. "Bonus permit" means a license to take and tag deer by archery 
13.13 	or firearms, in addition to deer authorized to be taken under regular firearms or archery 
13.14 	licenses, or a license issued under section 97A.441, subdivision 7.

13.15 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a subdivision 
13.16 	to read:
13.17 		Subd. 53a.Validation. "Validation" means the documentation process for taking a 
13.18 	specific species under a license for that species, which can be completed electronically or 
13.19 	on the corresponding paper license, permit, or endorsement to include information specified 
13.20 	by the commissioner.

13.21 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.215, is amended by adding a subdivision 
13.22 	to read:
13.23 		Subd. 4.Electronic devices. During an inspection under subdivision 3, if a person uses 
13.24 	an electronic device to display a document to a conservation officer or peace officer:
13.25 	(1) the officer is immune from liability for any damage to the device, unless the officer 
13.26 	does not exercise due care in handling the device; and
13.27 	(2) it does not constitute consent for the officer to access other contents on the device.

13.28 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.255, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
13.29 		Subd. 5.Joint and several liability. When two or more people intentionally aid, advise, 
13.30 	counsel, conspire with, or act in concert with each other to unlawfully take, transport, or 
14.1 	possess wild animals when the restitution value of the wild animals exceeds $500, each 
14.2 	person is jointly and severally liable for the wild animals for purposes of:
14.3 	(1) license seizure, invalidation, and revocation under sections 97A.420 and 97A.421;
14.4 	(2) equipment and property seizure under section 97A.221;
14.5 	(3) boat, motor, and trailer seizure under section 97A.225; and
14.6 	(4) restitution under section 97A.341.

14.7 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 97A.405, subdivision 2, is amended 
14.8 	to read:
14.9 		Subd. 2.Personal possession. (a) A person acting under a license or traveling from an 
14.10 	area where a licensed activity was performed must have in personal possession:
14.11 	(1) the proper paper license, if the license has been issued to and received by the person;
14.12 	(2) a driver's license or Minnesota identification card that bears a valid designation of 
14.13 	the proper lifetime license, as provided under section 171.07, subdivision 19;
14.14 	(3) the proper paper license identification number or stamp validation, if the license has 
14.15 	been sold to the person by electronic means but the actual license has not been issued and 
14.16 	received; or
14.17 	(4) electronic or other evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the person has the 
14.18 	proper paperless license.
14.19 	(b) If possession of a license or a license identification number is required, a person 
14.20 	must exhibit, as requested by a conservation officer or peace officer: (1) the proper paper 
14.21 	license if the license has been issued to and received by the person; (2) a driver's license or 
14.22 	Minnesota identification card that bears a valid designation of the proper lifetime license, 
14.23 	as provided under section 171.07, subdivision 19; (3) the proper paper license identification 
14.24 	number or stamp validation and a valid state driver's license, state identification card, or 
14.25 	other form of identification provided by the commissioner, if the license has been sold to 
14.26 	the person by electronic means but the actual license has not been issued and received; or 
14.27 	(4) electronic or other evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the person has the 
14.28 	proper paperless license. A person charged with violating the license possession requirement 
14.29 	shall not be convicted if the person produces in court or the office of the arresting officer, 
14.30 	the actual license previously issued to that person, which was valid at the time of arrest, or 
14.31 	satisfactory proof that at the time of the arrest the person was validly licensed. Upon request 
15.1 	of a conservation officer or peace officer, a licensee shall write the licensee's name in the 
15.2 	presence of the officer to determine the identity of the licensee.
15.3 	(c) Except as provided in paragraph (a), clauses (2) and (4), if the actual license has been 
15.4 	issued and received, a receipt for license fees, a copy of a license, or evidence showing the 
15.5 	issuance of a license, including the license identification number or stamp validation, does 
15.6 	not entitle a licensee to exercise the rights or privileges conferred by a license.
15.7 	(d) A paper license issued electronically and not immediately provided to the licensee 
15.8 	shall be mailed to the licensee within 30 days of purchase of the license. A pictorial migratory 
15.9 	waterfowl, pheasant, trout and salmon, or walleye stamp shall be provided to the licensee 
15.10 	after purchase of a stamp validation only if the licensee pays an additional fee that covers 
15.11 	the costs of producing and mailing a pictorial stamp. A pictorial turkey stamp may be 
15.12 	purchased for a fee that covers the costs of producing and mailing the pictorial stamp. 
15.13 	Notwithstanding section 16A.1283, the commissioner may, by written order published in 
15.14 	the State Register, establish fees for providing the pictorial stamps. The fees must be set in 
15.15 	an amount that does not recover significantly more or less than the cost of producing and 
15.16 	mailing the stamps. The fees are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and 
15.17 	section 14.386 does not apply.

15.18 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.405, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
15.19 		Subd. 3.Duplicate licenses. The commissioner shall prescribe rules for issuing duplicate 
15.20 	licenses to persons whose licenses are lost or destroyed. A duplicate license may not be 
15.21 	issued unless the applicant takes an oath covering the facts of loss or destruction of the 
15.22 	license.

15.23 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.405, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
15.24 		Subd. 4.Replacement deer licenses. (a) The commissioner may permit licensed deer 
15.25 	hunters to change zone, license, or season options. The commissioner may issue a 
15.26 	replacement deer license if the applicant submits the original deer license and unused tags 
15.27 	that are being replaced and the applicant pays any increase in cost between the original and 
15.28 	the replacement deer license. A refund of the difference in fees may be issued when a person 
15.29 	changes from a regular deer license to a youth deer license.
15.30 	(b) A replacement deer license may be issued only if the applicant has not used any tag 
15.31 	from harvested a deer under the original deer license or licenses and meets the conditions 
15.32 	of paragraph (c). The original deer license or licenses and all unused tags for the deer licenses 
16.1 	being replaced must be submitted to the issuing agent at the time the replacement deer 
16.2 	license is issued.
16.3 	(c) A replacement deer license may be issued under the following conditions, or as 
16.4 	otherwise prescribed by rule of the commissioner:
16.5 	(1) when the season for the deer license being surrendered has not yet opened; or
16.6 	(2) when the person is changing from a regular deer license to a youth deer license.
16.7 	(d) Notwithstanding section 97A.411, subdivision 3, a replacement deer license is valid 
16.8 	immediately upon issuance if the deer license being surrendered is valid at that time.

16.9 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.405, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
16.10 		Subd. 4a.Replacement turkey licenses. (a) The commissioner may permit licensed 
16.11 	turkey hunters to change permit areas, licenses, or time periods within the fall turkey season, 
16.12 	or within the spring turkey season. The commissioner may issue a replacement turkey license 
16.13 	if the applicant submits the original turkey license and unused tags that are being replaced, 
16.14 	and the applicant pays the fee for a replacement license under section 97A.475, subdivision 
16.15 	44.
16.16 	(b) A replacement turkey license may be issued only if the applicant has not used the 
16.17 	tag from harvested a turkey under the original turkey license and meets the requirements 
16.18 	of paragraph (c). The original turkey licenses and all unused tags for the turkey licenses 
16.19 	being replaced must be submitted to the issuing agent at the time the replacement turkey 
16.20 	license is issued.
16.21 	(c) A turkey replacement license may be issued under the following conditions, or as 
16.22 	otherwise prescribed by rule of the commissioner:
16.23 	(1) when the permit area or time period for the turkey license being surrendered has not 
16.24 	yet opened; and
16.25 	(2) licenses are available for the replacement turkey license permit area or time period 
16.26 	for (i) areas that are not lottery areas, (ii) lottery areas that have remaining licenses, or (iii) 
16.27 	the applicant is a youth hunter age 17 or younger.

17.1 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.420, as amended by Laws 2023, chapter 
17.2 	60, article 4, section 50, is amended to read:
17.3 	97A.420 SEIZURE OR INVALIDATION OF LICENSES.
17.4 		Subdivision 1.Seizure or invalidation. (a) An enforcement officer shall immediately 
17.5 	seize or invalidate the license of a person who unlawfully takes, transports, or possesses 
17.6 	wild animals when the restitution value of the wild animals exceeds $500. Except as provided 
17.7 	in subdivisions 2, 4, and 5, the person may not use or obtain any license to take the same 
17.8 	type of wild animals involved, including a duplicate license, until an action is taken under 
17.9 	subdivision 6. If the license seized or invalidated under this paragraph was for a big game 
17.10 	animal, the license seizure or invalidation applies to all licenses to take big game issued to 
17.11 	the individual. If the license seized or invalidated under this paragraph was for small game 
17.12 	animals, the license seizure or invalidation applies to all licenses to take small game issued 
17.13 	to the individual.
17.14 	(b) In addition to the license seizure or invalidation under paragraph (a), if the restitution 
17.15 	value of the wild animals unlawfully taken, possessed, or transported is $1,000 or more, all 
17.16 	other game and fish licenses held by the person shall be immediately seized or invalidated. 
17.17 	Except as provided in subdivision 2, 4, or 5, the person may not obtain any game or fish 
17.18 	license or permit, including a duplicate license, until an action is taken under subdivision 
17.19 	6.
17.20 	(c) A person may not take wild animals covered by a license seized or invalidated under 
17.21 	this subdivision until an action is taken under subdivision 6.
17.22 	(d) The commissioner must make a means of seizing or invalidating and releasing a 
17.23 	paperless license under this section available to enforcement officers.
17.24 		Subd. 2.Administrative review. (a) At any time after the seizure or invalidation of a 
17.25 	license under subdivision 1 and before revocation under section 97A.421, a person may 
17.26 	request in writing a review of the seizure or invalidation under this section. Upon receiving 
17.27 	the request for review, the commissioner shall review the seizure or invalidation, the evidence 
17.28 	upon which it was based, and other material information brought to the attention of the 
17.29 	commissioner, and determine whether sufficient cause exists to sustain the seizure or 
17.30 	invalidation.
17.31 	(b) Within 15 days after receiving the request for administrative review, the commissioner 
17.32 	shall issue a written report of the review and shall order that the seizure or invalidation be 
17.33 	either sustained or rescinded.
18.1 	(c) The review provided in this subdivision is not subject to the contested case provisions 
18.2 	of the Administrative Procedure Act under chapter 14. The availability of administrative 
18.3 	review does not preclude judicial review under this section.
18.4 		Subd. 3.Judicial review. (a) Within 30 days following the seizure or invalidation of a 
18.5 	license under subdivision 1, a person may petition the court for review. The petition must 
18.6 	be filed with the district court administrator in the county where the incident occurred, 
18.7 	together with proof of service of a copy on the commissioner and the county attorney. A 
18.8 	responsive pleading is not required of the commissioner of natural resources and court fees 
18.9 	may not be charged for the appearance of the representative of the commissioner in the 
18.10 	matter.
18.11 	(b) The petition must be captioned in the name of the person making the petition as 
18.12 	petitioner and the commissioner as respondent. The petition must state specifically the 
18.13 	grounds upon which the petitioner seeks rescission of the license seizure or invalidation.
18.14 	(c) The filing of the petition does not stay the license seizure or invalidation. The judicial 
18.15 	review shall be conducted according to the Rules of Civil Procedure.
18.16 		Subd. 4.Hearing. (a) A hearing under subdivision 3 must be before a district court judge 
18.17 	in the county where the incident occurred giving rise to the license seizure or invalidation. 
18.18 	The hearing must be to the court and may be conducted at the same time as hearings upon 
18.19 	pretrial motions in a related criminal prosecution. The commissioner must be represented 
18.20 	by the county attorney.
18.21 	(b) The hearing must be held at the earliest practicable date and in any event no later 
18.22 	than 60 days following the filing of the petition for review.
18.23 	(c) The scope of the hearing must be limited to the issue of whether there is probable 
18.24 	cause to believe that the person had unlawfully taken, possessed, or transported wild animals 
18.25 	with a restitution value over $500.
18.26 	(d) The court shall order that the license seizure or invalidation be either sustained or 
18.27 	rescinded. Within 14 days following the hearing, the court shall forward a copy of the order 
18.28 	to the commissioner.
18.29 	(e) Any party aggrieved by the decision of the reviewing court may appeal the decision 
18.30 	as provided in the Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure.
18.31 		Subd. 5.Temporary release of commercial licenses. At any time during the period 
18.32 	that a game or fish license is seized or invalidated under subdivision 1, a person possessing 
18.33 	a commercial license issued under the game and fish laws may make a written request to 
19.1 	the commissioner to temporarily release the commercial license. If the commissioner 
19.2 	determines that the public welfare will not be injured, the commissioner may temporarily 
19.3 	reinstate the commercial license upon payment of a temporary reinstatement fee of $1,000 
19.4 	cash or bond in favor of the state for each commercial license to be released. An additional 
19.5 	fee is not required for vehicles licensed under section 97A.475, subdivision 26, clause (2) 
19.6 	or (4). If the license is returned under subdivision 6, paragraph (a), the temporary 
19.7 	reinstatement fee shall be returned to the licensee. If the license is revoked under subdivision 
19.8 	6, paragraph (b), the temporary reinstatement fee shall be deposited in the game and fish 
19.9 	fund and is not refundable.
19.10 		Subd. 6.Return or revocation of licenses upon dismissal or conviction. (a) Upon 
19.11 	acquittal, dismissal, or determination not to charge a person for a violation, the license 
19.12 	seizure or invalidation under subdivision 1 is immediately rescinded and any license seized 
19.13 	or invalidated in connection with the incident must be returned to the licensee or reinstated.
19.14 	(b) Upon conviction of a violation when the restitution value of the wild animals exceeds 
19.15 	$500, revocation of licenses and license privileges must be imposed as provided under 
19.16 	section 97A.421, subdivision 2a.

19.17 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.445, is amended by adding a subdivision 
19.18 	to read:
19.19 		Subd. 6.License system. In the event of a disruption in the availability of hunting and 
19.20 	angling licenses, the commissioner may publish in the State Register a notice that exempts 
19.21 	residents and nonresidents from requirements to possess a license to take game or fish.

19.22 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.473, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
19.23 		Subdivision 1.Resident lifetime licenses authorized. (a) The commissioner may issue 
19.24 	a lifetime angling license, a lifetime spearing license, a lifetime angling and spearing license, 
19.25 	a lifetime small-game-hunting license, a lifetime firearm or archery deer-hunting license, 
19.26 	a lifetime sporting license, or a lifetime sporting with spearing option license to a person 
19.27 	who is a resident of the state for at least one year or who is under age 21 and the child of a 
19.28 	person who is a resident of the state for at least one year. The license fees paid for a lifetime 
19.29 	license are nonrefundable.
19.30 	(b) The commissioner may require the holder of a lifetime license issued under this 
19.31 	section to notify the department each year that the license is used, by:
19.32 	(1) telephone or Internet notification, as specified by the commissioner;
20.1 	(2) the purchase of stamps for the license; or
20.2 	(3) registration and tag issuance, in the case of the resident lifetime deer license.

20.3 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.473, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
20.4 		Subd. 3.Lifetime small-game-hunting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime 
20.5 	small-game-hunting license authorizes a person to hunt and trap small game, other than 
20.6 	wolves, in the state. The license authorizes those hunting and trapping activities authorized 
20.7 	by the annual resident small-game-hunting license and the trapping license for fur-bearing 
20.8 	animals other than wolves. The license does not include a turkey stamp validation or any 
20.9 	other hunting stamps required by law.
20.10 	(b) The fees for a resident lifetime small-game-hunting license are:
20.11 	(1) age 3 and under, $223;
20.12 	(2) age 4 to age 15, $301;
20.13 	(3) age 16 to age 50, $430; and
20.14 	(4) age 51 and over, $274.

20.15 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.473, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
20.16 		Subd. 4.Lifetime deer-hunting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime deer-hunting license 
20.17 	authorizes a person to take deer with firearms or by archery in the state. The license 
20.18 	authorizes those activities authorized by the annual resident firearm deer-hunting license 
20.19 	or the annual resident archery deer-hunting license. The licensee must register and receive 
20.20 	tags review and confirm information each year that the license is used. The tags shall be 
20.21 	issued at no charge to the licensee.
20.22 	(b) The fees for a resident lifetime firearm or archery deer-hunting license are:
20.23 	(1) age 3 and under, $458;
20.24 	(2) age 4 to age 15, $607;
20.25 	(3) age 16 to age 50, $741; and
20.26 	(4) age 51 and over, $528.

20.27 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.473, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
20.28 		Subd. 5.Lifetime sporting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime sporting license authorizes 
20.29 	a person to take fish by angling and hunt and trap small game, other than wolves, in the 
21.1 	state. The license authorizes those activities authorized by the annual resident angling and 
21.2 	resident small-game-hunting licenses and the resident trapping license for fur-bearing 
21.3 	animals other than wolves. The license does not include a trout-and-salmon stamp validation, 
21.4 	a turkey stamp validation, a walleye stamp validation, or any other hunting stamps required 
21.5 	by law.
21.6 	(b) The fees for a resident lifetime sporting license are:
21.7 	(1) age 3 and under, $522;
21.8 	(2) age 4 to age 15, $710;
21.9 	(3) age 16 to age 50, $927; and
21.10 	(4) age 51 and over, $603.

21.11 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.473, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:
21.12 		Subd. 5a.Lifetime sporting with spearing option license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime 
21.13 	sporting with spearing option license authorizes a person to take fish by angling or spearing 
21.14 	and hunt and trap small game, other than wolves, in the state. The license authorizes those 
21.15 	activities authorized by the annual resident angling, spearing, and resident 
21.16 	small-game-hunting licenses and the resident trapping license for fur-bearing animals other 
21.17 	than wolves. The license does not include a trout-and-salmon stamp validation, a turkey 
21.18 	stamp validation, a walleye stamp validation, or any other hunting stamps required by law.
21.19 	(b) The fees for a resident lifetime sporting with spearing option license are:
21.20 	(1) age 3 and under, $612;
21.21 	(2) age 4 to age 15, $833;
21.22 	(3) age 16 to age 50, $1,046; and
21.23 	(4) age 51 and over, $666.

21.24 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.474, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
21.25 		Subd. 3.Nonresident lifetime small-game-hunting license; fee. (a) A nonresident 
21.26 	lifetime small-game-hunting license authorizes a person to hunt small game in the state. 
21.27 	The license authorizes those hunting activities authorized by the annual nonresident 
21.28 	small-game-hunting license. The license does not include a turkey stamp validation or any 
21.29 	other hunting stamps required by law.
21.30 	(b) The fees for a nonresident lifetime small-game-hunting license are:
22.1 	(1) age 3 and under, $947;
22.2 	(2) age 4 to age 15, $1,280;
22.3 	(3) age 16 to age 50, $1,633; and
22.4 	(4) age 51 and over, $1,083.

22.5 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.481, is amended to read:
22.6 	97A.481 LICENSE APPLICATIONS; PENALTY.
22.7 	All information required on a license application form must be furnished. The application 
22.8 	must be made in writing and applicant is subject to the penalty prescribed in section 97A.301, 
22.9 	subdivision 1, clause (5).

22.10 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.485, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
22.11 		Subd. 6.Licenses to be sold and issuing fees. (a) Persons authorized to sell licenses 
22.12 	under this section must issue the following licenses for the license fee and the following 
22.13 	issuing fees:
22.14 	(1) to take deer or bear with firearms and by archery, the issuing fee is $1;
22.15 	(2) Minnesota sporting, the issuing fee is $1;
22.16 	(3) to take small game, to take fish by angling or by spearing, and to trap fur-bearing 
22.17 	animals, the issuing fee is $1;
22.18 	(4) to apply for a limited hunt drawing, the issuing fee is $1 unless the application requires 
22.19 	a license purchase at the time of application and the license purchase requires an application 
22.20 	fee;
22.21 	(5) for a prairie-chicken license, the issuing fee is $1;
22.22 	(6) for a turkey license, the issuing fee is $1;
22.23 	(7) for an elk license, the issuing fee is $1;
22.24 	(8) for a moose license, the issuing fee is $1;
22.25 	(9) for a wolf license, the issuing fee is $1;
22.26 	(10) for a stamp validation that is not issued simultaneously with a license, an issuing 
22.27 	fee of 50 cents may be charged at the discretion of the authorized seller;
22.28 	(11) for stamp validations issued simultaneously with a license, there is no fee;
23.1 	(12) for licenses, seals, tags, or coupons issued without a fee under section 97A.441, 
23.2 	subdivisions 1 to 6a, or 97A.465, there is no fee;
23.3 	(13) for lifetime licenses, there is no fee; and
23.4 	(14) for all other licenses, permits, renewals, or applications or any other transaction 
23.5 	through the electronic licensing system under this chapter or any other chapter when an 
23.6 	issuing fee is not specified, an issuing fee of $1 may be charged at the discretion of the 
23.7 	authorized seller.
23.8 	(b) Only one issuing fee may be collected when selling more than one stamp in the same 
23.9 	transaction after the end of the season for which the stamp was issued.
23.10 	(c) The agent shall keep the issuing fee as a commission for selling the licenses.
23.11 	(d) The commissioner shall collect the issuing fee on licenses sold by the commissioner.
23.12 	(e) A license, except stamps, must state the amount of the issuing fee and that the issuing 
23.13 	fee is kept by the seller as a commission for selling the licenses.
23.14 	(f) For duplicate licenses, including licenses issued without a fee, the issuing fees are:
23.15 	(1) for licenses to take big game, 75 cents; and
23.16 	(2) for other licenses, 50 cents.
23.17 	(g) The commissioner may issue one-day angling licenses in books of ten licenses each 
23.18 	to fishing guides operating charter boats upon receipt of payment of all license fees, excluding 
23.19 	the issuing fee required under this section. Copies of sold and unsold licenses shall be 
23.20 	returned to the commissioner. The commissioner shall refund the charter boat captain for 
23.21 	the license fees of all unsold licenses. Copies of sold licenses shall be maintained by the 
23.22 	commissioner for one year.

23.23 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.535, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
23.24 		Subdivision 1.Tags Validation required. (a) A person may not possess or transport 
23.25 	deer, bear, elk, or moose taken in the state unless a tag is attached to the carcass in a manner
23.26 	the person has the required license and validation for that animal as prescribed by the 
23.27 	commissioner. The commissioner must prescribe the type of tag that has the license number 
23.28 	of the owner, the year of its issue, and other information prescribed by the commissioner.
23.29 	(b) The tag license must be validated at the site of the kill as prescribed by the 
23.30 	commissioner.
24.1 	(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the tag must be attached to the deer, 
24.2 	bear, elk, or moose at the site of the kill before the animal is removed from the site of the 
24.3 	kill.
24.4 	(d) The tag must remain attached to the animal until the animal is processed for storage.
24.5 	(e) A person may move a lawfully taken deer, bear, elk, or moose from the site of the 
24.6 	kill without attaching the validated tag to the animal only while in the act of manually or 
24.7 	mechanically dragging, carrying, or carting the animal across the ground and while possessing 
24.8 	the validated tag on their person. A motor vehicle may be used to drag the animal across 
24.9 	the ground. At all other times, the validated tag must be attached to the deer, bear, elk, or 
24.10 	moose:
24.11 	(1) as otherwise provided in this section; and
24.12 	(2) prior to the animal being placed onto and transported on a motor vehicle, being hung 
24.13 	from a tree or other structure or device, or being brought into a camp or yard or other place 
24.14 	of habitation.

24.15 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.535, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
24.16 		Subd. 2.Registration required. Deer, bear, elk, and moose must be registered as 
24.17 	prescribed by the commissioner, in addition to the tag required in subdivision 1.

24.18 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.535, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
24.19 		Subd. 2a.Quartering deer allowed. A deer that has been tagged validated as required 
24.20 	in subdivision 1 may be quartered at the site of the kill. The animal's head must remain 
24.21 	attached to one of the quarters. The quarters must be presented together for registration 
24.22 	under subdivision 2 and must remain together until the deer is processed for storage.

24.23 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.535, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
24.24 		Subd. 4.Transporting by person other than licensee. A person other than the licensee 
24.25 	may transport deer, bear, elk, or moose that the licensee has registered as prescribed by the 
24.26 	commissioner. A tag must be attached to the animal and marked in ink The person 
24.27 	transporting the animal must possess documentation with the address, license number, 
24.28 	signature and full legal name of the licensee, and the locations from which and to which 
24.29 	the animal is being transported.

25.1 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.551, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
25.2 		Subd. 6.Tagging and Registration. The commissioner may, by rule, require persons 
25.3 	taking, possessing, and transporting certain species of fish to tag the fish with a special fish 
25.4 	management tag and may require registration of tagged possess an endorsement for and 
25.5 	register the fish. A person may not possess or transport a fish species taken in the state for 
25.6 	which a special fish-management tag registration is required unless a tag is attached to the 
25.7 	fish is registered or validated in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner 
25.8 	shall prescribe the manner of issuance and the type of tag endorsement as authorized under 
25.9 	section 97C.087. The tag must be attached to the fish as prescribed by the commissioner
25.10 	Immediately upon reducing the fish to possession, the licensee must validate the license
25.11 	and the license must remain attached to with the fish until the fish is processed or consumed
25.12 	registered. Species for which a special fish management tag registration is required must 
25.13 	be transported undressed, except as otherwise prescribed by the commissioner.

25.14 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.303, is amended to read:
25.15 	97B.303 VENISON DONATIONS.
25.16 	An individual who legally takes a deer may donate the deer, for distribution to charitable 
25.17 	food assistance programs, to a meat processor that is licensed under chapter 28A. An 
25.18 	individual donating a deer must supply the processor with the tag licensee's DNR number 
25.19 	under which the deer was taken.

25.20 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.401, is amended to read:
25.21 	97B.401 BEAR LICENSE REQUIRED; APPLICATION.
25.22 	(a) A person may not take bear without a bear license except as provided in section 
25.23 	97B.415 to protect property.
25.24 	(b) A person may not place bait for bears on or after the Friday nearest August 14 unless 
25.25 	the person has a bear license or is operating under the direction of a person with a valid bear 
25.26 	license.
25.27 	(c) An application for a bear license must be on a form provided made in the manner 
25.28 	prescribed by the commissioner and accompanied by a $4 application fee. A person may 
25.29 	not make more than one application for each season. If a person makes more than one 
25.30 	application, the person is ineligible for a license for that season after determination by the 
25.31 	commissioner, without a hearing.

26.1 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.603, is amended to read:
26.2 	97B.603 TAKING SMALL GAME BY PARTY.
26.3 	(a) While two or more persons are taking small game as a party and maintaining unaided 
26.4 	visual and vocal contact, a member of the party may take and possess more than one limit 
26.5 	of small game, but the total number of small game taken and possessed by the party may 
26.6 	not exceed the limit of the number of persons in the party that may take and possess small 
26.7 	game.
26.8 	(b) This section does not apply to hunting wolves, migratory game birds, or turkeys, 
26.9 	except that a licensed turkey hunter may assist another licensed turkey hunter and a licensed 
26.10 	wolf hunter may assist another licensed wolf hunter for the same zone and time period as 
26.11 	long as the hunter does not shoot or tag register a turkey or wolf for the other hunter.

26.12 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.716, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
26.13 		Subd. 2.Tagging and Registration. The commissioner may by rule prescribe 
26.14 	requirements for the tagging and registration of prairie chickens.

26.15 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.721, is amended to read:
26.16 	97B.721 LICENSE REQUIRED TO TAKE TURKEY; TAGGING AND
26.17 	REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.
26.18 	(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) or section 97A.405, subdivision 2, a person may 
26.19 	not take a turkey without possessing a turkey license.
26.20 	(b) An unlicensed adult age 18 or older may assist a licensed wild-turkey hunter. The 
26.21 	unlicensed adult may not shoot or possess a firearm or bow while assisting a hunter under 
26.22 	this paragraph and may not charge a fee for the assistance.
26.23 	(c) The commissioner may by rule prescribe requirements for the tagging validation and 
26.24 	registration of turkeys.

26.25 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.087, is amended to read:
26.26 	97C.087 SPECIAL FISH MANAGEMENT TAGS REGISTRATION.
26.27 		Subdivision 1.Tags to be issued Registration. If the commissioner determines it is 
26.28 	necessary to require that a species of fish be tagged with a special fish management tag
26.29 	registered, the commissioner shall prescribe, by rule, the species to be tagged registered, 
26.30 	tagging registration procedures, and endorsement eligibility requirements.
27.1 		Subd. 2.Application for tag endorsement. Application for a special fish management 
27.2 	tags endorsement must be accompanied by a $5, nonrefundable application fee for each tag
27.3 	endorsement. A person may not make more than one tag endorsement application each 
27.4 	calendar year. If a person makes more than one application, the person is ineligible for a 
27.5 	special fish management tag endorsement for that calendar year after determination by the 
27.6 	commissioner, without a hearing.

27.7 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.301, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
27.8 		Subd. 2a.Aquatic invasive species affirmation. (a) A nonresident license to take fish 
27.9 	issued under section 97A.475, subdivision 7, includes aquatic invasive species affirmation 
27.10 	as provided in section 84D.106.
27.11 	(b) The aquatic invasive species affirmation portion of the license must be displayed 
27.12 	with the signed nonresident license to take fish issued under section 97A.475, subdivision 
27.13 	7. The aquatic invasive species affirmation will be provided at the time of purchase of a 
27.14 	new or duplicate nonresident license.
27.15 	(c) If a license is purchased online, the aquatic invasive species affirmation may be 
27.16 	completed electronically as part of the online sales process, and the electronic record of the 
27.17 	license sale is sufficient for documenting the affirmation.
27.18 	(d) Failure to complete the aquatic invasive species affirmation in this subdivision is 
27.19 	subject to the penalty prescribed in section 84D.13, subdivision 5.

27.20 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.355, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
27.21 		Subd. 2.License required. (a) A person may not place a dark house, fish house, or 
27.22 	shelter, except a portable shelter, on the ice unless the house or shelter:
27.23 	(1) the house or shelter is licensed by the shelter owner; and
27.24 	(2) has the license tag attached to the exterior in a readily visible location, except as 
27.25 	provided in this subdivision the owners' information is displayed according to subdivision 
27.26 	1.
27.27 	(b) The commissioner must issue a tag with a dark house, fish house, or shelter license, 
27.28 	marked with a number to correspond with the license and the year of issue. A dark house, 
27.29 	fish house, or shelter license is not required of a resident on boundary waters where the 
27.30 	adjacent state does not charge a fee for the same activity.

28.1 	Sec. 51. REQUIRED RULEMAKING.
 28.2 	The commissioner of natural resources may use the good cause exemption under 
28.3 	Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules conforming to 
28.4 	this article. Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply to rules adopted under this 
28.5 	section, except as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388.

28.6 	Sec. 52. REPEALER.
 28.7 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 97A.015, subdivision 27a; and 97A.485, subdivision 
28.8 	13, are repealed.

28.9 	Sec. 53. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 28.10 	Sections 1 to 52 are effective upon full implementation of the replacement electronic 
28.11 	license system.  The commissioner of natural resources must notify the revisor of statutes 
28.12 	when the replacement electronic license system is fully implemented.

28.13 	ARTICLE 2
28.14 	BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES

28.15 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103B.101, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
28.16 		Subd. 13.Drainage stakeholder coordination. (a) The Board of Water and Soil 
28.17 	Resources shall work with drainage stakeholders to foster mutual understanding and provide 
28.18 	recommendations for drainage system management and related water management, including 
28.19 	recommendations for updating the drainage law in chapter 103E, the Minnesota Public 
28.20 	Drainage Manual, and other related provisions. The board may convene informal working 
28.21 	groups or work teams to develop information, education, and recommendations.
28.22 	(b) For the purposes of this subdivision, the Minnesota Public Drainage Manual is a 
28.23 	publication that is prepared by and adopted by the board and that includes explanations, 
28.24 	procedures, and guidance consistent with and supplementing the provisions of chapter 103E. 
28.25 	The manual must include best management practices and be prepared in consultation with 
28.26 	drainage stakeholders according to paragraph (a) for use by drainage authorities in carrying 
28.27 	out statutory duties.

29.1 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.005, is amended to read:
29.2 	103C.005 SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION POLICY.
29.3 	Maintaining and enhancing the quality of soil and water for the environmental and 
29.4 	economic benefits they produce, preventing degradation, and restoring degraded soil and 
29.5 	water resources of this state contribute greatly to the health, safety, economic well-being, 
29.6 	and general welfare of this state and its citizens. Land occupiers have the responsibility to 
29.7 	implement practices that conserve the soil and water resources of the state. Soil and water 
29.8 	conservation measures implemented on private lands in this state provide benefits to the 
29.9 	general public by reducing erosion, sedimentation, siltation, water pollution, and damages 
29.10 	caused by floods. The soil and water conservation policy of the state is to encourage land 
29.11 	occupiers to conserve soil, water, and the natural resources they support through the 
29.12 	implementation of practices that:
29.13 	(1) control or prevent erosion, sedimentation, siltation, and related pollution in order to 
29.14 	preserve natural resources;
29.15 	(2) ensure continued soil health, as defined under section 103C.101, subdivision 10a, 
29.16 	and soil productivity;
29.17 	(3) protect water quality;
29.18 	(4) prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs;
29.19 	(5) reduce damages caused by floods;
29.20 	(6) preserve wildlife;
29.21 	(7) protect the tax base; and
29.22 	(8) protect public lands and waters.

29.23 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.221, is amended to read:
29.24 	103C.221 CHANGING LOCATION OF PRINCIPAL OFFICE.
29.25 	The location of the principal office of the district board may be changed with the approval 
29.26 	of the state board after the adoption of a resolution by a majority of the district board stating 
29.27 	the new location within the district and by filing a certified copy of the resolution with the 
29.28 	secretary of state.

30.1 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
30.2 		Subd. 3.Surveys, investigations, and research. A district may conduct surveys, 
30.3 	investigations, and research to identify the problems and preventive practices specified in 
30.4 	section 103A.206 103C.005. To avoid duplication of research activities, no district shall 
30.5 	initiate any research program except in cooperation with a state agency or an agency of the 
30.6 	United States.

30.7 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
30.8 		Subd. 5.Demonstration projects. A district may conduct demonstration projects within 
30.9 	the district on lands owned or administered by a state agency, with the cooperation of the 
30.10 	administering agency, and on other lands with the consent of the land occupier, to 
30.11 	demonstrate practices which implement the state policy specified in section 103A.206
30.12 	103C.005.

30.13 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
30.14 		Subd. 6.Implementing practices. A district may implement any necessary practices 
30.15 	within the district, including structural measures and works of improvement for any purpose 
30.16 	specified in section 103A.206, methods of cultivation, the use of vegetation, and changes 
30.17 	in use of landto achieve the purposes of this chapter and fulfill other statutory responsibilities, 
30.18 	on:
30.19 	(1) lands acquired by the district;
30.20 	(2) lands owned or administered by a state public agency, with the cooperation of the 
30.21 	administering agency; and
30.22 	(3) other lands, with the consent of the land occupier.

30.23 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
30.24 		Subd. 7.Implementing soil and water conservation policy. A district may cooperate 
30.25 	or enter into agreements with and furnish financial or other aid to a land occupier or 
30.26 	appropriate agency, to implement the policy specified in section 103A.206, within the district
30.27 	this chapter and fulfill other statutory responsibilities, subject to conditions the district board 
30.28 	determines is are necessary.

31.1 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
31.2 		Subd. 8.Acquiring and maintaining property. A district may acquire any rights or 
31.3 	interests in real or personal property by option, purchase, exchange, lease, gift, grant, bequest, 
31.4 	devise, or otherwise. It may maintain, operate, administer, and improve any properties 
31.5 	acquired. It may receive income from the properties and expend the income to implement 
31.6 	this chapter and sections 103F.401 to 103F.455 fulfill other statutory responsibilities. It 
31.7 	may sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of its property or interests.

31.8 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
31.9 		Subd. 9.Using machinery and supplies. A district may make available, on terms it 
31.10 	shall prescribe prescribes, to land occupiers within the district, agricultural and engineering 
31.11 	machinery and equipment, fertilizer, seeds, and seedlings, and other material or equipment 
31.12 	which will assist that helps land occupiers to implement practices on their land specified in 
31.13 	section 103C.005 to implement this chapter and fulfill other statutory responsibilities.

31.14 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
31.15 		Subd. 10.Constructing improvements. A district may construct, install, improve, 
31.16 	maintain, and operate structures and works necessary or convenient to perform an operation 
31.17 	authorized under this chapter and sections 103F.401 to 103F.455 other statutory authority.

31.18 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
31.19 		Subd. 11.Comprehensive plan. (a) A district may develop and revise a comprehensive 
31.20 	plan, specifying practices to implement the state policy specified in section 103A.206, 
31.21 	including fulfill statutory responsibilities. The plan may include:
31.22 	(1) the construction, maintenance, and operation of structural measures;
31.23 	(2) methods of cultivation;
31.24 	(3) the use of vegetation;
31.25 	(4) cropping programs;
31.26 	(5) mechanical practices;
31.27 	(6) changes in use of land;
31.28 	(7) water quality improvement practices;
31.29 	(8) other land use, soil erosion reduction, and agricultural practices; and
32.1 	(9) related technical standards and specifications.; and
32.2 	(10) other practices, projects, programs, and systems to fulfill statutory responsibilities.
32.3 	(b) The plan shall include a classification of the soil types within the district as determined 
32.4 	by the Minnesota Cooperative Soil Survey.
32.5 	(c) The plan must identify the areas within the district where erosion, sedimentation, 
32.6 	and related water quality problems appear most in need of control methods.
32.7 	(d) (b) The plan shall must be consistent with the statewide framework water resources 
32.8 	plan, the statewide water quality management plan, and the state board's soil and water 
32.9 	program plan frameworks as provided in chapter 103B.
32.10 	(e) Each district that applies for cost-sharing funds under section 103C.501 shall submit 
32.11 	to the state board an annual work plan for the high priority erosion, sedimentation, and water 
32.12 	quality problems in the district. The work plan shall be prepared as required by the rules of 
32.13 	the state board. In preparing the annual work plan, the district shall actively identify and 
32.14 	seek out land occupiers with high priority erosion problems who have not participated in 
32.15 	cost-sharing contracts and encourage their participation in programs to control their erosion 
32.16 	problems.
32.17 	(c) At least 60 days before submitting the plan to the state board, the district must hold 
32.18 	a public hearing on the plan and provide notice of the hearing via the district's website. The 
32.19 	district must give notice of the hearing to the county and all affected cities and towns. To 
32.20 	allow for public input, the district must also administer a review and comment period of at 
32.21 	least 30 days before submitting the plan.
32.22 	(d) The district must submit the plan to the state board for review and approval before 
32.23 	adopting the plan at a district meeting.

32.24 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
32.25 		Subd. 12.Assuming other conservation projects. (a) A district may take over by 
32.26 	purchase, lease, or otherwise, and may improve, maintain, operate, and administer a soil or 
32.27 	water conservation, erosion-control, erosion-prevention, water quality improvement, 
32.28 	watershed protection, flood prevention, or flood control project in its boundaries undertaken 
32.29 	by the United States or by a state public agency.
32.30 	(b) A district may accept donations, gifts, grants, or contributions in money, services, 
32.31 	materials, or otherwise from the United States, a statepublic agency, or other source to 
32.32 	accomplish the authorization in this section statutory responsibilities. A board district may 
33.1 	enter into a contract or agreement necessary or appropriate to accomplish the transfer. A 
33.2 	board district  may use or expend money, services, materials, or other things to accomplish 
33.3 	an authorized purpose.

33.4 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
33.5 		Subd. 13.Authority to sue and contract. A district may sue and be sued in its name, 
33.6 	have perpetual succession unless terminated as provided in section 103C.225, make and 
33.7 	execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers, 
33.8 	and make, amend, or repeal rules and regulations consistent with this chapter and sections 
33.9 	103F.401 to 103F.455 other statutory authority.

33.10 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
33.11 		Subd. 14.Compensation for work or projects. As a condition for extending benefits 
33.12 	for the performance of work, including operations and maintenance, upon lands not owned 
33.13 	or administered by a statepublic agency or the district, the supervisors district may require 
33.14 	compensation or contributions in money, services, materials, or otherwise, commensurate 
33.15 	with the cost or reasonable value of the operations or work conferring the benefits.

33.16 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
33.17 		Subd. 15.Agreements for state or federal assistance. (a) A district may submit an 
33.18 	application apply for and enter into an agreement or contract with the secretary of agriculture 
33.19 	or other designated authority to obtain or use state or federal funding or assistance under 
33.20 	any law providing for state or federal funding or assistance for an authorized purpose of the 
33.21 	district.
33.22 	(b) A district may:
33.23 	(1) acquire without cost to the federal government any land, easements, or rights-of-way 
33.24 	needed in connection with works of improvement installed with federal or state assistance
33.25 	or funding;
33.26 	(2) assume the proportionate share of the cost of installing works of improvement 
33.27 	involving state or federal funding or assistance determined by the secretary or other 
33.28 	designated authority to be that is equitable in consideration of anticipated benefits from the 
33.29 	improvements;
34.1 	(3) make arrangements satisfactory to the secretary or other authority arrange to defray 
34.2 	costs of operating and maintaining works of improvement in accordance with prescribed 
34.3 	regulations;
34.4 	(4) acquire or provide assurance that land occupiers have acquired the water rights and 
34.5 	other rights, pursuant to state law, needed to install, maintain, and operate the works of 
34.6 	improvement; and
34.7 	(5) obtain agreements to carry out recommended soil and water conservation measures 
34.8 	and prepare farm plans for owners of not less than 50 percent or other required percentage 
34.9 	of the lands situated in a drainage area above a retention reservoir installed with federal 
34.10 	assistance, as prescribed by applicable federal law, and may do any other acts necessary to 
34.11 	secure and use federal aid.

34.12 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, subdivision 16, is amended to read:
34.13 		Subd. 16.Budget. The district board shall annually present a budget consisting of an 
34.14 	itemized statement of district expenses for the ensuing calendar year to the boards of county 
34.15 	commissioners of the counties in which the district is located. The county boards may levy 
34.16 	an annual tax on all taxable real property in the district for the amount that the boards 
34.17 	determine is necessary to meet the requirements of the district. The amount levied shall be 
34.18 	collected and distributed to the district as prescribed by chapter 276. The amount may be 
34.19 	spent by the district board for a district purpose authorized by law.

34.20 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, is amended by adding a subdivision 
34.21 	to read:
34.22 		Subd. 21.Water and soil resource management. A district may initiate, construct, 
34.23 	operate, and maintain water and soil resource management practices, projects, programs, 
34.24 	and systems within the boundaries of the district and use, supplement, or otherwise coordinate 
34.25 	contributions from state, federal, Tribal, or local governments and private entities for similar 
34.26 	purposes.

34.27 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103C.331, is amended by adding a subdivision 
34.28 	to read:
34.29 		Subd. 22.Loans. The district may obtain loans when the district determines it is prudent 
34.30 	to accomplish its statutory duties.

35.1 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.011, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
35.2 		Subd. 10.Engineer. "Engineer" means the a licensed professional engineer as described 
35.3 	in section 326.02 and designated by the managers to act as engineer. The board of managers 
35.4 	or the engineer may work in cooperation with other licensed professionals as described in 
35.5 	section 326.02 in the planning and design of a watershed district project.

35.6 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.201, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
35.7 		Subd. 2.Specific purposes. A watershed district may be established for and use its 
35.8 	powers to advance any of the following purposes:
35.9 	(1) to control or alleviate damage from floodwaters to promote climate resilience;
35.10 	(2) to protect, improve stream channels, or restore watercourses and water basins for 
35.11 	drainage, navigation, water quality, flood mitigation, and any other public purpose;
35.12 	(3) to reclaim manage impacts to, restore, or fill replace wet and overflowed land;
35.13 	(4) to provide a water supply for irrigation;
35.14 	(5) to regulate and conserve the flow of streams and conserve the streams' water
35.15 	watercourses;
35.16 	(6) to divert or change all or part of watercourses;
35.17 	(7) (6) to provide or conserve water supply for domestic, industrial, recreational, 
35.18 	agricultural, or other public use;
35.19 	(8) (7) to provide for sanitation and public health, and regulate the use of streams, ditches, 
35.20 	or watercourses to dispose of waste;
35.21 	(9) (8) to repair, improve, relocate, modify, consolidate, and abandon all or part of 
35.22 	drainage systems within a watershed district;
35.23 	(10) (9) to control or alleviate soil erosion and siltation of watercourses or water basins;
35.24 	(11) (10) to regulate improvements by riparian property owners of the beds, banks, and 
35.25 	shores of lakes, streams, and wetlands for preservation and beneficial public use;
35.26 	(12) (11) to provide for hydroelectric power generation;
35.27 	(13) (12) to protect or enhance the water quality in watercourses or water basins; and
35.28 	(14) (13) to provide for the protection of groundwater and regulate its use to preserve it 
35.29 	for beneficial purposes.; and
36.1 	(14) to otherwise manage and protect surface waters and groundwaters for any beneficial 
36.2 	purpose.

36.3 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.205, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
36.4 		Subd. 4.Filing establishment petitions. The petitioners must file a copy of the 
36.5 	establishment petition with the auditors of the counties affected by the proposed watershed 
36.6 	district,and the commissioner, and the director. The original establishment petition, with 
36.7 	a signed statement of delivery or receipt for each of the establishment petitions submitted 
36.8 	to the auditors of affected counties, the commissioners, and the directors, director must be 
36.9 	filed with the board.

36.10 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.251, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
36.11 		Subd. 5.Petition signatures. (a) A petition for a watershed boundary change must be 
36.12 	signed by:
36.13 	(1) at least one-half of the counties within the proposed watershed district if the boundary 
36.14 	change were adopted;
36.15 	(2) counties having at least 50 percent of the area within the proposed watershed district 
36.16 	if the boundary change were adopted;
36.17 	(3) a majority of the cities within the proposed watershed district if the boundary change 
36.18 	were adopted;
36.19 	(4) at least 50 resident owners or 50 percent of resident owners, whichever is less, in 
36.20 	the proposed watershed district if the area to be added or removed by the proposed boundary 
36.21 	change if it were adopted, excluding resident owners within the corporate limits of a city, 
36.22 	if the city has signed the petition; or
36.23 	(5) the managers of a watershed district affected by the proposed boundary change.
36.24 	(b) The managers must pass a resolution authorizing the boundary change before the 
36.25 	managers sign a petition for a boundary change.

36.26 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.251, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
36.27 		Subd. 6.Hearing. The board must set a time and location for a hearing and give notice 
36.28 	of the hearing in the same manner as an establishment hearing. The board must also give 
36.29 	notice of the hearing by mail at least ten days before the hearing to the watershed district 
36.30 	affected by the proposed boundary change. If a petition for a boundary change involves a 
37.1 	common boundary of two or more watershed districts, the board must determine the 
37.2 	watershed district where the hearing will be held.

37.3 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.255, is amended to read:
37.4 	103D.255 WITHDRAWING TERRITORY.
37.5 		Subdivision 1.Petition. (a) Proceedings to withdraw territory from an existing watershed 
37.6 	district must be initiated by a petition filed with the board.
37.7 	(b) A majority of the managers may file a petition for withdrawal. Otherwise, the required 
37.8 	signatures on a petition for withdrawal are the same as prescribed for an establishment 
37.9 	petition, but the percentages must be calculated only with reference to the territory that is 
37.10 	proposed to be withdrawn from the watershed district.
37.11 	(c) The petition must state that:
37.12 	(1) the territory described has not received or will not receive any benefits from the 
37.13 	operation of the watershed districts;
37.14 	(2) the watershed district can perform the functions for which it was established without 
37.15 	the inclusion of the territory; and
37.16 	(3) the territory is not, in fact, a part of the watershed.
37.17 	(d) The petition must request the release of the described territory from the watershed 
37.18 	district.
37.19 	(e) The petition must be served on the board and any affected watershed district, and 
37.20 	the board shall proceed as prescribed for an establishment petition. The requirements for 
37.21 	notices and public hearings are as prescribed for the establishment petition. The board must 
37.22 	also give notice of the hearing by mail at least ten days before the hearing to each watershed 
37.23 	district affected by the proposed withdrawal of territory.
37.24 		Subd. 2.Board's order of withdrawal. (a) After the hearing, the board may issue an 
37.25 	order releasing the territory, or a part of the territory, as described in the petition, if the 
37.26 	board determines that:
37.27 	(1) the territory described in the petition has not received and will not receive any benefit 
37.28 	from the operation of the watershed district;
37.29 	(2) the watershed district can perform the functions for which it was established without 
37.30 	the inclusion of the territory; and
37.31 	(3) the territory is not, in fact, a part of the watershed.
38.1 	(b) Property may not be released that has been determined subject to benefits or damages 
38.2 	for a project previously constructed.
38.3 	(c) Property released remains liable for the proportionate share of any indebtedness 
38.4 	existing at the time of the order. Levies on the property released continue in force until fully 
38.5 	paid.
38.6 	(d) If the board determines that the order prescribing the distribution of managers should 
38.7 	be amended following the withdrawal of any territory, the board may direct redistribution 
38.8 	of managers in the order authorizing the withdrawal.
38.9 	(e) The board must file a certified copy of the findings and order of withdrawal with the 
38.10 	secretary of state, the auditor of each county affected by the watershed district, the 
38.11 	commissioner, and the watershed district.

38.12 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.261, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
38.13 		Subdivision 1.Petition. (a) Proceedings to enlarge an existing watershed district must 
38.14 	be initiated by a petition filed with the board. A majority of the managers may file a petition. 
38.15 	Otherwise, the required signatures on a petition to enlarge are the same as for an 
38.16 	establishment petition, but the percentages must be calculated only with reference to the 
38.17 	territory that is proposed to be added to the watershed district. The petition must:
38.18 	(1) state that the area to be added is contiguous to the existing watershed district;
38.19 	(2) state that the area can be feasibly administered by the managers of the existing 
38.20 	watershed district;
38.21 	(3) state reasons why adding the area to the existing watershed district would be 
38.22 	conducive to the public health and welfare;
38.23 	(4) include a map of the affected area;
38.24 	(5) state the name of the proposed enlarged watershed district, if other than that of the 
38.25 	existing watershed district; and
38.26 	(6) state a request for the addition of the proposed territory.
38.27 	(b) The petition must be served on the board and affected watershed districts, and the 
38.28 	board must proceed as prescribed for an establishment petition.
38.29 	(c) The requirement of notice and public hearings is as prescribed for the establishment 
38.30 	petition. The board must also give notice of the hearing by mail at least ten days before the 
38.31 	hearing to each watershed district affected by the proposed enlargement.

39.1 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.261, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
39.2 		Subd. 2.Board order. (a) After the hearing, if the board determines that the enlargement 
39.3 	of the watershed district as asked for in the petition would be for the public welfare and 
39.4 	public interest and the purpose of this chapter would be served, the board shall, by making 
39.5 	findings and an order, enlarge the watershed district and file a certified copy of the findings 
39.6 	and order with the secretary of state, the auditor of each county affected by the watershed 
39.7 	district, the director, and the watershed district.
39.8 	(b) The name of the watershed district may be changed by order of the board if requested 
39.9 	in the petition to enlarge the watershed district.

39.10 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.271, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
39.11 		Subd. 7.Termination hearing order. When the board determines a termination petition 
39.12 	has been filed that meets the requirements of subdivisions 4 and 5, the board must, by order, 
39.13 	set a time by within 35 days after of its determination, set a time and a location within the 
39.14 	watershed district for a termination hearing or, if publicly accessible facilities are not 
39.15 	available within the watershed district, at the nearest suitable publicly accessible facility. 
39.16 	The board must have each manager of the watershed district personally served with a copy 
39.17 	of the order.

39.18 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.301, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
39.19 		Subdivision 1.More than one affected county. If more than one county is affected by 
39.20 	a watershed district, the board must provide that managers are distributed by residence 
39.21 	among the counties affected by the watershed district and in consideration of the counties' 
39.22 	portion of the land area and net tax capacity of the watershed.

39.23 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.301, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
39.24 		Subd. 3.Redistribution. (a) After ten years from the establishment of the watershed 
39.25 	district, the county board of commissioners of a county affected by the watershed district 
39.26 	may petition the board to redistribute the managers. After holding a public hearing on 
39.27 	redistributing the managers, the board may redistribute the managers among the counties 
39.28 	affected by the watershed district if the redistribution is in accordance with the policy and 
39.29 	purposes of this chapter.
39.30 	(b) A petition for the redistribution of managers may not be filed with the board more 
39.31 	often than once in ten years.
40.1 	(c) If more than one county is affected by a watershed district, the board must distribute 
40.2 	the one-, two-, and three-year terms among counties affected by the watershed district. The 
40.3 	board may redistribute the three-year terms upon redistributing the managers among the 
40.4 	affected counties or upon increasing the number of managers.

40.5 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.305, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
40.6 		Subd. 2.Petition signatures. The petition to increase the number of managers must 
40.7 	request the increase and be signed by one or more of the following groups:
40.8 	(1) one-half or more of the counties within the watershed district;
40.9 	(2) counties with 50 percent or more of the area within the watershed district;
40.10 	(3) a majority or greater number of the cities within the watershed district;
40.11 	(4) 50 or more resident owners residing in the watershed district, excluding resident 
40.12 	owners within the corporate limits of a city if the city has signed the petition; or
40.13 	(5) the managers of the watershed district, by resolution adopted by a majority of the 
40.14 	managers of the watershed district.

40.15 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.305, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
40.16 		Subd. 5.Hearing. (a) If the board determines at the hearing that an increase in the 
40.17 	number of managers would benefit the public welfare, public interest, and the purpose of 
40.18 	this chapter, the board must increase the number of managers. The board must make findings 
40.19 	and an order accordingly and file a certified copy of the findings and order with the secretary 
40.20 	of state, the auditor of each county affected by the watershed district, the director, and the 
40.21 	watershed district. The board's order must prescribe the terms for the new managers to be 
40.22 	appointed by the designated county board or boards.
40.23 	(b) If the watershed district affects more than one county, the board, by order, must 
40.24 	direct the distribution of the managers among the affected counties.

40.25 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.311, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
40.26 		Subd. 4.Record of appointed managers. A record of all appointments made under this 
40.27 	section must be filed with the county auditor of each county affected by the watershed 
40.28 	district, the secretary or administrator of the board of managers, and the Board of Water 
40.29 	and Soil Resources.

41.1 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.315, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
41.2 		Subd. 9.First meeting of managers. (a) Within ten 30 days after the first board of 
41.3 	managers has received notice by personal service of their selection, the managers must meet 
41.4 	at the watershed district's principal place of business.
41.5 	(b) At the first meeting, the managers must take the oath under subdivision 1, provide 
41.6 	a bond under subdivision 2, elect officers under subdivision 3, and appoint an advisory 
41.7 	committee under section 103D.331.

41.8 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.315, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
41.9 		Subd. 10.Meetings. The managers shall meet annually and at other necessary times to 
41.10 	transact the business of the watershed district. A meeting may be called at any time at the 
41.11 	request of any manager according to chapter 13D. When a manager requests a meeting, the 
41.12 	secretary of the watershed district must mail a notice of the meeting to each member at least 
41.13 	eight days before the meeting.

41.14 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.321, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
41.15 		Subdivision 1.Unavailable public facilities. If public publicly accessible facilities are 
41.16 	not available for a watershed district's principal place of business within the watershed 
41.17 	district, the board shall determine and designate the nearest suitable public publicly accessible
41.18 	facility as the watershed district's principal place of business. The principal place of business 
41.19 	is the location of the watershed district's office or, if the district has no office, the location 
41.20 	of regular meetings of the board of managers.

41.21 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.331, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
41.22 		Subd. 2.Members. (a) The advisory committee consists of at least five members. If 
41.23 	practicable, the advisory committee members selected should include a representative from 
41.24 	each soil and water conservation district, a representative of each county, a member of a 
41.25 	sporting organization, and a member of a farm organization, and a representative of each 
41.26 	federally recognized Tribal government within the watershed district. Other advisory 
41.27 	committee members may be appointed at the discretion of the managers. The members must 
41.28 	be residents of the watershed district, except representatives from Tribal nations, soil and 
41.29 	water conservation districts, and counties, and serve at the pleasure of the managers.
41.30 	(b) In addition, the managers may appoint other interested and technical persons who 
41.31 	may or may not reside within the watershed district to serve at the pleasure of the managers.

42.1 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.335, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
42.2 		Subd. 11.Acquiring or disposing of property. The managers may acquire by gift, 
42.3 	purchase, taking under the procedures of this chapter, or by the power of eminent domain, 
42.4 	necessary real and personal property. The managers may dispose of real or personal property 
42.5 	when the property no longer serves a purpose of the watershed district. The watershed 
42.6 	district may acquire property outside the watershed district where necessary for a water 
42.7 	supply system.

42.8 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.341, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
42.9 		Subdivision 1.Requirement. The managers must adopt rules to accomplish the purposes 
42.10 	of this chapter and to implement the regulatory powers of the managers.

42.11 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.345, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
42.12 		Subd. 4.Bond; financial assurance. The managers may require an applicant for a permit 
42.13 	to file a bond or other form of financial assurance with the managers in an amount set by 
42.14 	the managers and conditioned on performance by the applicant of authorized activities in 
42.15 	conformance with the terms of the permit.

42.16 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.355, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
42.17 		Subdivision 1.Requirement. The managers must have an annual audit completed of 
42.18 	the books and accounts of the watershed district. The annual audit may be made by a private 
42.19 	certified public accountant or by the state auditor. The managers must submit the annual 
42.20 	audit report to the board and the state auditor's office within 180 days of the end of the 
42.21 	watershed district's fiscal year.

42.22 	Sec. 41. [103D.357] REMOVAL OF MANAGERS.
42.23 	After being provided an opportunity for a hearing before the appointing authority, a 
42.24 	manager of a watershed district may be removed from the position by a majority vote of 
42.25 	the appointing authority before term expiration for violation of a code of ethics of the 
42.26 	watershed district or appointing authority or for malfeasance, nonfeasance, or misfeasance.

42.27 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.401, is amended to read:
42.28 	103D.401 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN.
42.29 		Subdivision 1.Contents. (a) The managers must adopt and maintain a watershed 
42.30 	management plan for any or all of to exercise the powers of a watershed district and fulfill
43.1 	the purposes for which a watershed district may be established. The watershed management 
43.2 	plan must give a narrative description of existing water and water-related problems within 
43.3 	the watershed district, possible solutions to the problems, and the general objectives of the 
43.4 	watershed district. The watershed management plan must also conform closely with 
43.5 	watershed management plan guidelines as adopted and amended from time to time by the 
43.6 	Board of Water and Soil Resources. The authority to adopt and maintain a watershed 
43.7 	management plan under this section is retained notwithstanding a watershed district's 
43.8 	participation in a comprehensive watershed management planning program under section 
43.9 	103B.801.
43.10 	(b) The watershed management plan may include a separate section on proposed projects. 
43.11 	If the watershed district is within the metropolitan area, the separate section of proposed 
43.12 	projects or petitions for projects to be undertaken according to the watershed management 
43.13 	plan is a comprehensive plan of the watershed district for purposes of review by the 
43.14 	Metropolitan Council under section 473.165.
43.15 		Subd. 2.Review Reviewing draft plan. The managers must send a copy of the proposed 
43.16 	watershed management plan for a 60-day review and comment period to the county auditor 
43.17 	of each county affected by the watershed district, the board, the commissioner, the director, 
43.18 	the governing body of each municipality affected by the watershed district, and soil and 
43.19 	water conservation districts affected by the watershed district. For a watershed district within 
43.20 	the metropolitan area, a copy of the proposed watershed management plan must also be 
43.21 	submitted to the Metropolitan Council. At least ten days before the public hearing, the 
43.22 	watershed district must respond in writing to all comments by the reviewing parties.
43.23 		Subd. 3.Director's and Metropolitan Council's recommendations. After receiving 
43.24 	the watershed management plan, the director and the Metropolitan Council must review 
43.25 	and make recommendations on the watershed management plan. By 60 days after receiving 
43.26 	the plan, the director and the Metropolitan Council must send their recommendations on 
43.27 	the watershed management plan to the board and a copy to the managers of the watershed 
43.28 	district, the county auditor of each county affected by the watershed district, the governing 
43.29 	bodies of all municipalities affected by the watershed district, and soil and water conservation 
43.30 	districts affected by the watershed district. The board may extend the period for review and 
43.31 	transmittal of the recommendations.
43.32 		Subd. 4.Hearing notice. (a) The boardmanagers must give notice and hold a watershed 
43.33 	management plan hearing on the proposed watershed management plan by 45 no later than 
43.34 	60 days after receiving the director's and Metropolitan Council's recommendations the close 
43.35 	of the 60-day review and comment period.
44.1 	(b) The board managers must give notice of the watershed management plan hearing by 
44.2 	publication in a legal newspaper that is published in counties affected by the watershed 
44.3 	district. The last publication must occur at least ten days before the watershed management 
44.4 	plan hearing.
44.5 	(c) The board managers must give notice of the watershed management plan hearing by 
44.6 	mail to the auditors of counties and to the chief executive officials of municipalities affected 
44.7 	by the watershed district.
44.8 	(d) The notice must include:
44.9 	(1) a statement that a copy of the proposed watershed management plan has been filed 
44.10 	with the board, the Metropolitan Council, where applicable, the auditors of counties affected 
44.11 	by the proposed watershed district, the commissioner, the director, the governing body of 
44.12 	each municipality affected by the watershed district, and the soil and water conservation 
44.13 	districts affected by the watershed district;
44.14 	(2) a general description of the purpose of the watershed district;
44.15 	(3) a general description of the property included in the watershed district;
44.16 	(4) a general description of the proposed watershed management plan;
44.17 	(5) the date, time, and location of the hearing; and
44.18 	(6) a statement that all persons affected or interested in the watershed district may attend 
44.19 	and give statements at the watershed management plan hearing.
44.20 		Subd. 5.Board approval. (a) After the watershed management plan hearing, the board
44.21 	managers must submit the draft plan, any amendments to the draft plan, all written comments 
44.22 	received on the draft plan, a record of the public hearing, and a summary of changes 
44.23 	incorporated as a result of the review process to the board for final review. The board must 
44.24 	review the plan for conformance with this chapter.
44.25 	(b) The board must not prescribe a plan but may disapprove all or parts of a plan that 
44.26 	the board finds does not conform with this chapter. The board must complete its review 
44.27 	within 90 days and, by order, prescribe and approve, disapprove, or approve with conditions
44.28 	a watershed management plan for the watershed district. The board must send a copy of the 
44.29 	order and approved watershed management plan to the managers, the county board of each 
44.30 	county affected by the watershed district, the commissioner, the director, the Metropolitan 
44.31 	Council, where applicable, the governing body of each municipality affected by the watershed 
44.32 	district, and soil and water conservation districts affected by the watershed district. The 
45.1 	watershed management plan approved by the board is the watershed management plan for 
45.2 	the watershed district.
45.3 	(c) A watershed district may seek reconsideration of a decision of the board concerning 
45.4 	its plan or capital improvement program within 60 days of receiving the decision by filing 
45.5 	an appeal to the board's dispute resolution committee established under section 103B.101, 
45.6 	subdivision 10. The dispute resolution committee must complete its reconsideration and 
45.7 	make a recommendation to the board, which must issue a final decision within 90 days of 
45.8 	the appeal.
45.9 		Subd. 6.Adoption. Within 120 days of the board's order, the managers must adopt a 
45.10 	plan in compliance with the board's order. The managers must send a copy of the order and 
45.11 	approved watershed management plan to the board, the county board of each county affected 
45.12 	by the watershed district, the commissioner, the director, the governing body of each 
45.13 	municipality affected by the watershed district, and soil and water conservation districts 
45.14 	affected by the watershed district. The watershed management plan approved by the board 
45.15 	and adopted by the managers is the watershed management plan for the watershed district.
45.16 		Subd. 7.Amendments. (a) To the extent and in the manner required by the adopted 
45.17 	plan, all amendments to the adopted plan must be submitted to the towns, cities, counties, 
45.18 	and state review agencies and to the board for review according to subdivisions 2 to 5, 
45.19 	except when the proposed amendments are determined to be minor amendments according 
45.20 	to the following requirements:
45.21 	(1) the board has either agreed that the amendments are minor or failed to act within 
45.22 	five working days of the end of the comment period specified in clause (2), unless an 
45.23 	extension is mutually agreed upon with the watershed district;
45.24 	(2) the watershed district has sent copies of the amendments to the plan review authorities 
45.25 	for review and comment, allowing at least 30 days for receipt of comments; has indicated 
45.26 	that the minor amendment procedure is being followed; and has directed that comments be 
45.27 	sent to the watershed district and the board;
45.28 	(3) no county board has filed an objection to the amendments with the watershed district 
45.29 	and the board within the comment period specified in clause (2), unless an extension is 
45.30 	mutually agreed upon by the county and the watershed district; and
45.31 	(4) the watershed district has held a public meeting to explain the amendments and 
45.32 	published a legal notice of the meeting twice, at least seven days and 14 days before the 
45.33 	date of the meeting.
46.1 	(b) The following changes to a plan do not require an amendment, but must be distributed 
46.2 	to agencies and local units of government receiving an adopted plan under subdivision 6:
46.3 	(1) formatting or reorganizing the plan;
46.4 	(2) revising a procedure meant to streamline administration of the plan;
46.5 	(3) clarifying existing plan goals or policies;
46.6 	(4) including additional data not requiring interpretation;
46.7 	(5) expanding a public process; or
46.8 	(6) adjusting how a watershed district carries out program activities within the district's 
46.9 	discretion.

46.10 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.405, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
46.11 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. (a) The managers and the board must revise the watershed 
46.12 	management plan for the watershed district at least once every ten years after the original 
46.13 	watershed management plan is approved. The revised watershed management plan of the 
46.14 	district must conform closely with adopted watershed management plan guidelines of the 
46.15 	board of Water and Soil Resources.
46.16 	(b) The managers must include the following items in the revised watershed management 
46.17 	plan:
46.18 	(1) updates and supplements of the existing hydrological and other statistical data of the 
46.19 	watershed district;
46.20 	(2) specific projects and programs to be considered for implementation;
46.21 	(3) a statement of the extent that the purposes for which the watershed district had been 
46.22 	established have been accomplished;
46.23 	(4) a description of problems requiring future action by the watershed district;
46.24 	(5) a summary of completed studies on active or planned projects, including financial 
46.25 	data; and
46.26 	(6) an analysis of the effectiveness of the watershed district's rules and permits in 
46.27 	achieving its water management objectives in the watershed district.
46.28 	(c) A revised watershed management plan must be transmitted, reviewed, recommended, 
46.29 	and approved as provided in subdivisions 2 to 4 and 6.

47.1 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.535, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
47.2 		Subd. 3.Appeals from managers' orders. (a) If an appeal is taken from an order 
47.3 	authorizing a project, a trial of an appeal of benefits or damages from the proceedings must 
47.4 	be stayed until the appeal is decided. If the order authorizing the project is affirmed, a trial 
47.5 	of an appeal of benefits or damages may commence.
47.6 	(b) If the appeal is from an order refusing to authorize a project and the court or the 
47.7 	board later orders the project, the secretary or administrator of the watershed district shall 
47.8 	give notice by publication of the filing of the order. The notice is sufficient if it refers to 
47.9 	the proposed project by general description and recites the substance of the order and the 
47.10 	date of filing in the court.

47.11 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.701, is amended to read:
47.12 	103D.701 PROJECT INITIATION.
47.13 	Projects may not be initiated until the board approves a watershed management plan for 
47.14 	the watershed district. The projects A project of the watershed district that are to be paid 
47.15 	for by assessment of the benefited properties must be initiated:
47.16 	(1) by a project petition filed with the managers;
47.17 	(2) by unanimous resolution of a majority of the members of the board of managers; or
47.18 	(3) as otherwise prescribed by this chapter.

47.19 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.705, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
47.20 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. (a) A project within the watershed district that generally 
47.21 	conforms with the watershed management plan may be initiated by a project petition. A 
47.22 	project petition must contain:
47.23 	(1) a description of the proposed project and the purpose to be accomplished;
47.24 	(2) a description of the property where the proposed project passes over or is located;
47.25 	(3) a general description of the part of the watershed district that will be affected, if less 
47.26 	than the entire watershed district;
47.27 	(4) the necessity for the proposed project;
47.28 	(5) a statement that the proposed project will be conducive to public health, convenience, 
47.29 	and welfare; and
48.1 	(6) a statement that the petitioners will pay all costs and expenses that may be incurred 
48.2 	if the proceedings are dismissed or a construction or implementation contract is not awarded 
48.3 	for the proposed project.
48.4 	(b) A petition may request that the managers adopt a resolution according to section 
48.5 	103D.707, subdivision 1, to allow sources of funding other than assessment to be used in 
48.6 	whole or in part for the project. Upon adopting a requested resolution, the managers must 
48.7 	release the deposit or bond required under subdivision 3.

48.8 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.705, is amended by adding a subdivision 
48.9 	to read:
48.10 		Subd. 5.Determination. If the managers determine that a proper project petition has 
48.11 	been filed and that the proposed project promotes the public interest and welfare, is 
48.12 	practicable, and conforms with the watershed management plan of the watershed district, 
48.13 	the managers must:
48.14 	(1) identify the project by name and number; and
48.15 	(2) designate an engineer to make surveys, maps, and a report on the proposed project.

48.16 	Sec. 48. [103D.707] PROJECTS INITIATED BY MANAGERS.
48.17 		Subdivision 1.Resolution. A majority of the members of the board of managers may 
48.18 	initiate a project by a resolution finding that the project generally conforms with the 
48.19 	watershed management plan of the watershed district. The resolution must:
48.20 	(1) identify the project by name and number;
48.21 	(2) identify intended sources of project funding; and
48.22 	(3) designate an engineer to make surveys, maps, and a report on the proposed project.
48.23 		Subd. 2.Funding. (a) A project initiated under this section may be funded from one or 
48.24 	more sources of funds available to the watershed district, including but not limited to levy, 
48.25 	assessment, a water management district charge, and external sources. The availability and 
48.26 	use of a source of funding must be as specified in applicable law.
48.27 	(b) The finding under subdivision 1 as to intended sources of funding is not binding on 
48.28 	the managers. However, the procedures of this chapter must be afforded to property owners 
48.29 	affected by any subsequent decision of the managers to expand the use of assessment.
49.1 		Subd. 3.Determining benefits. Procedures in section 103D.715 for appointing resident 
49.2 	appraisers and determining benefits apply to a project initiated by resolution of the managers 
49.3 	only if and to the extent that a project is to be funded in whole or part by assessment.

49.4 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.711, is amended to read:
49.5 	103D.711 ENGINEER'S REPORT.
49.6 		Subdivision 1.Determination. If the managers determine that a proper project petition 
49.7 	has been filed, the proposed project promotes the public interest and welfare, is practicable 
49.8 	and conforms with the watershed management plan of the watershed district, the managers 
49.9 	must:
49.10 	(1) identify the project proceeding by name and number; and
49.11 	(2) designate an engineer to make surveys, maps, and a report on the proposed project.
49.12 		Subd. 2.Requirements. (a) The engineer's report must include findings and 
49.13 	recommendations about the proposed project. If the engineer finds the project feasible, the 
49.14 	engineer must provide a plan of the proposed project as part of the report. The plan must 
49.15 	include:
49.16 	(1) a map of the project area, drawn to scale, showing the location of the proposed 
49.17 	improvements, if any;
49.18 	(2) the estimated total cost of completing the project including construction, operation, 
49.19 	implementation, supervision, and administrative costs;
49.20 	(3) the acreage required as right-of-way listed by each lot and 40-acre tract or fraction 
49.21 	of the lot or tract under separate ownership, if required to implement the project; and
49.22 	(4) other details and information to inform the managers of the practicability and necessity 
49.23 	of the proposed project with the engineer's recommendations on these matters.
49.24 	(b) The map of the area must include:
49.25 	(1) the location and adequacy of the outlet, if the project is related to drainage;
49.26 	(2) the watershed of the project area;
49.27 	(3) the location of existing highways, bridges, and culverts;
49.28 	(4) the property, highways, and utilities affected by the project with the names of the 
49.29 	known property owners;
49.30 	(5) the location of public land and water affected by the project; and
50.1 	(6) other physical characteristics of the watershed necessary to understand the area.
50.2 		Subd. 3.State and federal projects. The engineer may adopt, approve, and include as 
50.3 	a part of the engineer's report a project of the state or federal government that is pertinent 
50.4 	to the project and may accept data, plats, plans, details, or information pertaining to the 
50.5 	state or federal project given to the engineerwatershed district by the state or federal agency. 
50.6 	The engineer shall may omit the items required in subdivision 2 from the engineer's report 
50.7 	if the data given by the state or federal government is sufficient to meet the requirements 
50.8 	of subdivision 2.
50.9 		Subd. 4.Hearing after unfavorable engineer's report. (a) If the project has been 
50.10 	initiated by petition and the engineer's report is unfavorable, the managers shall, by order, 
50.11 	within 35 days set a time and place within the watershed district for a hearing for the 
50.12 	petitioners to demonstrate why the managers should not refer the petition back to the 
50.13 	petitioners for further proceedings or dismiss the petition.
50.14 	(b) The hearing notice must state:
50.15 	(1) that the engineer's report is unfavorable;
50.16 	(2) that the engineer's report is on file with the managers and may be reviewed; and
50.17 	(3) the time and place for the hearing.
50.18 	(c) The managers shall mail a copy of the notice to each of the petitioners at least 14 
50.19 	days before the hearing.
50.20 		Subd. 5.Advisory reports. (a) When the engineer's report is filed with the managers, 
50.21 	the managers shall send a complete copy to the director and to the board.
50.22 	(b) The director and the board shall examine the engineer's report and by 30 days after 
50.23 	receiving the report, the director shall make a director's advisory report and the board shall 
50.24 	make a board's advisory report which must include:
50.25 	(1) a statement on whether the engineer's report is incomplete and not in accordance 
50.26 	with this chapter;
50.27 	(2) a statement of whether the engineer's report is approved as being a practical plan;
50.28 	(3) if the project as planned does not meet approval, recommendations for changes 
50.29 	considered advisable must be stated or an opinion that the proposed project or improvement 
50.30 	is not practical; and
50.31 	(4) a recommendation as to whether a soil survey appears advisable.
51.1 	(c) The director's advisory report and the board's advisory report shall be directed to and 
51.2 	filed with the managers.
51.3 	(d) The director's advisory report and the board's advisory report shall be considered 
51.4 	advisory only.
51.5 		Subd. 6.Notice for final hearing; timing. A notice may not be issued for the final 
51.6 	hearing until the board's advisory report and the director's advisory report are filed or the 
51.7 	time for filing the reports with the managers has expired. For projects initiated by the 
51.8 	managers according to section 103D.707, the managers may decide at any time not to 
51.9 	proceed to final hearing.
51.10 		Subd. 7.Form. The findings, recommendations, and content of the engineering report 
51.11 	shall conform as nearly as practicable to the requirements of this section.
51.12 		Subd. 8.Soil survey. If a soil survey is recommended to be made in the director's advisory 
51.13 	report or the board's advisory report, the engineer shall make the soil survey and a soil 
51.14 	survey report. The soil survey report must be submitted to the managers before the final 
51.15 	hearing.

51.16 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.715, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
51.17 		Subdivision 1.Appointment. After the engineer's report is filed, if the project is proposed 
51.18 	to be funded in whole or in part by assessments of benefitted land owners, the managers 
51.19 	shall, with the least possible delay, appoint three disinterested resident owners of the state 
51.20 	as appraisers.

51.21 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.729, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
51.22 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. A watershed district may establish a water management 
51.23 	district or districts in the territory within the watershed, for the purpose of collecting revenues 
51.24 	and paying the costs of projects initiated under section 103B.231, 103D.601, 103D.605, 
51.25 	103D.611, 103D.701, or 103D.730.

51.26 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.729, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
51.27 		Subd. 2.Procedure. A watershed district may establish a water management district 
51.28 	only by amendment to its plan in accordance with section 103D.411, or103D.401, or
51.29 	103B.231 for watershed districts in the metropolitan area, and compliance with subdivisions 
51.30 	3 and 4. The amendment shall must describe with particularity the territory or the area to 
51.31 	be included in the water management district, the amount of the necessary charges, the 
52.1 	methods used to determine charges, and the length of time the water management district 
52.2 	will remain in force. After adoption, the amendment shall must be filed with the county 
52.3 	auditor and county recorder of each county affected by the water management district. 
52.4 	Charges must be collected according to section 444.075, subdivision 2a. The water 
52.5 	management district may be dissolved by the procedure prescribed for the establishment of 
52.6 	the water management district.

52.7 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.731, is amended to read:
52.8 	103D.731 APPRAISERS' REPORT; EXAMINATION.
52.9 	(a) The appraisers shall prepare an appraisers' report of the benefits and damages 
52.10 	determined and file the report with the managers.
52.11 	(b) After the appraisers' report is filed, the managers shall examine the report and 
52.12 	determine whether:
52.13 	(1) the report was made in conformity with the requirements of this chapter; and
52.14 	(2) for each property to be assessed, the total benefits are greater than the total estimated
52.15 	costs and damages to be assessed.
52.16 	(c) If the managers determine the appraisers' report is inadequate in any manner, the 
52.17 	managers may return the report to the appraisers for further study and report.

52.18 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.745, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
52.19 		Subd. 3.Establishing project. (a) The managers shall make findings, order and direct 
52.20 	construction or implementation of the project, and confirm the engineer's technical report 
52.21 	and the findings of the appraisers and the appraisers' report if, at the end of the final hearing, 
52.22 	the managers find that the project will:
52.23 	(1) be conducive to public health;
52.24 	(2) promote the general welfare;
52.25 	(3) be in compliance with this chapter; and
52.26 	(4) for each property to be assessed, result in benefits that will be greater than the cost 
52.27 	of the construction or implementation and damages to be assessed.
52.28 	(b) The order may authorize the construction or implementation of the project as a whole 
52.29 	or authorize different parts of the project to be constructed separately.
53.1 	(c) The managers shall order the engineer to proceed with making the necessary surveys 
53.2 	and preparing plans and specifications that are needed to construct the project and report 
53.3 	the results of the surveys and plans to the managers.

53.4 	Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.805, is amended to read:
53.5 	103D.805 FILING MANAGERS' ORDER ESTABLISHING PROJECT.
53.6 	An order of the managers establishing the project and authorizing construction must 
53.7 	immediately be filed with the secretary or administrator of the watershed district, and a 
53.8 	certified copy of the order must be filed with the auditor of each county affected, the board, 
53.9 	the commissioner, the director, the Pollution Control Agency, and the commissioner of 
53.10 	health.

53.11 	Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.811, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
53.12 		Subd. 3.Awarding contract. (a) At a time and place specified in the bid notice, the 
53.13 	managers may accept or reject any or all bids and may award the contract to the lowest 
53.14 	responsible bidder. The bidder to whom the contract is to be awarded must give a bond, 
53.15 	with ample security as required by section 574.26, conditioned by satisfactory completion 
53.16 	of the contract.
53.17 	(b) Bids must not be considered which in the aggregate exceed by more than 30 percent 
53.18 	the total estimated cost of construction or implementation.
53.19 	(c) As an alternative to the procurement method described in paragraph (a), the managers 
53.20 	may issue a request for proposals and award the contract to the vendor or contractor offering 
53.21 	the best value as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and 
53.22 	paragraph (c).
53.23 	(d) The contract must be in writing and be accompanied by or refer to the plans and 
53.24 	specifications for the work to be done as prepared by the engineer for the watershed district. 
53.25 	The plans and specifications shall become a part of the contract.
53.26 	(e) The contract shall must be approved by the managers and signed by the president, 
53.27 	secretary, and contractor.

53.28 	Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103D.901, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
53.29 		Subd. 2.County funding. After the assessment statement is filed with the auditor, the 
53.30 	county board of each affected county shall provide funds to meet its proportionate share of 
53.31 	the total cost of the project, as shown by the engineer's report and order of the managers. 
54.1 	The county may issue bonds of the county in the manner provided by section 103E.635. If 
54.2 	an improvement is to be constructed under section 103D.611, the provisions of section 
54.3 	103E.635 requiring the county board to award a contract for construction or implementation 
54.4 	before issuing bonds is not applicable to bonds issued to provide the funds required to be 
54.5 	furnished by this section.

54.6 	Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103E.729, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
54.7 		Subd. 9.Sunset. This section expires on July 31, 2024 2029.

54.8 	Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.48, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
54.9 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have 
54.10 	the meanings given them.
54.11 	(b) "Board" means the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
54.12 	(c) "Buffer" means an area consisting of perennial vegetation, excluding invasive plants 
54.13 	and noxious weeds, adjacent to all bodies of water within the state and that protects the 
54.14 	water resources of the state from runoff pollution; stabilizes soils, shores, and banks; and 
54.15 	protects or provides riparian corridors.
54.16 	(d) "Buffer-protection map" means buffer maps established and maintained by the 
54.17 	commissioner of natural resources.
54.18 	(e) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of natural resources.
54.19 	(f) "Executive director" means the executive director of the Board of Water and Soil 
54.20 	Resources.
54.21 	(g) "Local water management authority" means a watershed district, metropolitan water 
54.22 	management organization, or county operating separately or jointly in its role as local water 
54.23 	management authority under chapter 103B or 103D.
54.24 	(h) "Normal water level" means the level evidenced by the long-term presence of surface 
54.25 	water as indicated directly by hydrophytic plants or hydric soils or indirectly determined 
54.26 	via hydrological models or analysis.
54.27 	(i) "Public waters" means public waters that are on the public waters inventory as provided 
54.28 	in section 103G.201.
54.29 	(j) "With jurisdiction" means a board determination that the county or watershed district 
54.30 	has adopted and is implementing a rule, ordinance, or official controls providing procedures 
54.31 	for the issuance of administrative penalty orders, enforcement, and appeals for purposes of 
55.1 	this section and section 103B.101, subdivision 12a. This determination is revocable by 
55.2 	board action if the adoption and implementation of a rule, an ordinance, or official controls 
55.3 	are not in compliance with the requirements of this section or board-adopted procedures.

55.4 	Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.511, is amended by adding a subdivision 
55.5 	to read:
55.6 		Subd. 1a.Agricultural crop production. "Agricultural crop production" means an 
55.7 	agricultural activity that is devoted to producing horticultural, row, close-grown, introduced 
55.8 	pasture, or introduced hayland crops  and includes but is not limited to tillage, planting, or 
55.9 	harvesting operations.

55.10 	Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.511, is amended by adding a subdivision 
55.11 	to read:
55.12 		Subd. 1b.Agricultural land. "Agricultural land" means land devoted to the following 
55.13 	uses and includes any contiguous land associated with the uses:
55.14 	(1) pasture or hayland for domestic livestock or dairy animals;
55.15 	(2) producing agricultural crops;
55.16 	(3) growing nursery stocks; or
55.17 	(4) animal feedlots.

55.18 	Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.511, is amended by adding a subdivision 
55.19 	to read:
55.20 		Subd. 1c.Approved practice. "Approved practice" means a conservation practice that 
55.21 	may be established on an easement area and that meets the requirements of section 103F.527.

55.22 	Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.511, is amended by adding a subdivision 
55.23 	to read:
55.24 		Subd. 3a.Conservation easement program. "Conservation easement program" means:
55.25 	(1) the reinvest in Minnesota reserve program under section 103F.515;
55.26 	(2) the permanent wetlands preserve program under section 103F.516;
55.27 	(3) the reinvest in Minnesota clean energy program under section 103F.518; or
55.28 	(4) the reinvest in Minnesota working lands program under section 103F.519.

56.1 	Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.511, is amended by adding a subdivision 
56.2 	to read:
56.3 		Subd. 3b.Conservation plan. "Conservation plan" means a written description and map 
56.4 	of approved practices that must be applied to or that already exist on an easement area.

56.5 	Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.511, is amended by adding a subdivision 
56.6 	to read:
56.7 		Subd. 5b.Food plot. "Food plot" means an area established to provide food for wildlife.

56.8 	Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.511, is amended by adding a subdivision 
56.9 	to read:
56.10 		Subd. 5d.Land with crop history. "Land with crop history" means land that has 
56.11 	produced horticultural, row, or close-grown crops or that has been enrolled at a cropland 
56.12 	rate in a federal or state conservation program for at least two of the five years preceding 
56.13 	an application to enroll the land in a conservation easement program. Land with crop history 
56.14 	includes acres devoted to set-aside or conserving use for programs of the United States 
56.15 	Department of Agriculture.

56.16 	Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.511, is amended by adding a subdivision 
56.17 	to read:
56.18 		Subd. 7a.Pasture. "Pasture" means land that is used for grazing by domestic livestock 
56.19 	and that is not considered land with crop history.

56.20 	Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.511, is amended by adding a subdivision 
56.21 	to read:
56.22 		Subd. 7b.Perennial cover. "Perennial cover" means:
56.23 	(1) existing or established perennial vegetation within the easement boundary; or
56.24 	(2) a restored or existing wetland or water-covered area within the easement boundary.

56.25 	Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.515, is amended to read:
56.26 	103F.515 REINVEST IN MINNESOTA RESERVE PROGRAM.
56.27 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The board, in consultation with the commissioner of 
56.28 	agriculture and the commissioner of natural resources, shall establish and administer the 
56.29 	reinvest in Minnesota reserve program. The board shall implement sections 103F.505 to 
57.1 	103F.531. Selection of land for the reinvest in Minnesota reserve program must be based 
57.2 	on its enhancement potential for fish, wildlife, and native plant habitats, reducing erosion, 
57.3 	and protecting water quality benefit to accomplishing the purposes in section 103F.505.
57.4 		Subd. 2.Eligible land. (a) Land may be placed in the reinvest in Minnesota reserve 
57.5 	program if the land meets the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) or paragraph (d).
57.6 	(b) Land is eligible if the land:
57.7 	(1) is marginal agricultural land;
57.8 	(2) is adjacent to marginal agricultural land and is either beneficial to resource protection 
57.9 	or necessary for efficient recording of the land description;
57.10 	(3) consists of a drained wetland;
57.11 	(4) is land that with a windbreak or water quality improvement practice would be 
57.12 	beneficial to resource protection;
57.13 	(5) is land in a sensitive groundwater area;
57.14 	(6) is riparian or floodplain land;
57.15 	(7) is cropland or noncropland adjacent to restored wetlands to the extent of up to eight 
57.16 	acres of cropland or one acre of noncropland for each acre of wetland restored;
57.17 	(8) is a woodlot on agricultural land;
57.18 	(9) is abandoned building site on agricultural land, provided that funds are not used for 
57.19 	compensation of the value of the buildings; or
57.20 	(10) is land used for pasture.; or
57.21 	(11) is land in an environmentally sensitive area, including grasslands, peatlands, 
57.22 	shorelands, karst geology, trout stream watersheds, and forest lands in priority areas.
57.23 	(c) Eligible land under paragraph (a) must:
57.24 	(1) be owned by the landowner, or a parent or other blood relative of the landowner, for 
57.25 	at least one year before the date of application;
57.26 	(2) be at least five acres in size, except for a drained wetland area, riparian area, 
57.27 	windbreak, woodlot, wellhead protection area, or abandoned building site, or be a whole 
57.28 	field;
57.29 	(3) (2) not be set aside, enrolled or diverted under another federal or state government 
57.30 	program unless enrollment in the reinvest in Minnesota reserve program would provide 
58.1 	additional conservation benefits or a longer term of enrollment than under the current federal 
58.2 	or state program; and
58.3 	(4) have been in agricultural crop production for at least two of the last five years before 
58.4 	the date of application except drained wetlands, riparian lands, woodlots, abandoned building 
58.5 	sites, environmentally sensitive areas, wellhead protection areas, or land used for pasture.
58.6 	(3) benefit the purposes in section 103F.505.
58.7 	(d) Land is eligible if the land is within a wellhead protection area as defined under 
58.8 	section 103I.005, subdivision 24, and has a wellhead protection plan approved by the 
58.9 	commissioner of health.
58.10 	(e) In selecting land for enrollment in the program, highest priority must be given to 
58.11 	permanent easements that are consistent with the purposes stated in section 103F.505.
58.12 		Subd. 3.Conservation easements. (a) The board may acquire, or accept by gift or 
58.13 	donation, conservation easements on eligible land. An easement may be permanent or of 
58.14 	limited duration. An easement acquired on land for wetland restoration or windbreak 
58.15 	purposes, under subdivision 2, may be only of permanent duration. An easement of limited 
58.16 	duration may not be acquired if it is for a period less than 20 years. The negotiation and 
58.17 	acquisition of easements authorized by this section are exempt from the contractual provisions 
58.18 	of chapters 16B and 16C.
58.19 	(b) The board may acquire, or accept by gift or donation, flowage easements when 
58.20 	necessary for completion of wetland restoration projects.
58.21 		Subd. 4.Nature of property rights acquired. (a) A conservation easement must prohibit:
58.22 	(1) alteration of wildlife habitat and other natural features, unless specifically approved 
58.23 	by the board;
58.24 	(2) agricultural crop production and livestock grazing, unless specifically approved by 
58.25 	the board for conservation management purposes or extreme drought; and
58.26 	(3) spraying with chemicals or mowing, except:
58.27 	(i) as necessary to comply with noxious weed control laws;
58.28 	(ii) for emergency control of pests necessary to protect public health; or
58.29 	(iii) as approved by the board for conservation management purposes.; and
58.30 	(4) extracting or mining any gravel, rock, or topsoil.
59.1 	(b) A conservation easement is subject to the terms of the agreement provided in 
59.2 	subdivision 5.
59.3 	(c) A conservation easement must allow repairs, improvements, and inspections necessary 
59.4 	to maintain public drainage systems provided the easement area is restored to the condition 
59.5 	required by the terms of the conservation easement.
59.6 	(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the board must permit the harvest of native grasses 
59.7 	for use in seed production or bioenergy on wellhead protection lands eligible under 
59.8 	subdivision 2, paragraph (d).
59.9 	(e) A conservation easement must allow the board and its employees and agents to enter 
59.10 	the easement area for inspection and for enforcing the terms and conditions of the 
59.11 	conservation easement.
59.12 		Subd. 5.Agreements by landowner. The board may enroll eligible land in the reinvest 
59.13 	in Minnesota reserve program by signing an agreement in recordable form with a landowner 
59.14 	in which the landowner agrees:
59.15 	(1) to convey to the state a conservation easement that is not subject to any prior title, 
59.16 	lien, or encumbrance liens or encumbrances that are determined to be objectionable by the 
59.17 	attorney general;
59.18 	(2) to seed the land subject to the conservation easement, as specified in the agreement, 
59.19 	to establish and maintain perennial cover of either a grass-legume mixture or native grasses 
59.20 	for the term of the easement, at seeding rates determined by the board; or to plant trees or 
59.21 	carry out other long-term capital improvements approved by the board for soil and water 
59.22 	conservation or wildlife management;
59.23 	(3) to convey to the state a permanent easement for the wetland restoration;
59.24 	(4) that other land supporting natural vegetation owned or leased as part of the same 
59.25 	farm operation at the time of application, if it supports natural vegetation and has not been 
59.26 	used in agricultural crop production, will not be converted to agricultural crop production 
59.27 	or pasture; and
59.28 	(5) (4) that the easement duration may be lengthened through mutual agreement with 
59.29 	the board in consultation with the commissioners of agriculture and natural resources if 
59.30 	they determine that the changes effectuate the purpose of the program or facilitate its 
59.31 	administration.;
59.32 	(5) to be responsible for operating and maintaining approved practices designated in the 
59.33 	conservation plan;
60.1 	(6) to pay, when due, all taxes and assessments that may be levied against the easement 
60.2 	area;
60.3 	(7) to remove any existing structures as required before the conservation easement is 
60.4 	conveyed and not place, erect, or construct structures on the easement area;
60.5 	(8) to remove any existing hazardous and toxic substances or any pollutants and 
60.6 	contaminants before the conservation easement is conveyed and not place such substances, 
60.7 	pollutants, or contaminants on the easement area; and
60.8 	(9) to properly seal all abandoned wells on the easement area before the conservation 
60.9 	easement is conveyed and pay all associated costs.
60.10 		Subd. 6.Payments for easements. (a) The board shall establish rates for payments to 
60.11 	the landowner for the conservation easement and related practices. The board shall consider 
60.12 	market factors, including the township average equalized estimated market value of property 
60.13 	as established by the commissioner of revenue at the time of easement application.
60.14 	(b) The board may establish a payment system for flowage easements acquired under 
60.15 	this section.
60.16 	(c) For wetland restoration projects involving more than one conservation easement, 
60.17 	state payments for restoration costs may exceed the limits set by the board for an individual 
60.18 	easement provided the total payment for the restoration project does not exceed the amount 
60.19 	payable for the total number of acres involved.
60.20 	(d) The board may use available nonstate funds to exceed the payment limits in this 
60.21 	section.
60.22 		Subd. 7.Easement renewal. When a conservation easement of limited duration expires, 
60.23 	a new conservation easement and agreement for an additional period of not less than 20 
60.24 	years may be acquired by agreement of the board and the landowner, under the terms of 
60.25 	this section. The board may adjust payment rates as a result of renewing an agreement and 
60.26 	conservation easement only after examining the condition of the established cover, 
60.27 	conservation practices, and land values.
60.28 		Subd. 8.Correcting boundary lines. To correct errors in legal descriptions for easements 
60.29 	that affect the ownership interests in the state and adjacent landowners, the board may, in 
60.30 	the name of the state, with the approval of the attorney general, convey, without 
60.31 	consideration, interests of the state necessary to correct legal descriptions of boundaries. 
60.32 	The conveyance must be by quitclaim deed or release in a form approved by the attorney 
60.33 	general.
61.1 		Subd. 9.Enforcement and damages. (a) A landowner who violates the term of a 
61.2 	conservation easement or agreement under this section, or induces, assists, or allows another 
61.3 	to do so, is liable to the state for treble damages if the trespass is willful, but liable for double 
61.4 	damages only if the trespass is not willful. The amount of damages is the amount needed 
61.5 	to make the state whole or the amount the landowner has gained due to the violation, 
61.6 	whichever is greater.
61.7 	(b) Upon the request of the board, The board may request that the attorney general 
61.8 	commence a legal action for a violation, and the attorney general may commence an action 
61.9 	for specific performances, injunctive relief, damages, including attorney's fees, and any 
61.10 	other appropriate relief to enforce sections 103F.505 to 103F.531 in district court in the 
61.11 	county where all or part of the violation is alleged to have been committed, or where the 
61.12 	landowner resides or has a principal place of business. In addition to or in lieu of making 
61.13 	a request under this paragraph, the board may use its authority under section 103B.101, 
61.14 	subdivision 12, to issue a penalty order for a violation. The penalties may be forgiven, in 
61.15 	whole or in part, upon compliance with the conservation easement conditions.
61.16 	(c) A landowner is not in violation of the conservation easement if a failure of approved 
61.17 	practices was caused by reasons beyond the landowner's control.
61.18 		Subd. 10.Use for mitigation prohibited. Money made available under the reinvest in 
61.19 	Minnesota reserve program may not be used for environmental regulatory or wetland 
61.20 	mitigation purposes required under federal or state law.

61.21 	Sec. 70. [103F.527] CONSERVATION PRACTICES.
61.22 		Subdivision 1.Approved practices. An approved practice must be consistent with 
61.23 	section 103F.505. The landowner is responsible for establishing all approved practices on 
61.24 	the easement area as specified by the board.
61.25 		Subd. 2.Approved practices eligible for reimbursement. The board must determine 
61.26 	which approved practices are eligible for payments or reimbursement under a conservation 
61.27 	easement program. Food plots are not eligible for payments or reimbursement under a 
61.28 	conservation easement program.
61.29 		Subd. 3.Money from other sources. The board may augment money available to pay 
61.30 	for or reimburse approved practices with money from other agencies, organizations, or 
61.31 	individuals.

62.1 	Sec. 71. [103F.528] SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT 
62.2 	RESPONSIBILITIES.
62.3 		Subdivision 1.Program delegation. With the consent of the Board of Water and Soil 
62.4 	Resources, a district may enter into an agreement with others, as authorized under section 
62.5 	103C.231, to delegate, in whole or in part, the responsibility for administering a conservation 
62.6 	easement program.
62.7 		Subd. 2.Land in more than one district. If an application involves land in more than 
62.8 	one district, the districts or delegated parties may jointly agree for one of the districts or 
62.9 	delegated parties to be the responsible party to review and prioritize the application and 
62.10 	complete all tasks necessary to convey the conservation easement to the Board of Water 
62.11 	and Soil Resources.
62.12 		Subd. 3.Violations and enforcement. The district may take measures that are necessary 
62.13 	to ensure landowner compliance with the conservation agreement, conservation easement, 
62.14 	and conservation plan. If the district is unsuccessful in obtaining landowner compliance, 
62.15 	the district must notify the Board of Water and Soil Resources of the violation and may 
62.16 	recommend appropriate measures to be taken to correct the violation.

62.17 	Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.535, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
62.18 		Subd. 5.Altering conservation easements. (a) Conservation easements may be altered, 
62.19 	released, or terminated by the board after consultation with the commissioners of agriculture 
62.20 	and natural resources. The board may alter, release, or terminate a conservation easement 
62.21 	only if the board determines that the public interest and general welfare are better served 
62.22 	by the alteration, release, or termination.
62.23 	(b) The board may adopt policies and procedures to implement this subdivision, including 
62.24 	provisions to ensure at least equal resource value as a condition of approving a request to 
62.25 	alter, release, or terminate a conservation easement.
62.26 	(c) The landowner must compensate the board for damages and loss of benefits to the 
62.27 	conservation easement that result from the alteration, release, or termination. The board 
62.28 	may require the landowner to reimburse the board's administrative expenses and costs 
62.29 	incurred in altering, releasing, or terminating a conservation easement.

62.30 	Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.005, subdivision 14d, is amended to read:
62.31 		Subd. 14d.Project. "Project" means a specific plan, contiguous activity, proposal, or 
62.32 	design necessary to accomplish a goal as defined by the local government unit. As used in 
63.1 	this chapter, a project may not be split into components or phases for the sole purpose of 
63.2 	gaining additional exemptions.

63.3 	Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.005, subdivision 17b, is amended to read:
63.4 		Subd. 17b.Wetland type. "Wetland type" means a wetland type classified according 
63.5 	to Wetlands of the United States, United States Fish and Wildlife Service Circular 39 (1971 
63.6 	edition), as summarized in this subdivision or A Hydrogeomorphic Classification for 
63.7 	Wetlands, United States Army Corps of Engineers (August 1993), including updates, 
63.8 	supplementary guidance, and replacements, if any, as determined by the board.
63.9 	(1) "Type 1 wetlands" are seasonally flooded basins or flats in which soil is covered 
63.10 	with water or is waterlogged during variable seasonal periods but usually is well-drained 
63.11 	during much of the growing season. Type 1 wetlands are located in depressions and in 
63.12 	overflow bottomlands along watercourses, and in which vegetation varies greatly according 
63.13 	to season and duration of flooding and includes bottomland hardwoods as well as herbaceous 
63.14 	growths.
63.15 	(2) "Type 2 wetlands" are inland fresh meadows in which soil is usually without standing 
63.16 	water during most of the growing season but is waterlogged within at least a few inches of 
63.17 	surface. Vegetation includes grasses, sedges, rushes, and various broad-leafed plants. 
63.18 	Meadows may fill shallow basins, sloughs, or farmland sags, or these meadows may border 
63.19 	shallow marshes on the landward side.
63.20 	(3) "Type 3 wetlands" are inland shallow fresh marshes in which soil is usually 
63.21 	waterlogged early during a growing season and often covered with as much as six inches 
63.22 	or more of water. Vegetation includes grasses, bulrushes, spikerushes, and various other 
63.23 	marsh plants such as cattails, arrowheads, pickerelweed, and smartweeds. These marshes 
63.24 	may nearly fill shallow lake basins or sloughs, or may border deep marshes on the landward 
63.25 	side and are also common as seep areas on irrigated lands.
63.26 	(4) "Type 4 wetlands" are inland deep fresh marshes in which soil is usually covered 
63.27 	with six inches to three feet or more of water during the growing season. Vegetation includes 
63.28 	cattails, reeds, bulrushes, spikerushes, and wild rice. In open areas, pondweeds, naiads, 
63.29 	coontail, water milfoils, waterweeds, duckweeds, waterlilies, or spatterdocks may occur. 
63.30 	These deep marshes may completely fill shallow lake basins, potholes, limestone sinks, and 
63.31 	sloughs, or they may border open water in such depressions.
64.1 	(5) "Type 5 wetlands" are inland open fresh water, shallow ponds, and reservoirs in 
64.2 	which water is usually less than ten feet deep and is fringed by a border of emergent 
64.3 	vegetation similar to open areas of type 4 wetland.
64.4 	(6) "Type 6 wetlands" are shrub swamps in which soil is usually waterlogged during 
64.5 	growing season and is often covered with as much as six inches of water. Vegetation includes 
64.6 	alders, willows, buttonbush, dogwoods, and swamp-privet. This type occurs mostly along 
64.7 	sluggish streams and occasionally on floodplains.
64.8 	(7) "Type 7 wetlands" are wooded swamps in which soil is waterlogged at least to within 
64.9 	a few inches of the surface during growing season and is often covered with as much as one 
64.10 	foot of water. This type occurs mostly along sluggish streams, on floodplains, on flat uplands, 
64.11 	and in shallow basins. Trees include tamarack, arborvitae, black spruce, balsam, red maple, 
64.12 	and black ash. Northern evergreen swamps usually have a thick ground cover of mosses. 
64.13 	Deciduous swamps frequently support beds of duckweeds and smartweeds.
64.14 	(8) "Type 8 wetlands" are bogs in which soil is usually waterlogged and supports a 
64.15 	spongy covering of mosses. This type occurs mostly in shallow basins, on flat uplands, and 
64.16 	along sluggish streams. Vegetation is woody or herbaceous or both. Typical plants are heath 
64.17 	shrubs, sphagnum moss, and sedges. In the north, leatherleaf, Labrador-tea, cranberries, 
64.18 	carex, and cottongrass are often present. Scattered, often stunted, black spruce and tamarack 
64.19 	may occur.

64.20 	Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 103G.005, subdivision 19, is 
64.21 	amended to read:
64.22 		Subd. 19.Wetlands. (a) "Wetlands" means lands transitional between terrestrial and 
64.23 	aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered 
64.24 	by shallow water. For purposes of this definition, wetlands must have the following three 
64.25 	attributes:
64.26 	(1) have a predominance of hydric soils;
64.27 	(2) are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration 
64.28 	sufficient to support a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in 
64.29 	saturated soil conditions; and
64.30 	(3) under normal circumstances support a prevalence of such vegetation.
64.31 	(b) For the purposes of regulation under this chapter, the term wetlands does not include 
64.32 	public waters wetlands as defined in subdivision 15a.
65.1 	(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), wetlands includes deepwater aquatic habitats that 
65.2 	are not public waters or public waters wetlands. For purposes of this paragraph, "deepwater 
65.3 	aquatic habitats" has the meaning given in Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, 
65.4 	United States Army Corps of Engineers (January 1987).

65.5 	Sec. 76. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.222, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
65.6 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. (a) Wetlands must not be drained or filled, wholly or 
65.7 	partially, unless replaced by actions that provide at least equal public value under a 
65.8 	replacement plan approved as provided in section 103G.2242, a replacement plan under a 
65.9 	local governmental unit's comprehensive wetland protection and management plan approved 
65.10 	by the board under section 103G.2243, or, if a permit to mine is required under section 
65.11 	93.481, under a mining reclamation plan approved by the commissioner under the permit 
65.12 	to mine. Project-specific wetland-replacement plans submitted as part of a project for which 
65.13 	a permit to mine is required and approved by the commissioner on or after July 1, 1991, 
65.14 	may include surplus wetland credits to be allocated by the commissioner to offset future 
65.15 	mining-related wetland impacts under any permits to mine held by the permittee, the operator, 
65.16 	the permittee's or operator's parent, an affiliated subsidiary, or an assignee pursuant to an 
65.17 	assignment under section 93.481, subdivision 5. For project-specific wetland replacement 
65.18 	completed prior to wetland impacts authorized or conducted under a permit to mine within 
65.19 	the Great Lakes and Rainy River watershed basins, those basins shall be are considered a 
65.20 	single watershed for purposes of determining wetland-replacement ratios. Mining reclamation 
65.21 	plans shall must apply the same principles and standards for replacing wetlands that are 
65.22 	applicable to mitigation plans approved as provided in section 103G.2242. The commissioner 
65.23 	must provide notice of an application for wetland replacement under a permit to mine to 
65.24 	the county in which the impact is proposed and the county in which a mitigation site is 
65.25 	proposed. Public value must be determined in accordance with section 103B.3355 or a 
65.26 	comprehensive wetland protection and management plan established under section 
65.27 	103G.2243. Sections 103G.221 to 103G.2372 also apply to excavation in permanently and 
65.28 	semipermanently flooded areas of types 3, 4, and 5 wetlands.
65.29 	(b) Replacement must be guided by the following principles in descending order of 
65.30 	priority:
65.31 	(1) avoiding the direct or indirect impact of the activity that may destroy or diminish 
65.32 	the wetland;
65.33 	(2) minimizing the impact by limiting the degree or magnitude of the wetland activity 
65.34 	and its implementation;
66.1 	(3) rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected wetland 
66.2 	environment;
66.3 	(4) reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance 
66.4 	operations during the life of the activity;
66.5 	(5) compensating for the impact by restoring a wetland; and
66.6 	(6) compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute wetland resources 
66.7 	or environments.
66.8 	For a project involving the draining or filling of wetlands in an amount not exceeding 10,000 
66.9 	square feet more than the applicable amount in section 103G.2241, subdivision 9, paragraph 
66.10 	(a), the local government unit may make an on-site sequencing determination without a 
66.11 	written alternatives analysis from the applicant.
66.12 	(c) If a wetland is located in a cultivated field, then replacement must be accomplished 
66.13 	through restoration only without regard to the priority order in paragraph (b), provided that 
66.14 	the altered wetland is not converted to a nonagricultural use for at least ten years.
66.15 	(d) If a wetland is replaced under paragraph (c), or drained under section 103G.2241, 
66.16 	subdivision 2, paragraph (b) or (e),subdivision 1, clause (1), the local government unit may 
66.17 	require a deed restriction that prohibits nonagricultural use for at least ten years. The local 
66.18 	government unit may require the deed restriction if it determines the wetland area drained 
66.19 	is at risk of conversion to a nonagricultural use within ten years based on the zoning 
66.20 	classification, proximity to a municipality or full service road, or other criteria as determined 
66.21 	by the local government unit.
66.22 	(e) Restoration and replacement of wetlands must be accomplished in accordance with 
66.23 	the ecology of the landscape area affected and ponds that are created primarily to fulfill 
66.24 	stormwater management, and water quality treatment requirements may not be used to 
66.25 	satisfy replacement requirements under this chapter unless the design includes pretreatment 
66.26 	of runoff and the pond is functioning as a wetland.
66.27 	(f) Except as provided in paragraph (g), for a wetland or public waters wetland located 
66.28 	on nonagricultural land, replacement must be in the ratio of two acres of replaced wetland 
66.29 	for each acre of drained or filled wetland.
66.30 	(g) For a wetland or public waters wetland located on agricultural land or in a greater 
66.31 	than 80 percent area, replacement must be in the ratio of one acre of replaced wetland for 
66.32 	each acre of drained or filled wetland.
67.1 	(h) Wetlands that are restored or created as a result of an approved replacement plan are 
67.2 	subject to the provisions of this section for any subsequent drainage or filling.
67.3 	(i) Except in a greater than 80 percent area, only wetlands that have been restored from 
67.4 	previously drained or filled wetlands, wetlands created by excavation in nonwetlands, 
67.5 	wetlands created by dikes or dams along public or private drainage ditches, or wetlands 
67.6 	created by dikes or dams associated with the restoration of previously drained or filled 
67.7 	wetlands may be used for wetland replacement according to rules adopted under section 
67.8 	103G.2242, subdivision 1. Modification or conversion of nondegraded naturally occurring 
67.9 	wetlands from one type to another are not eligible for wetland replacement.
67.10 	(j) The Technical Evaluation Panel established under section 103G.2242, subdivision 
67.11 	2, shall ensure that sufficient time has occurred for the wetland to develop wetland 
67.12 	characteristics of soils, vegetation, and hydrology before recommending that the wetland 
67.13 	be deposited in the statewide wetland bank. If the Technical Evaluation Panel has reason 
67.14 	to believe that the wetland characteristics may change substantially, the panel shall postpone 
67.15 	its recommendation until the wetland has stabilized.
67.16 	(k) This section and sections 103G.223 to 103G.2242, 103G.2364, and 103G.2365 apply 
67.17 	to the state and its departments and agencies.
67.18 	(l) For projects involving draining or filling of wetlands associated with a new public 
67.19 	transportation project, and for projects expanded solely for additional traffic capacity, public 
67.20 	transportation authorities may purchase credits from the board at the cost to the board to 
67.21 	establish credits. Proceeds from the sale of credits provided under this paragraph are 
67.22 	appropriated to the board for the purposes of this paragraph. For the purposes of this 
67.23 	paragraph, "transportation project" does not include an airport project.
67.24 	(m) A replacement plan for wetlands is not required for individual projects that result 
67.25 	in the filling or draining of wetlands for the repair, rehabilitation, reconstruction, or 
67.26 	replacement of a currently serviceable existing state, city, county, or town public road 
67.27 	necessary, as determined by the public transportation authority, to meet state or federal 
67.28 	design or safety standards or requirements, excluding new roads or roads expanded solely 
67.29 	for additional traffic capacity lanes. This paragraph only applies to authorities for public 
67.30 	transportation projects that:
67.31 	(1) minimize the amount of wetland filling or draining associated with the project and 
67.32 	consider mitigating important site-specific wetland functions on site;
67.33 	(2) except as provided in clause (3), submit project-specific reports to the board, the 
67.34 	Technical Evaluation Panel, the commissioner of natural resources, and members of the 
68.1 	public requesting a copy at least 30 days prior to construction that indicate the location, 
68.2 	amount, and type of wetlands to be filled or drained by the project or, alternatively, convene 
68.3 	an annual meeting of the parties required to receive notice to review projects to be 
68.4 	commenced during the upcoming year; and
68.5 	(3) for minor and emergency maintenance work impacting less than 10,000 square feet, 
68.6 	submit project-specific reports, within 30 days of commencing the activity, to the board 
68.7 	that indicate the location, amount, and type of wetlands that have been filled or drained.
68.8 	Those required to receive notice of public transportation projects may appeal 
68.9 	minimization, delineation, and on-site mitigation decisions made by the public transportation 
68.10 	authority to the board according to the provisions of section 103G.2242, subdivision 9. The 
68.11 	Technical Evaluation Panel shall must review minimization and delineation decisions made 
68.12 	by the public transportation authority and provide recommendations regarding on-site 
68.13 	mitigation if requested to do so by the local government unit, a contiguous landowner, or 
68.14 	a member of the Technical Evaluation Panel.
68.15 	Except for state public transportation projects that occur on state roads, for which the 
68.16 	state Department of Transportation is responsible for the wetland replacement, the board 
68.17 	must replace the wetlands, and wetland areas of public waters if authorized by the 
68.18 	commissioner or a delegated authority, drained or filled by public transportation projects 
68.19 	on existing roads.
68.20 	Public transportation authorities at their discretion may deviate from federal and state 
68.21 	design standards on existing road projects when practical and reasonable to avoid wetland 
68.22 	filling or draining, provided that public safety is not unreasonably compromised. The local 
68.23 	road authority and its officers and employees are exempt from liability for any tort claim 
68.24 	for injury to persons or property arising from travel on the highway and related to the 
68.25 	deviation from the design standards for construction or reconstruction under this paragraph. 
68.26 	This paragraph does not preclude an action for damages arising from negligence in 
68.27 	construction or maintenance on a highway.
68.28 	(n) If a landowner seeks approval of a replacement plan after the proposed project has 
68.29 	already affected the wetland, the local government unit may require the landowner to replace 
68.30 	the affected wetland at a ratio not to exceed twice the replacement ratio otherwise required.
68.31 	(o) A local government unit may request the board to reclassify a county or watershed 
68.32 	on the basis of its percentage of presettlement wetlands remaining. After receipt of 
68.33 	satisfactory documentation from the local government, the board shall change the 
68.34 	classification of a county or watershed. If requested by the local government unit, the board 
69.1 	must assist in developing the documentation. Within 30 days of its action to approve a 
69.2 	change of wetland classifications, the board shall publish a notice of the change in the 
69.3 	Environmental Quality Board Monitor.
69.4 	(p) One hundred citizens who reside within the jurisdiction of the local government unit 
69.5 	may request the local government unit to reclassify a county or watershed on the basis of 
69.6 	its percentage of presettlement wetlands remaining. In support of their petition, the citizens 
69.7 	shall provide satisfactory documentation to the local government unit. The local government 
69.8 	unit shall consider the petition and forward the request to the board under paragraph (o) or 
69.9 	provide a reason why the petition is denied.

69.10 	Sec. 77. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.2241, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
69.11 		Subdivision 1.Agricultural activities.  A replacement plan for wetlands is not required 
69.12 	for:
69.13 	(1) activities in a wetland that was planted with annually seeded crops, was in a crop 
69.14 	rotation seeding of pasture grass or legumes, or was required to be set aside to receive price 
69.15 	support or other payments under United States Code, title 7, sections 1421 to 1469, in six 
69.16 	of the last ten years prior to January 1, 1991;
69.17 	(2) activities in a type 1 wetland on agricultural pasture land that remains in the same 
69.18 	use, except for bottomland hardwood type 1 wetlands, and activities in a type 2 or type 6 
69.19 	wetland that is less than two acres in size and located on agricultural pasture land that 
69.20 	remains in the same use;
69.21 	(1) impacts to wetlands on agricultural land labeled prior-converted cropland and impacts 
69.22 	to wetlands resulting from drainage maintenance activities authorized by the United States 
69.23 	Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, on areas labeled farmed 
69.24 	wetland, farmed-wetland pasture, and wetland. The prior-converted cropland, farmed 
69.25 	wetland, farmed-wetland pasture, or wetland must be labeled on a valid final certified 
69.26 	wetland determination issued by the Natural Resources Conservation Service in accordance 
69.27 	with Code of Federal Regulations, part 7, section 12, as amended. It is the responsibility of 
69.28 	the owner or operator of the land to provide a copy of the final certified wetland determination 
69.29 	to, and allow the Natural Resources Conservation Service to share related information with, 
69.30 	the local government unit and the board for purposes of verification.
69.31 	(3) (2) activities in a wetland conducted as part of normal farming practices. For purposes 
69.32 	of this clause, "normal farming practices" means farming, silvicultural, grazing, and ranching 
70.1 	activities such as plowing, seeding, cultivating, and harvesting for the production of feed, 
70.2 	food, and fiber products, but does not include activities that result in the draining of wetlands;
70.3 	(4) (3) soil and water conservation practices approved by the soil and water conservation 
70.4 	district, after review by the Technical Evaluation Panel;
70.5 	(5) (4) wetland impacts resulting from aquaculture activities, including pond excavation 
70.6 	and construction and maintenance of associated access roads and dikes, authorized under,
70.7 	and conducted in accordance with, a permit issued by the United States Army Corps of 
70.8 	Engineers under section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act, United States Code, title 33, 
70.9 	section 1344, but not including construction or expansion of buildings;
70.10 	(6) (5) wetland impacts resulting from wild rice production activities, including necessary 
70.11 	diking and other activities, authorized under and conducted in accordance with a permit 
70.12 	issued by the United States Army Corps of Engineers under section 404 of the federal Clean 
70.13 	Water Act, United States Code, title 33, section 1344; or
70.14 	(7) (6) agricultural activities on agricultural land that is subject to the swampbuster 
70.15 	provisions of the federal farm program restrictions consistent with a memorandum of 
70.16 	understanding and related agreements between the board and the United States Department 
70.17 	of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

70.18 	Sec. 78. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.2241, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
70.19 		Subd. 2.Drainage. (a) For the purposes of this subdivision, "public drainage system" 
70.20 	means a drainage system as defined in section 103E.005, subdivision 12, and any ditch or 
70.21 	tile lawfully connected to the drainage system.
70.22 	(b) A replacement plan is not required for draining of type 1 wetlands, or up to five acres 
70.23 	of type 2 or 6 wetlands, in an unincorporated area on land that has been assessed drainage 
70.24 	benefits for a public drainage system, provided that:
70.25 	(1) during the 20-year period that ended January 1, 1992:
70.26 	(i) there was an expenditure made from the drainage system account for the public 
70.27 	drainage system;
70.28 	(ii) the public drainage system was repaired or maintained as approved by the drainage 
70.29 	authority; or
70.30 	(iii) no repair or maintenance of the public drainage system was required under section 
70.31 	103E.705, subdivision 1, as determined by the public drainage authority; and
70.32 	(2) the wetlands are not drained for conversion to:
71.1 	(i) platted lots;
71.2 	(ii) planned unit, commercial, or industrial developments; or
71.3 	(iii) any development with more than one residential unit per 40 acres, except for parcels 
71.4 	subject to local zoning standards that allow for family members to establish an additional 
71.5 	residence on the same 40 acres.
71.6 	If wetlands drained under this paragraph are converted to uses prohibited under clause (2) 
71.7 	during the ten-year period following drainage, the wetlands must be replaced under section 
71.8 	103G.222.
71.9 	(c) A replacement plan is not required for draining or filling of wetlands, except for 
71.10 	draining types 3, 4, and 5 wetlands that have been in existence for more than 25 years, 
71.11 	resulting from maintenance and repair of existing public drainage systems.
71.12 	(d) (a) A replacement plan is not required for draining or filling of wetlands, except for 
71.13 	draining wetlands that have been in existence for more than 25 years, resulting from 
71.14 	maintenance and repair of existing drainage systems other than, including public drainage 
71.15 	systems.
71.16 	(e) A replacement plan is not required for draining agricultural land that:
71.17 	(1) was planted with annually seeded crops before July 5, except for crops that are 
71.18 	normally planted after that date, in eight out of the ten most recent years prior to the impact;
71.19 	(2) was in a crop rotation seeding of pasture grass, cover crop, or legumes, or was fallow 
71.20 	for a crop production purpose, in eight out of the ten most recent years prior to the impact; 
71.21 	or
71.22 	(3) was enrolled in a state or federal land conservation program and met the requirements 
71.23 	of clause (1) or (2) before enrollment.
71.24 	(f) The(b) A public drainage authority may, as part of the repair of a public drainage 
71.25 	system, as defined in section 103E.005, subdivision 12, install control structures, realign 
71.26 	the ditch, construct dikes along the ditch, or make other modifications as necessary to prevent 
71.27 	the drainage of the wetland wetlands.
71.28 	(g) Wetlands of all types that would be drained as a part of a public drainage repair 
71.29 	project are eligible for the permanent wetlands preserve under section 103F.516. The board 
71.30 	shall give priority to acquisition of easements on types 3, 4, and 5 wetlands that have been 
71.31 	in existence for more than 25 years on public drainage systems and other wetlands that have 
71.32 	the greatest risk of drainage from a public drainage repair project.

72.1 	Sec. 79. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.2241, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
72.2 		Subd. 6.Utilities; public works. (a) A replacement plan for wetlands is not required 
72.3 	for wetland impacts resulting from:
72.4 	(1) new placement or maintenance, repair, enhancement, realignment, or replacement 
72.5 	of existing utility or utility-type service, including pipelines, if: when wetland impacts are 
72.6 	authorized under and conducted in accordance with a permit issued by the United States 
72.7 	Army Corps of Engineers under section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act, United States 
72.8 	Code, title 33, section 1344, and
72.9 	(i) the direct and indirect impacts of the proposed project have been avoided and 
72.10 	minimized to the extent possible; and
72.11 	(ii) the proposed project significantly modifies or alters less than one-half acre of 
72.12 	wetlands;
72.13 	(2) activities associated with operation, routine maintenance, or emergency repair of 
72.14 	existing utilities and public work structures, including pipelines, provided the activities do 
72.15 	not result in additional wetland intrusion or additional draining or filling of a wetland either 
72.16 	wholly or partially; or
72.17 	(3) repair and updating of existing subsurface sewage treatment systems necessary to 
72.18 	comply with local, state, and federal regulations.
72.19 	(b) For maintenance, repair, and replacement, the local government unit may issue a 
72.20 	seasonal or annual exemption certification or the utility may proceed without local 
72.21 	government unit certification if the utility is carrying out the work according to approved 
72.22 	best management practices. Work of an emergency nature may proceed as necessary, and 
72.23 	any drain or fill activities shall must be addressed with the local government unit after the 
72.24 	emergency work has been completed.

72.25 	Sec. 80. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.2241, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
72.26 		Subd. 9.De minimis. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i), 
72.27 	a replacement plan for wetlands is not required for draining or filling impacts to the following 
72.28 	amounts of wetlands, excluding the permanently and semipermanently flooded areas of 
72.29 	wetlands, as part of a project outside of the shoreland wetland protection zone:
72.30 	(1) 10,000 square feet of type 1, 2, 6, or 7 wetland, excluding white cedar and tamarack 
72.31 	wetlands, one-quarter acre of wetland in a greater than 80 percent area;
73.1 	(2) 5,000 square feet of type 1, 2, 6, or 7 wetland, excluding white cedar and tamarack 
73.2 	wetlands, one-tenth acre of wetland in a 50 to 80 percent area, except within the 11-county 
73.3 	metropolitan area; or
73.4 	(3) 2,000 square feet of type 1, 2, 6, or 7 wetland, excluding white cedar and tamarack 
73.5 	wetlands, one-twentieth acre of wetland in a less than 50 percent area, except within the 
73.6 	11-county metropolitan area; or.
73.7 	(4) 100 square feet of type 3, 4, 5, or 8 wetland or white cedar and tamarack wetland.
73.8 	(b) Except as provided in paragraphs (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i), a replacement plan for 
73.9 	wetlands is not required for draining or filling the following amounts of up to 100 square 
73.10 	feet of impacts to wetlands as part of a project within the shoreland wetland protection zone 
73.11 	beyond the shoreland building setback zone:.
73.12 	(1) 400 square feet of type 1, 2, 6, or 7 wetland; or
73.13 	(2) 100 square feet of type 3, 4, 5, or 8 wetland or white cedar and tamarack wetland.
73.14 	In a greater than 80 percent area, the de minimis amount allowed under clause (1) may be 
73.15 	increased up to 1,000 square feet if the wetland is isolated and is determined to have no 
73.16 	direct surficial connection to the public water or if permanent water runoff retention or 
73.17 	infiltration measures are established in proximity as approved by the shoreland management 
73.18 	authority.
73.19 	(c) Except as provided in paragraphs (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i), a replacement plan for 
73.20 	wetlands is not required for draining or filling up to 20 square feet of wetland impacts to 
73.21 	wetlands as part of a project within the shoreland building setback zone, as defined in the 
73.22 	local shoreland management ordinance. The amount in this paragraph may be increased to 
73.23 	100 square feet if permanent water runoff retention or infiltration measures are established 
73.24 	in proximity as approved by the shoreland management authority.
73.25 	(d) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i), a replacement plan 
73.26 	is not required for draining or filling amounts up to 400 square feet of impacts to the 
73.27 	permanently and semipermanently flooded areas of wetlands as part of a project:.
73.28 	(1) 2,500 square feet of type 1, 2, 6, or 7 wetland, excluding white cedar and tamarack 
73.29 	wetlands, outside of the shoreland wetland protection zone in a 50 to 80 percent area within 
73.30 	the 11-county metropolitan area; or
73.31 	(2) 1,000 square feet of type 1, 2, or 6 wetland, outside of the shoreland wetland 
73.32 	protection zone in a less than 50 percent area within the 11-county metropolitan area.
74.1 	For purposes of this subdivision, the 11-county metropolitan area consists of the counties 
74.2 	of Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, 
74.3 	and Wright.
74.4 	(e) The amounts listed in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), and (d) may not be combined on 
74.5 	a project.
74.6 	(f) This exemption no longer applies to a landowner's portion of a wetland when the 
74.7 	cumulative area drained or filled of the landowner's portion since January 1, 1992, is the 
74.8 	greatest of:
74.9 	(1) the applicable area listed in paragraph (a), (b), or (c), if the landowner owns the entire 
74.10 	wetland;
74.11 	(2) five percent of the landowner's portion of the wetland; or
74.12 	(3) 400 square feet.
74.13 	(f) When the total area of impacts to wetlands as part of a project exceeds the applicable 
74.14 	amount in this subdivision, a replacement plan is required for the entire amount.
74.15 	(g) This exemption may not be combined with another exemption in this section on a 
74.16 	project.
74.17 	(h) Property may not be divided to increase the amounts listed in paragraph (a), (b), (c), 
74.18 	or (d).
74.19 	(i) If a local ordinance or similar local control is more restrictive than this subdivision, 
74.20 	the local standard applies.

74.21 	Sec. 81. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 103G.2242, subdivision 1, is 
74.22 	amended to read:
74.23 		Subdivision 1.Rules. (a) The board, in consultation with the commissioner, shall adopt 
74.24 	rules governing the approval of wetland value replacement plans under this section and 
74.25 	public-waters-work permits affecting public waters wetlands under section 103G.245. These 
74.26 	rules must address the criteria, procedure, timing, and location of acceptable replacement 
74.27 	of wetland values and may address the state establishment and administration of a wetland 
74.28 	banking program for public and private projects, including provisions for an in-lieu fee 
74.29 	program; mitigating and banking other water and water-related resources; the administrative, 
74.30 	monitoring, and enforcement procedures to be used; provisions that protect or mitigate 
74.31 	impacts to the public values of watercourses that are not public waters; and a procedure for 
74.32 	the review and appeal of decisions under this section. In the case of peatlands, the 
75.1 	replacement plan rules must consider the impact on carbon. Any in-lieu fee program 
75.2 	established by the board must conform with Code of Federal Regulations, title 33, section 
75.3 	332.8, as amended.
75.4 	(b) After the adoption of the rules, a replacement plan must be approved by a resolution 
75.5 	of the governing body of the local government unit, consistent with the provisions of the 
75.6 	rules or a comprehensive wetland protection and management plan approved under section 
75.7 	103G.2243.
75.8 	(c) If the local government unit fails to apply the rules or fails to implement a local 
75.9 	comprehensive wetland protection and management plan established under section 
75.10 	103G.2243, the government unit is subject to penalty as determined by the board.
75.11 	(d) When making a determination under rules adopted pursuant to this subdivision on 
75.12 	whether a rare natural community will be permanently adversely affected, consideration of 
75.13 	measures to mitigate any adverse effect on the community must be considered.

75.14 	Sec. 82. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.2242, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
75.15 		Subd. 2.Evaluation. (a) Questions concerning the public value, location, size, or type 
75.16 	of a wetland shall must be submitted to and determined by a Technical Evaluation Panel 
75.17 	after an on-site inspection. The Technical Evaluation Panel shall must be composed of a 
75.18 	technical professional employee of the board, a technical professional employee of the local 
75.19 	soil and water conservation district or districts, a technical professional with expertise in 
75.20 	water resources management appointed by the local government unit, and a technical 
75.21 	professional employee of the Department of Natural Resources for projects affecting public 
75.22 	waters or wetlands adjacent to public waters.
75.23 	(b) For wetland boundary determinations, the panel shall must use the "United States 
75.24 	ArmyCorps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual", United States Army Corps of 
75.25 	Engineers (January 1987), including updates, supplementary guidance, and replacements, 
75.26 	if any, ". For wetland type determinations, the panel must also use Wetlands of the United 
75.27 	States" (, United States Fish and Wildlife Service Circular 39,(1971 edition), and "; 
75.28 	Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States, United States Fish 
75.29 	and Wildlife Service (August 2013 edition); or A Hydrogeomorphic Classification for 
75.30 	Wetlands, United States Army Corps of Engineers (August 1993), according to rules 
75.31 	authorized under this part Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United 
75.32 	States" (1979 edition) and including updates, supplementary guidance, and replacements, 
75.33 	if any, for any of these publications.
76.1 	(c) The panel shall must provide the wetland determination and recommendations on 
76.2 	other technical matters to the local government unit that must approve a replacement plan, 
76.3 	sequencing, exemption determination, no-loss determination, or wetland boundary or type 
76.4 	determination and may recommend approval or denial of the plan. The authority must 
76.5 	consider and include the decision of the Technical Evaluation Panel in their approval or 
76.6 	denial of a plan or determination.
76.7 	(b) (d) A member of the Technical Evaluation Panel that has a financial interest in a 
76.8 	wetland bank or management responsibility to sell or make recommendations in their official 
76.9 	capacity to sell credits from a publicly owned wetland bank must disclose that interest, in 
76.10 	writing, to the Technical Evaluation Panel and the local government unit.
76.11 	(c) (e) Persons conducting wetland or public waters boundary delineations or type 
76.12 	determinations are exempt from the requirements of chapter 326. The board may develop 
76.13 	a professional wetland delineator certification program.
76.14 	(d) (f) The board must establish an interagency team to assist in identifying and evaluating 
76.15 	potential wetland replacement sites. The team must consist of members of the Technical 
76.16 	Evaluation Panel and representatives from the Department of Natural Resources; the Pollution 
76.17 	Control Agency; the United States Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul district; and other 
76.18 	organizations as determined by the board.

76.19 	Sec. 83. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.2242, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
76.20 		Subd. 2a.Wetland boundary or type determination. (a) A landowner may apply for 
76.21 	a wetland boundary or type determination from the local government unit. The landowner 
76.22 	applying for the determination is responsible for submitting proof necessary to make the 
76.23 	determination, including, but not limited to, wetland delineation field data, observation well 
76.24 	data, topographic mapping, survey mapping, and information regarding soils, vegetation, 
76.25 	hydrology, and groundwater both within and outside of the proposed wetland boundary.
76.26 	(b) A local government unit that receives an application under paragraph (a) may seek 
76.27 	the advice of the Technical Evaluation Panel as described in subdivision 2, and, if necessary, 
76.28 	expand the Technical Evaluation Panel. The local government unit may delegate the decision 
76.29 	authority for wetland boundary or type determinations to designated staff, or establish other 
76.30 	procedures it considers appropriate.
76.31 	(c) The local government unit decision must be made in compliance with section 15.99. 
76.32 	Within ten calendar days of the decision, the local government unit decision must be mailed 
76.33 	or sent by electronic transmission to the landowner, members of the Technical Evaluation 
77.1 	Panel, the watershed district or watershed management organization, if one exists, and 
77.2 	individual members of the public who request a copy. Notwithstanding section 15.99, 
77.3 	subdivision 2, the board must establish by rule timelines for project review and comment 
77.4 	for wetland banking projects.
77.5 	(d) The local government unit decision is valid for five years unless the Technical 
77.6 	Evaluation Panel determines that natural or artificial changes to the hydrology, vegetation, 
77.7 	or soils of the area have been sufficient to alter the wetland boundary or type.

77.8 	Sec. 84. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.2242, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
77.9 		Subd. 3.Replacement completion. (a) Replacement of wetland values must be completed 
77.10 	prior to or concurrent with the actual draining or filling of a wetland, unless:
77.11 	(1) an irrevocable bank letter of credit or other financial assurance acceptable to the 
77.12 	local government unit or the board is given to the local government unit or the board to 
77.13 	guarantee the successful completion of the replacement; or
77.14 	(2) the replacement is approved under an in-lieu fee program according to rules adopted 
77.15 	under subdivision 1. In the case of an in-lieu fee program established by a board-approved 
77.16 	sponsor, the board may require that a financial assurance in an amount and method acceptable 
77.17 	to the board be given to the board to ensure the approved sponsor fulfills the sponsor's 
77.18 	obligation to complete the required wetland replacement.
77.19 	(b) The board may establish, sponsor, or administer a wetland banking program, which 
77.20 	may include provisions allowing monetary payment to the wetland banking program for 
77.21 	impacts to wetlands. The board may acquire land in fee title, purchase or accept easements, 
77.22 	enter into agreements, and purchase existing wetland replacement credits to facilitate the 
77.23 	wetland banking program. The board may establish wetland credit and in-lieu fee payment 
77.24 	amounts and hold money in an account in the special revenue fund, which is appropriated 
77.25 	to the board to be used solely for establishing replacement wetlands and administering the 
77.26 	wetland banking program.
77.27 	(c) The board shall coordinate the establishment and operation of a wetland bank with 
77.28 	the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service 
77.29 	of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the commissioners of natural resources, 
77.30 	agriculture, and the Pollution Control Agency.

78.1 	Sec. 85. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 78.2 	(a) The revisor of statutes must renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.511, 
78.3 	subdivision 5a, as Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.511, subdivision 5c.
78.4 	(b) The revisor of statutes shall replace references to "section 103A.206" with references 
78.5 	to "section 103C.005" wherever they appear in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103C.

78.6 	Sec. 86. REPEALER.
 78.7 	(a) Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 103A.206; 103D.315, subdivision 4; 103D.405, 
78.8 	subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; 103D.411; 103D.601; 103D.605, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4; 
78.9 	103D.611; 103F.511, subdivision 8b; and 103F.950, are repealed.
78.10 	(b) Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 103D.605, subdivision 5, is repealed.
78.11 	(c) Minnesota Rules, parts 8400.3000; 8400.3030; 8400.3110; 8400.3210; 8400.3260; 
78.12 	8400.3300; 8400.3400; 8400.3460; 8400.3600; 8400.3610; 8400.3630; 8400.3700; 
78.13 	8400.3730; 8400.3800; 8400.3830; and 8400.3930, are repealed.

78.14 	ARTICLE 3
78.15 	OTHER PROVISIONS

78.16 	Section 1. [11A.236] ACCOUNT TO INVEST FINANCIAL ASSURANCE MONEY 
78.17 	FROM PERMITS TO MINE.
78.18 		Subdivision 1.Establishment; appropriation. (a) The State Board of Investment, when 
78.19 	requested by the commissioner of natural resources, may invest money collected by the 
78.20 	commissioner as part of financial assurance provided under a permit to mine issued under 
78.21 	chapter 93. The State Board of Investment may establish one or more accounts into which 
78.22 	money may be deposited for the purposes of this section, subject to the policies and 
78.23 	procedures of the State Board of Investment. Use of any money in the account is restricted 
78.24 	to the financial assurance purposes identified in sections 93.46 to 93.51 and rules adopted 
78.25 	thereunder and as authorized under any trust fund agreements or other conditions established 
78.26 	under a permit to mine.
78.27 	(b) Money in an account established under paragraph (a) is appropriated to the 
78.28 	commissioner of natural resources for the purposes for which the account is established 
78.29 	under this section.
78.30 		Subd. 2.Account maintenance and investment. (a) The commissioner of natural 
78.31 	resources may deposit money in the appropriate account and may withdraw money from 
79.1 	the appropriate account for the financial assurance purposes identified in sections 93.46 to 
79.2 	93.51 and rules adopted thereunder and as authorized under any trust fund agreements or 
79.3 	other conditions established under the permit to mine for which the financial assurance is 
79.4 	provided, subject to the policies and procedures of the State Board of Investment.
79.5 	(b) Investment strategies related to an account established under this section must be 
79.6 	determined jointly by the commissioner of natural resources and the executive director of 
79.7 	the State Board of Investment. The authorized investments for an account are the investments 
79.8 	authorized under section 11A.24 that are made available for investment by the State Board 
79.9 	of Investment.
79.10 	(c) Investment transactions must be at a time and in a manner determined by the executive 
79.11 	director of the State Board of Investment. Decisions to withdraw money from the account 
79.12 	must be determined by the commissioner of natural resources, subject to the policies and 
79.13 	procedures of the State Board of Investment. Investment earnings must be credited to the 
79.14 	appropriate account for financial assurance under the identified permit to mine.
79.15 	(d) The commissioner of natural resources may terminate an account at any time, so 
79.16 	long as the termination is in accordance with applicable statutes, rules, trust fund agreements, 
79.17 	or other conditions established under the permit to mine, subject to the policies and 
79.18 	procedures of the State Board of Investment.

79.19 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 13.7931, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
79.20 	read:
79.21 		Subd. 7.Forest industry data. Information that the Department of Natural Resources 
79.22 	collects, receives, or maintains through voluntary responses to questionnaires or surveys 
79.23 	by forest industry businesses is classified under section 84.0871.

79.24 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16A.125, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
79.25 		Subd. 5.Forest trust lands. (a) The term "state forest trust fund lands" as used in this 
79.26 	subdivision, means public land in trust under the constitution set apart as "forest lands under 
79.27 	the authority of the commissioner" of natural resources as defined by section 89.001, 
79.28 	subdivision 13.
79.29 	(b) The commissioner of management and budget shall credit the revenue from the forest 
79.30 	trust fund lands to the forest suspense account. The account must specify the trust funds 
79.31 	interested in the lands and the respective receipts of the lands.
80.1 	(c) After a fiscal year, the commissioner of management and budget shall certify the 
80.2 	costs incurred for forestry during that year under appropriations for the improvement, 
80.3 	administration, and management of state forest trust fund lands and construction and 
80.4 	improvement of forest roads to enhance the forest value of the lands. The certificate must 
80.5 	specify the trust funds interested in the lands. After presentation to the Legislative Permanent 
80.6 	School Fund Commission or by June 30 each year, whichever is sooner, the commissioner 
80.7 	of natural resources shall supply the commissioner of management and budget with the 
80.8 	information needed for the certificate. The certificate shall include an analysis that compares 
80.9 	costs certified under this section with costs incurred on other public and private lands with 
80.10 	similar land assets.
80.11 	(d) After a fiscal year, the commissioner shall distribute the receipts credited to the 
80.12 	suspense account during that fiscal year as follows:
80.13 	(1) the amount of the certified costs incurred by the state for forest management, forest 
80.14 	improvement, and road improvement during the fiscal year shall be transferred to the forest 
80.15 	management investment account established under section 89.039;
80.16 	(2) the amount of costs incurred by the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission 
80.17 	under section 127A.30, and by the school trust lands director under section 127A.353, shall 
80.18 	be transferred to the general fund;
80.19 	(3) the balance of the certified costs incurred by the state during the fiscal year shall be 
80.20 	transferred to the general fund; and
80.21 	(4) the balance of the receipts shall then be returned prorated to the trust funds in 
80.22 	proportion to their respective interests in the lands which produced the receipts.

80.23 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 17.4983, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
80.24 		Subd. 2.Acquisition from state. (a) The commissioner may sell aquatic life to licensed 
80.25 	facilities at fair wholesale market value. Fair wholesale market value must be determined 
80.26 	by the average market price charged in this state and contiguous states and provinces for 
80.27 	similar quantities.
80.28 	(b) The commissioner shall establish procedures to make aquatic life available to licensed 
80.29 	facilities if state aquatic life would otherwise die or go to waste, such as in cases of winterkill 
80.30 	lakes, waters where piscicides will be applied, and waters subject to extreme draw-down. 
80.31 	The public must be given angling opportunities if public access is available.
81.1 	(c) The commissioner shall attempt to provide opportunities to make brood stock available 
81.2 	to licensed facilities to reduce reliance on out-of-state sources without causing adverse 
81.3 	impacts to game fish and native rough fish populations.
81.4 	(d) If the commissioner denies approval to obtain aquatic life outside the state, a written 
81.5 	notice must be submitted to the applicant stating the reasons for denial, and the commissioner 
81.6 	shall:
81.7 	(1) designate approved sources if available to obtain the desired aquatic life; or
81.8 	(2) sell the aquatic life from state hatcheries at fair wholesale market value if there is a 
81.9 	surplus from state operations.

81.10 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 17.4984, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
81.11 		Subd. 2.Listed waters. (a) An aquatic farm license must list:
81.12 	(1) the specific waters of the state that may be used in connection with the licensed 
81.13 	aquatic farm and the species approved for each licensed water; and
81.14 	(2) whether aeration requiring a permit is approved.
81.15 	Additional waters may not be used until they are approved by the commissioner.
81.16 	(b) The right to use waters licensed for private fish hatchery or aquatic farm purposes 
81.17 	may be transferred between licensees with prior approval by the commissioner if requirements 
81.18 	for species to be raised are met. Waters that are continually connected by a permanent 
81.19 	watercourse to other waters must not be approved for aquatic farm use, except that connected 
81.20 	waters that are isolated from other waters may be licensed as a single water body. Waters 
81.21 	that are intermittently connected or may become connected with other waters may be denied, 
81.22 	or screening or other measures may be required to prevent passage of aquatic life. Listed 
81.23 	waters may be changed on approval by the area fisheries supervisor or the commissioner.
81.24 	(c) The commissioner shall conduct an inspection of waters to be licensed prior to 
81.25 	approving or denying initial licensing of the waters. When artificial tanks, jars, or other 
81.26 	containers are added to existing licensed facilities, an additional inspection is not required.
81.27 	(d) Waters containing game fish of significant public value, including game fish and 
81.28 	native rough fish, may be denied licensing unless the applicant can demonstrate exclusive 
81.29 	riparian control.
81.30 	(e) Waters containing game fish of significant public value, including game fish and 
81.31 	native rough fish, may be denied licensing unless the game fish and native rough fish of 
81.32 	significant public value are, at the commissioner's option, and taking into consideration the 
82.1 	recommendation of the licensed applicant, sold to the licensee, or removed by the Department 
82.2 	of Natural Resources or disposed of as provided in writing by the commissioner.
82.3 	(f) Waters licensed under an aquatic farm license may be aerated during open water 
82.4 	periods without a separate aeration permit.
82.5 	(g) Common carp and bullheads may be removed from licensed waters, and transported 
82.6 	and disposed of by the licensee.

82.7 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 17.4988, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
82.8 		Subd. 4.Aquarium facility. (a) A person operating a commercial aquarium facility 
82.9 	must have a commercial aquarium facility license issued by the commissioner if the facility 
82.10 	contains species of aquatic life that are for sale and that are present in waters of the state. 
82.11 	The commissioner may require an aquarium facility license for aquarium facilities importing 
82.12 	or holding species of aquatic life that are for sale and that are not present in Minnesota if 
82.13 	those species can survive in waters of the state. The fee for an aquarium facility license is 
82.14 	$90.
82.15 	(b) Game fish and native rough fish transferred by an aquarium facility must be 
82.16 	accompanied by a receipt containing the information required on a shipping document by 
82.17 	section 17.4985, subdivision 3, paragraph (b).

82.18 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 17.4992, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
82.19 		Subdivision 1.Acquisition and purchase. Game fish and native rough fish sperm, 
82.20 	viable game fish and native rough fish eggs, or live game fish and native rough fish may 
82.21 	not be taken from public waters for aquaculture purposes, but may be purchased from the 
82.22 	state or acquired from aquatic farms.

82.23 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 17.4992, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
82.24 		Subd. 3.Acquisition of fish for brood stock. (a) Game fish brood stock and native 
82.25 	rough fish brood stock may be sold to private fish hatcheries or aquatic farms by the state 
82.26 	at fair wholesale market value. For brood stock development, up to 20 pair of adults of each 
82.27 	species requested may be provided to a licensee once every three years, if available, by the 
82.28 	state through normal operations.
82.29 	(b) If brood stock is not available by the June 1 following the request under paragraph 
82.30 	(a) and a permit to take brood stock by angling is requested by the licensee, within 30 days 
82.31 	of the request, the commissioner may issue a permit to the licensee to take, by angling, up 
83.1 	to 20 pairs of each species requested. Game and fish laws and rules relating to daily limits, 
83.2 	seasons, and methods apply to the taking of fish by angling pursuant to a permit issued 
83.3 	under this paragraph.

83.4 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 17.4996, is amended to read:
83.5 	17.4996 WHITE EARTH INDIAN RESERVATION.
83.6 	Until the commissioner reaches an agreement with the White Earth Indian Reservation 
83.7 	regarding the acquisition and sale of aquatic life from public waters, an aquatic farm licensee 
83.8 	may acquire and transport native rough fish, as defined in section 97A.015, subdivision 43, 
83.9 	and yellow perch lawfully acquired and possessed by a tribal member for sale under tribal 
83.10 	laws and regulations on the White Earth Reservation. Transportation of yellow perch off 
83.11 	the reservation must be accompanied by documentation showing the source and number of 
83.12 	the yellow perch.

83.13 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 41A.02, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
83.14 		Subd. 6.Agricultural resource project; project. "Agricultural resource project" or 
83.15 	"project" means (1) any facility, or portion of a facility, located in the state which is operated 
83.16 	or to be operated primarily for the production from agricultural resources of marketable 
83.17 	products, (2) buildings, equipment, and land used for the commercial production of turkeys 
83.18 	or turkey products, (3) a facility or portion of a facility used for the commercial production 
83.19 	of fish or of products made from commercially produced fish or native rough fish, as defined 
83.20 	in section 97A.015, subdivision 43, or common carp that are not commercially produced, 
83.21 	or (4) real or personal property used or useful in connection with a revenue-producing 
83.22 	enterprise, or a combination of two or more revenue-producing enterprises engaged in a 
83.23 	business, that is not used for the production of livestock, other than poultry, or for the 
83.24 	production of crops, plants, or milk. The land in clause (2) is limited to land on which 
83.25 	buildings and equipment are situated and immediately surrounding land used for storage, 
83.26 	waste disposal, or other functions directly related to the commercial production of turkeys 
83.27 	or turkey products at that project site. The land in clause (2) does not include land used for 
83.28 	the growing or raising of crops or the grazing of livestock other than poultry. A project 
83.29 	includes a facility or portion of a facility for mixing or producing substances to be mixed 
83.30 	with other substances for use as a fuel or as a substitute for petroleum or petrochemical 
83.31 	feedstocks.

84.1 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.027, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
84.2 		Subd. 12.Property disposal; gift acknowledgment; advertising sales. (a) The 
84.3 	commissioner may recognize the contribution of money or in-kind services on plaques, 
84.4 	signs, publications, audiovisual materials, and media advertisements by allowing the 
84.5 	organization's contribution to be acknowledged in print of readable size.
84.6 	(b) The commissioner may accept paid advertising for departmental publications. 
84.7 	Advertising revenues received are appropriated to the commissioner to be used to defray 
84.8 	costs of publications, media productions, or other informational materials. The commissioner 
84.9 	may not accept paid advertising from any elected official or candidate for elective office.
84.10 	(c) Notwithstanding section 16B.2975, subdivision 6, clause (2), if the commissioner 
84.11 	determines that a transfer benefits the state's natural resources management or bison 
84.12 	management, the commissioner may request that the commissioner of administration donate 
84.13 	and convey bison to a governmental unit or nonprofit organization, in or outside Minnesota, 
84.14 	or sell bison. The recipient of the bison is solely responsible for all future expenses related 
84.15 	to the bison.

84.16 	Sec. 12. [84.0871] DATA ON FOREST INDUSTRY.
84.17 	(a) The following data that the Department of Natural Resources collects, receives, or 
84.18 	maintains through voluntary responses to questionnaires or surveys by forest industry 
84.19 	businesses are classified as private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, 
84.20 	subdivision 12, if the data are data on individuals or as nonpublic data, as defined in section 
84.21 	13.02, subdivision 9, if the data are data not on individuals:
84.22 	(1) timber resource consumption;
84.23 	(2) origin of timber resources;
84.24 	(3) cost of delivered timber;
84.25 	(4) forest industry product output; and
84.26 	(5) production costs.
84.27 	(b) Data that the department collects, receives, or maintains through voluntary responses 
84.28 	to questionnaires or surveys by forest industry businesses and that are not specified under 
84.29 	paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (5), are public data.
84.30 	(c) Summary data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 19, that the department 
84.31 	compiles from data under paragraph (a) or (b) are public data.
85.1 	(d) Data collected, received, or maintained by the department from bidders on state 
85.2 	timber under section 90.145 are not subject to this section.

85.3 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.0895, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
85.4 		Subdivision 1.Prohibition. Notwithstanding any other law, a person may not take, 
85.5 	import, transport, release, or sell any portion of an endangered or threatened species of wild 
85.6 	animal or plant, or sell or possess with intent to sell an article made with any part of the 
85.7 	skin, hide, or parts of an endangered or threatened species of wild animal or plant, except 
85.8 	as provided in subdivisions 2 and 7.

85.9 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.0895, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
85.10 		Subd. 8.Application. This section does not apply retroactively or prohibit importation 
85.11 	into this state and subsequent possession, transport, and sale of wild animals, wild plants, 
85.12 	or parts of wild animals or plants that are legally imported into the United States or legally 
85.13 	acquired and exported from another territory, state, possession, or political subdivision of 
85.14 	the United States.

85.15 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.96, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
85.16 		Subd. 2.Definition. For the purposes of this section, "native prairie" means land that 
85.17 	has never been plowed, with less than ten percent tree cover and with predominantly native 
85.18 	prairie vegetation a grassland dominated by original native prairie vegetation, usually 
85.19 	occurring where the sod has never been broken.

85.20 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.96, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
85.21 		Subd. 3.Easement acquisition. (a) The commissioner may acquire native prairie for 
85.22 	conservation purposes by entering into easements with landowners or with the land 
85.23 	administrator of state school trust lands. Before acquiring easements under this subdivision 
85.24 	on school trust lands, the commissioner must receive advice from the school trust lands 
85.25 	director according to section 127A.353, subdivision 4. The easements must be conservation 
85.26 	easements as defined in section 84C.01, clause (1), except the easements may be made 
85.27 	possessory as well as nonpossessory if agreed upon by the landowner or land administrator
85.28 	and the commissioner.
85.29 	(b) The easements may be permanent or of limited duration. Highest priority must be 
85.30 	given to permanent easements consistent with the purposes of this section. Easements of 
85.31 	limited duration must be for at least 20 years, with provision for renewal for at least another 
86.1 	20-year period. For easements of limited duration, the commissioner may reexamine and 
86.2 	adjust the payment rates at the beginning of any renewal period after considering current 
86.3 	land and crop values.

86.4 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84.96, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
86.5 		Subd. 5.Payments. (a) For interests in lands acquired under this section, the 
86.6 	commissioner must make payments to the landowner under or land administrator according 
86.7 	to this subdivision for the easement.
86.8 	(b) For a permanent easement, the commissioner must pay 65 percent of the permanent 
86.9 	marginal agricultural land payment rate as established by the Board of Water and Soil 
86.10 	Resources for the time period when the application is made.
86.11 	(b) For a permanent easement, the commissioner may pay up to ten percent more than 
86.12 	the Board of Water and Soil Resources pays for noncrop easements.  If the Board of Water 
86.13 	and Soil Resources does not establish a noncrop easement payment rate, the commissioner 
86.14 	must establish land value rates for payments considering market factors, such as 
86.15 	county-assessed land value and sales ratio studies, along with ecological, biological, and 
86.16 	cultural factors that take into consideration the global rarity of native prairie. The rates must 
86.17 	be based on the need to protect the extremely small amount of the globally vulnerable and 
86.18 	imperiled remaining native prairie in Minnesota.
86.19 	(c) For an easement of limited duration, the commissioner must paymay pay up to 65 
86.20 	percent of the permanent prairie bank easement rate for the time period when the application 
86.21 	is made.
86.22 	(d) To maintain and protect native prairies, the commissioner may enter into easements 
86.23 	that allow selected agricultural practices. Payment must be based on paragraph (b) or (c) 
86.24 	but may be reduced due to the agricultural practices allowed after negotiation with the 
86.25 	landowner or land administrator.
86.26 	(e) If a native prairie qualifies for the native prairie bank but the landowner requests that 
86.27 	the commissioner acquire the native prairie in fee rather than acquire an easement, the 
86.28 	commissioner may acquire it as any outdoor recreation system classification under section 
86.29 	86A.05 with protections equivalent to a native prairie bank easement. For acquisition under 
86.30 	this paragraph, the commissioner may pay up to 25 percent more than what the Board of 
86.31 	Water and Soil Resources pays for noncrop easements. If the Board of Water and Soil 
86.32 	Resources does not establish a noncrop easement payment rate, the commissioner must 
86.33 	establish land value rates for payments considering market factors, such as county-assessed 
87.1 	land value and sales ratio studies, along with ecological, biological, and cultural factors that 
87.2 	take into consideration the global rarity of native prairie.
87.3 	(f) For a permanent easement acquired on school trust lands under this section, the 
87.4 	commissioner must pay no less than 100 percent of the easement's appraised value at the 
87.5 	time of closing.

87.6 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 84B.061, is amended to read:
87.7 	84B.061 STATE JURISDICTION OVER RAINY LAKE AND OTHER 
87.8 	NAVIGABLE WATERS; DUTIES OF GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND 
87.9 	OTHER PUBLIC OFFICERS.
87.10 	As required by this chapter and the act of Congress authorizing Voyageurs National 
87.11 	Park, the state of Minnesota donated in excess of 35,000 acres of state and other publicly 
87.12 	owned land for the park, roughly one-fourth of the land area of the park, at a cost of over 
87.13 	$5,000,000 to the state. More than 24,000 acres of this land was state trust fund land which 
87.14 	the state condemned before making its donation. Pursuant to section 84B.06, lands donated 
87.15 	by the state, along with other lands acquired by the National Park Service for the park, were 
87.16 	made subject to concurrent jurisdiction by the state and the United States under section 
87.17 	1.041. In making these donations, none of the navigable waters within the park and the 
87.18 	lands under them have been donated to the United States. These navigable waters include 
87.19 	the following: Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, and Crane Lakes. Pursuant to 
87.20 	applicable federal and state law, navigable waters and their beds are owned by the state. 
87.21 	Ownership of and jurisdiction over these waters, frozen waters, and their beds has not been 
87.22 	ceded by the state, either expressly or implicitly, to the United States. Unlike section 1.044
87.23 	relating to the Upper Mississippi Wildlife and Fish Refuge, where the state expressly granted 
87.24 	its consent and jurisdiction to the United States to acquire interests in water, as well as land, 
87.25 	the consent granted by the state in section 84B.06 to acquisitions by the United States for 
87.26 	Voyageurs National Park is limited to land, only. In the discharge of their official duties, 
87.27 	the governor, attorney general, other constitutional officers, and other public officials, such 
87.28 	as the commissioner of natural resources, shall vigorously assert and defend, in all forums, 
87.29 	the state's ownership of and jurisdiction over these waters and their beds and related natural 
87.30 	resources, together with associated rights of the state and its citizens arising from the state's 
87.31 	ownership and jurisdiction. In discharging their duties, the governor, attorney general, other 
87.32 	constitutional officers, and other public officials shall, additionally, be especially cognizant 
87.33 	of the free rights of travel afforded to citizens of Minnesota and others under the 
87.34 	Webster-Ashburton Treaty (proclaimed November 10, 1842) and the Root-Bryce Treaty 
88.1 	(proclaimed May 13, 1910) on international and associated boundary waters. Also, in 
88.2 	furtherance of duties under this section, the commissioner of natural resources shall continue 
88.3 	in effect the commercial removal of native rough fish, as defined in section 97A.015, 
88.4 	subdivision 43, from these waters, together with any rights to do so possessed by any person 
88.5 	on January 1, 1995, so long as the commissioner determines that such taking is desirable 
88.6 	to the management of the native fishery.

88.7 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 88.82, is amended to read:
88.8 	88.82 MINNESOTA RELEAF PROGRAM.
88.9 	The Minnesota releaf program is established in the Department of Natural Resources to 
88.10 	encourage, promote, and fund the inventory, planting, assessment, maintenance, 
88.11 	improvement, protection, utilization, and restoration of trees and forest resources in this 
88.12 	state to enhance community forest ecosystem health and sustainability as well as to reduce 
88.13 	atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and promote energy conservation.

88.14 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 89.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
88.15 		Subdivision 1.Production at state nurseries. The commissioner of natural resources 
88.16 	may produce tree planting stock for the purposes of sections 89.35 to 89.39 upon any lands 
88.17 	under control of the commissioner which may be deemed suitable and available therefor so 
88.18 	far as not inconsistent with other uses to which such lands may be dedicated by law. The 
88.19 	commissioner may not produce more than 10,000,000 units of planting stock annually, after 
88.20 	January 1, 2003.

88.21 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 89.37, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
88.22 		Subd. 3.Private lands. The commissioner may supply only bare root seedlings, woody 
88.23 	cuttings, and transplant material for use on private land, provided that such material must 
88.24 	be sold in lots of not less than 250 for a sum determined by the commissioner to be equivalent 
88.25 	to the cost of the materials and the expenses of their distribution. The commissioner may 
88.26 	not directly or indirectly supply any other planting stock for use on private lands.

88.27 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 93.0015, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
88.28 		Subd. 3.Expiration.  The committee expires June 30, 2026 2036.

89.1 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.015, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:
89.2 		Subd. 3b.Bow fishing. "Bow fishing" means taking native rough fish and common carp 
89.3 	by archery where the arrows are tethered or controlled by an attached line.

89.4 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.015, subdivision 39, is amended to read:
89.5 		Subd. 39.Protected wild animals. "Protected wild animals" means big game, small 
89.6 	game, game fish, native rough fish, minnows, leeches, alewives, ciscoes, chubs, lake whitefish 
89.7 	and the subfamily Coregoninae, rainbow smelt, frogs, turtles, clams, mussels, wolf, mourning 
89.8 	doves, bats, snakes, salamanders, lizards, any animal species listed as endangered, threatened, 
89.9 	or of special concern in Minnesota Rules, chapter 6134, and wild animals that are protected 
89.10 	by a restriction in the time or manner of taking, other than a restriction in the use of artificial 
89.11 	lights, poison, or motor vehicles.

89.12 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.015, subdivision 43, is amended to read:
89.13 		Subd. 43.Native rough fish. "Native rough fish" means carp, buffalo, sucker, sheepshead, 
89.14 	bowfin, gar, goldeye, and bullhead,Amiidae (bowfin), Catostomidae (bigmouth, smallmouth, 
89.15 	and black buffalo; white, blue, spotted, and longnose sucker; northern hogsucker; quillback; 
89.16 	river and highfin carpsucker; and black, river, shorthead, golden, silver, and greater redhorse), 
89.17 	Hiodontidae (goldeye and mooneye), Ictaluridae (black, brown, and yellow bullhead), 
89.18 	Lepisosteidae (longnose and shortnose gar), and Sciaenidae (freshwater drum), except for 
89.19 	any fish species listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern in Minnesota Rules, 
89.20 	chapter 6134.

89.21 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a subdivision 
89.22 	to read:
89.23 		Subd. 47a.Taxidermist. "Taxidermist" means a person who engages in the business or 
89.24 	operation of preserving or mounting wild animals or parts thereof that do not belong to the 
89.25 	person.

89.26 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.055, subdivision 4b, is amended to read:
89.27 		Subd. 4b.Citizen oversight committees Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee. (a) 
89.28 	The commissioner shall appoint committees a committee of at least 15 affected persons to:
89.29 	(1) review the reports prepared under subdivision 4;
90.1 	(2) review the proposed work plans and budgets for the coming year; propose changes 
90.2 	in policies, activities, and revenue enhancements or reductions; review other relevant 
90.3 	information annual outcomes achieved from game and fish fund expenditures; and
90.4 	(3) make recommendations to the legislature and the commissioner for desired outcomes 
90.5 	related to:
90.6 	(i) protecting, restoring, and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat;
90.7 	(ii) fish and wildlife population management;
90.8 	(iii) fish and wildlife monitoring and research;
90.9 	(iv) communications and engagement; and
90.10 	(v) improvements in the management and use of money in the game and fish fund.
90.11 	(b) The commissioner shall appoint the following committees, each comprised of at 
90.12 	least ten affected persons:
90.13 	(1) a Fisheries Oversight Committee to review fisheries funding and expenditures, 
90.14 	including activities related to trout-and-salmon stamps and walleye stamps; and
90.15 	(2) a Wildlife Oversight Committee to review wildlife funding and expenditures, 
90.16 	including activities related to migratory waterfowl, pheasant, and wild turkey management 
90.17 	and deer and big game management.
90.18 	(c) The chairs of the Fisheries Oversight Committee and the Wildlife Oversight 
90.19 	Committee, and four additional members from each committee, shall form a Budgetary 
90.20 	Oversight Committee to coordinate the integration of the fisheries and wildlife oversight 
90.21 	committee reports into an annual report to the legislature; recommend changes on a broad 
90.22 	level in policies, activities, and revenue enhancements or reductions; and provide a forum 
90.23 	to address issues that transcend the fisheries and wildlife oversight committees.
90.24 	(d) The Budgetary Oversight Committee shall develop recommendations for a biennial 
90.25 	budget plan and report for expenditures on game and fish activities. By August 15 of each 
90.26 	even-numbered year, the committee shall submit the budget plan recommendations to the 
90.27 	commissioner and to the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction 
90.28 	over natural resources finance.
90.29 	(e) The chairs of the Fisheries Oversight Committee and the Wildlife Oversight 
90.30 	Committee shall be chosen by their respective committees. The chair of the Budgetary 
90.31 	Oversight Committee shall be appointed by the commissioner and may not be the chair of 
90.32 	either of the other oversight committees.
91.1 	(f) The Budgetary Oversight Committee may make recommendations to the commissioner 
91.2 	and to the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over natural 
91.3 	resources finance for outcome goals from expenditures.
91.4 	(b) The chair of the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee is appointed by the 
91.5 	commissioner.
91.6 	(c) By September 15 each year, the committee must submit a report to the commissioner 
91.7 	and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
91.8 	over natural resources finance and policy. Each even-numbered year, the report must focus 
91.9 	on biennial budget outcomes achieved from game and fish fund expenditures. Each 
91.10 	odd-numbered year, the report must focus on outcomes related to protecting habitat, fish 
91.11 	and wildlife population management, monitoring and research, and communications and 
91.12 	engagement.
91.13 	(d) Annually, the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee must hold a meeting for the 
91.14 	public to review proposed priorities for the next reporting period. The meeting must be 
91.15 	organized to allow virtual participation.
91.16 	(g) (e) The committees committee authorized under this subdivision are is not an advisory 
91.17 	councils council or committees committee governed by section 15.059 and are is not subject 
91.18 	to section 15.059. Committee members appointed by the commissioner may request 
91.19 	reimbursement for mileage expenses in the same manner and amount as authorized by the 
91.20 	commissioner's plan adopted under section 43A.18, subdivision 2. Committee members 
91.21 	must not receive daily compensation for oversight committee activities. The Fisheries 
91.22 	Oversight Committee, the Wildlife Oversight Committee, and the Budgetary Oversight 
91.23 	Committee expire June 30, 2025.The Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee expires June 
91.24 	30, 2033.

91.25 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.075, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
91.26 		Subd. 2.Minnesota migratory-waterfowl stamp. (a) Ninety percent of the revenue 
91.27 	from the Minnesota migratory-waterfowl stamps must be credited to the waterfowl habitat 
91.28 	improvement account and is appropriated to the commissioner only for:
91.29 	(1) development of wetlands and lakes in the state and designated waterfowl management 
91.30 	lakes for maximum migratory waterfowl production including habitat evaluation, the 
91.31 	construction of dikes, water control structures and impoundments, nest cover, rough fish
91.32 	common carp barriers, acquisition of sites and facilities necessary for development and 
92.1 	management of existing migratory waterfowl habitat and the designation of waters under 
92.2 	section 97A.101;
92.3 	(2) management of migratory waterfowl;
92.4 	(3) development, restoration, maintenance, or preservation of migratory waterfowl 
92.5 	habitat;
92.6 	(4) acquisition of and access to structure sites; and
92.7 	(5) the promotion of waterfowl habitat development and maintenance, including 
92.8 	promotion and evaluation of government farm program benefits for waterfowl habitat.
92.9 	(b) Money in the account may not be used for costs unless they are directly related to a 
92.10 	specific parcel of land or body of water under paragraph (a), clause (1), (3), (4), or (5), or 
92.11 	to specific management activities under paragraph (a), clause (2).

92.12 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.341, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
92.13 		Subdivision 1.Liability for restitution. A person who kills, injures, or possesses a wild 
92.14 	animal in violation of the game and fish laws or section 343.21 is liable to the state for the 
92.15 	value of the wild animal as provided in this section. Species afforded protection include 
92.16 	members of the following groups as defined by statute or rule: game fish, native rough fish, 
92.17 	game birds, big game, small game, fur-bearing animals, minnows, and threatened and 
92.18 	endangered animal species. Other animal species may be added by rule of the commissioner 
92.19 	as determined after public meetings and notification of the chairs of the environment and 
92.20 	natural resources committees in the senate and house of representatives.

92.21 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.341, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
92.22 		Subd. 2.Arrest and charging procedure. (a) An enforcement officer who arrests a 
92.23 	person for killing, injuring, or possessing a wild animal in violation of the game and fish 
92.24 	laws or section 343.21 must describe the number, species, and restitution value of wild 
92.25 	animals illegally killed, injured, or possessed on the warrant or the notice to appear in court.
92.26 	(b) As part of the charge against a person arrested for killing, injuring, or possessing a 
92.27 	wild animal in violation of the game and fish laws or section 343.21, the prosecuting attorney 
92.28 	must include a demand that restitution be made to the state for the value of the wild animal 
92.29 	killed, injured, or possessed. The demand for restitution is in addition to the criminal penalties 
92.30 	otherwise provided for the violation.

93.1 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.341, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
93.2 		Subd. 3.Sentencing procedure. If a person is convicted of or pleads guilty to killing, 
93.3 	injuring, or possessing a wild animal in violation of the game and fish laws or section 343.21, 
93.4 	the court must require the person to pay restitution to the state for replacement of the wild 
93.5 	animal as part of the sentence or state in writing why restitution was not imposed. The court 
93.6 	may consider the economic circumstances of the person and, in lieu of monetary restitution, 
93.7 	order the person to perform conservation work representing the amount of restitution that 
93.8 	will aid the propagation of wild animals. If the court does not order a person to pay restitution, 
93.9 	the court administrator must send a copy of the court order to the commissioner.

93.10 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.345, is amended to read:
93.11 	97A.345 RESTITUTION VALUE OF WILD ANIMALS.
93.12 	(a) The commissioner may, by rules adopted under chapter 14, prescribe the dollar value 
93.13 	to the state of species of wild animals. The value may reflect the value to other persons to 
93.14 	legally take the wild animal, the replacement cost, or the intrinsic value to the state of the 
93.15 	wild animals. Species of wild animals with similar values may be grouped together.
93.16 	(b) The value of a wild animal under the rules adopted by the commissioner is prima 
93.17 	facie evidence of a wild animal's value under section 97A.341.
93.18 	(c) The commissioner shall report annually to the legislature the amount of restitution 
93.19 	collected under section 97A.341 and the manner in which the funds were expended.
93.20 	(d) When a person kills, injures, or possesses a wild animal in violation of section 343.21, 
93.21 	the restitution value prescribed by the commissioner under paragraph (a) is doubled.

93.22 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 97A.405, subdivision 2, is amended 
93.23 	to read:
93.24 		Subd. 2.Personal possession. (a) A person acting under a license or traveling from an 
93.25 	area where a licensed activity was performed must have in personal possession:
93.26 	(1) the proper paper license, if the license has been issued to and received by the person;
93.27 	(2) a driver's license or Minnesota identification card that bears a valid designation of 
93.28 	the proper lifetime license, as provided under section 171.07, subdivision 19;
93.29 	(3) the proper paper license identification number or stamp validation, if the license has 
93.30 	been sold to the person by electronic means but the actual license has not been issued and 
93.31 	received; or
94.1 	(4) electronic or other evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the person has the 
94.2 	proper paperless license.
94.3 	(b) If possession of a license or a license identification number is required, a person 
94.4 	must exhibit, as requested by a conservation officer or peace officer: (1) the proper paper 
94.5 	license if the license has been issued to and received by the person; (2) a driver's license or 
94.6 	Minnesota identification card that bears a valid designation of the proper lifetime license, 
94.7 	as provided under section 171.07, subdivision 19; (3) the proper paper license identification 
94.8 	number or stamp validation and a valid state driver's license, state identification card, or 
94.9 	other form of identification provided by the commissioner, if the license has been sold to 
94.10 	the person by electronic means but the actual license has not been issued and received; or 
94.11 	(4) electronic or other evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the person has the 
94.12 	proper paperless license. A person charged with violating the license possession requirement 
94.13 	shall not be convicted if the person produces in court or the office of the arresting officer, 
94.14 	the actual license previously issued to that person, which was valid at the time of arrest, or 
94.15 	satisfactory proof that at the time of the arrest the person was validly licensed. Upon request 
94.16 	of a conservation officer or peace officer, a licensee shall write the licensee's name in the 
94.17 	presence of the officer to determine the identity of the licensee.
94.18 	(c) Except as provided in paragraph (a), clauses (2) and (4), if the actual license has been 
94.19 	issued and received, a receipt for license fees, a copy of a license, or evidence showing the 
94.20 	issuance of a license, including the license identification number or stamp validation, does 
94.21 	not entitle a licensee to exercise the rights or privileges conferred by a license.
94.22 	(d) A paper license issued electronically and not immediately provided to the licensee 
94.23 	shall be mailed to the licensee within 30 days of purchase of the license. A pictorial migratory 
94.24 	waterfowl, pheasant, trout and salmon, or walleye stamp shall be provided to the licensee 
94.25 	after purchase of a stamp validation only if the licensee pays an additional fee that covers 
94.26 	the costs of producing and mailing a pictorial stamp. A pictorial turkey stamp may be 
94.27 	purchased for a fee that covers the costs of producing and mailing the pictorial stamp. 
94.28 	Notwithstanding section 16A.1283, the commissioner may, by written order published in 
94.29 	the State Register, establish fees for providing the pictorial stamps. The fees must be set in 
94.30 	an amount that does not recover significantly more or less than the cost of producing and 
94.31 	mailing the stamps. The fees are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and 
94.32 	section 14.386 does not apply.
94.33 	(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), a person may use a digital image of a 
94.34 	paper license issued to and received by the person to meet the requirement to possess the 
94.35 	proper paper license under paragraph (a), clause (1), and may exhibit to a conservation 
95.1 	officer or peace officer a digital image of a paper license issued to and received by the 
95.2 	person to meet the requirements of paragraph (b). This paragraph expires March 1, 2026.

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

95.4 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.421, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
95.5 		Subd. 2.Issuance after conviction; buying and selling wild animals. A person may 
95.6 	not obtain a license to take any wild animal or take wild animals under a lifetime license, 
95.7 	issued under section 97A.473 or 97A.474, for a period of three years after being convicted 
95.8 	of buying or selling game fish, native rough fish, big game, or small game, and the total 
95.9 	amount of the sale is $300 or more.

95.10 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.425, is amended by adding a subdivision 
95.11 	to read:
95.12 		Subd. 3a.Waste disposal. (a) Licensed taxidermists must dispose of all cervid carcasses 
95.13 	or cervid parts not returned to the patron, all biosolids resulting from cleaning cervid skulls, 
95.14 	and all carrion beetles and beetle waste used to clean cervid skulls. All disposals must be 
95.15 	to a disposal facility or transfer station that is permitted to accept it, and proof of the disposal 
95.16 	must be retained for inspection.
95.17 	(b) The following cervid parts are exempt from the disposal requirement:
95.18 	(1) cervid hides from which all excess tissue has been removed;
95.19 	(2) if free of brain and muscle tissues, whole or portions of skulls, antlers, or teeth; and
95.20 	(3) finished taxidermy mounts.

95.21 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.425, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
95.22 		Subd. 4.Rules. The commissioner may adopt rules, not inconsistent with subdivisions 
95.23 	1 to 3 3a, governing record keeping, reporting, and marking of specimens by taxidermists.

95.24 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.475, subdivision 39, is amended to read:
95.25 		Subd. 39.Fish packer. The fee for a license to prepare dressed game fish or native rough 
95.26 	fish for transportation or shipment is $40.

95.27 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.505, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
95.28 		Subd. 8.Importing Cervidae carcasses. (a) Importing Cervidae carcasses procured by 
95.29 	any means into Minnesota is prohibited except for:
96.1 	(1) cut and wrapped meat,;
96.2 	(2) quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached,;
96.3 	(3) antlers, hides, or teeth, finished taxidermy mounts, and;
96.4 	(4) if cleaned of all brain tissue, antlers attached to skull caps that are cleaned of all brain 
96.5 	tissue. or whole skulls; and
96.6 	(5) finished taxidermy mounts.
96.7 	(b) Cervidae carcasses originating from outside Minnesota may be transported on a 
96.8 	direct route through the state by nonresidents.
96.9 	(c) Heads from cervids with or without the cape and neck attached that originate from 
96.10 	outside Minnesota may be transported into Minnesota only if they are delivered to a licensed 
96.11 	taxidermist within 48 hours of entering Minnesota.

96.12 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.551, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
96.13 		Subd. 2.Fish transported through state. A person may not transport game fish or 
96.14 	native rough fish taken in another state or country through the state during the closed season 
96.15 	or in excess of the possession limit unless the fish are:
96.16 	(1) transported by common carrier; or
96.17 	(2) tagged, sealed, or marked as prescribed by the commissioner.

96.18 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.022, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
96.19 		Subd. 2.Requirements. (a) A resident or nonresident born after December 31, 1979, 
96.20 	who is age 12 or over and who does not possess a hunter education firearms safety certificate
96.21 	or a resident or nonresident born after December 31, 1989, who does not possess a trapper 
96.22 	education certificate may be issued an apprentice-hunter/trapper validation. An 
96.23 	apprentice-hunter/trapper validation may be purchased two license years in a lifetime and 
96.24 	used to obtain hunting or trapping licenses during the same license year that the validation 
96.25 	is purchased.
96.26 	(b) An individual in possession of an apprentice-hunter/trapper validation may hunt take
96.27 	small game, deer, and bear only when accompanied by an adult who has a valid license to 
96.28 	hunt take the same species of game in Minnesota and whose license was not obtained using 
96.29 	an apprentice-hunter validation.
97.1 	(c) When an individual in possession of an apprentice-hunter/trapper validation is hunting 
97.2 	turkey or prairie chicken under paragraph (b), the accompanying adult may be licensed for 
97.3 	another permit area or time period but must be licensed for the same season as the apprentice 
97.4 	hunter. If the accompanying adult is not licensed for the same permit area or time period 
97.5 	as the apprentice hunter, the accompanying adult may not shoot or possess a firearm or bow 
97.6 	while accompanying the apprentice hunter under this paragraph.
97.7 	(d) An apprentice-hunter/trapper-validation holder must obtain all required licenses and 
97.8 	stamps.

97.9 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.022, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
97.10 		Subd. 3.Apprentice-hunter/trapper validation; fee. The fee for an 
97.11 	apprentice-hunter/trapper validation is $3.50. Fees collected must be deposited in the firearms 
97.12 	safety and trapper education training account, except for the electronic licensing system 
97.13 	commission established by the commissioner under section 84.027, subdivision 15, and 
97.14 	issuing fees collected under section 97A.485, subdivision 6, and are appropriated annually 
97.15 	to the Enforcement Division of the Department of Natural Resources for administering the 
97.16 	firearm safety course program and trapper education programs.

97.17 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 97B.037, is amended to read:
97.18 	97B.037 CROSSBOW HUNTING.
97.19 	(a) Notwithstanding section 97B.035, subdivisions 1 and 2, a person may take deer, 
97.20 	bear, turkey, common carp, or native rough fish by crossbow during the respective regular 
97.21 	archery seasons. The transportation requirements of section 97B.051 apply to crossbows 
97.22 	during the regular archery deer, bear, turkey, common carp, or native rough fish season. 
97.23 	Crossbows must meet the requirements of section 97B.106, subdivision 2. A person taking 
97.24 	deer, bear, turkey, common carp, or native rough fish by crossbow under this section must 
97.25 	have a valid license to take the respective game.
97.26 	(b) This section expires June 30, 2025.

97.27 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.055, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
97.28 		Subd. 2.Restrictions related to motor vehicles. (a) A person may not take a wild 
97.29 	animal with a firearm or by archery from a motor vehicle except as permitted in this section.
97.30 	(b) A person may not shoot at a decoy of a wild animal that is placed by a licensed peace 
97.31 	officer by:
98.1 	(1) discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle; or
98.2 	(2) discharging an arrow from a bow from a motor vehicle.
98.3 	(c) Notwithstanding section 97B.091, a person may transport a bow uncased while in a 
98.4 	motorized watercraft and may take native rough fish and common carp while in the boat as 
98.5 	provided in section 97C.376, subdivision 3.

98.6 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 97B.071, is amended to read:
98.7 	97B.071 CLOTHING AND GROUND BLIND REQUIREMENTS; BLAZE 
98.8 	ORANGE OR BLAZE PINK.
98.9 	(a) Except as provided in rules adopted under paragraph (d), a person may not hunt or 
98.10 	trap during the open season where deer may be taken by firearms under applicable laws and 
98.11 	ordinances, unless the visible portion of the person's cap and outer clothing above the waist, 
98.12 	excluding sleeves and gloves, is blaze orange or blaze pink. Blaze orange or blaze pink 
98.13 	includes a camouflage pattern of at least 50 percent blaze orange or blaze pink within each 
98.14 	foot square. This section does not apply to migratory-waterfowl hunters on waters of this 
98.15 	state or in a stationary shooting location or to trappers on waters of this state.
98.16 	(b) Except as provided in rules adopted under paragraph (d), and in addition to the 
98.17 	requirement in paragraph (a), a person may not take small game other than turkey, migratory 
98.18 	birds, raccoons, and predators, except while trapping, unless a visible portion of at least one 
98.19 	article of the person's clothing above the waist is blaze orange or blaze pink. This paragraph 
98.20 	does not apply to a person when in a stationary location while hunting deer by archery or 
98.21 	when hunting small game by falconry.
98.22 	(c) A person hunting deer in a fabric or synthetic ground blind on public land must have:
98.23 	(1) a blaze orange safety covering on the top of the blind that is visible for 360 degrees 
98.24 	around the blind; or
98.25 	(2) at least 144 square inches of blaze orange material on each side of the blind.
98.26 	(d) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe an alternative color in cases where 
98.27 	paragraph (a) or (b) would violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, Public 
98.28 	Law 103-141.
98.29 	(e) A violation of paragraph (b) does not result in a penalty, but is punishable only by 
98.30 	a safety warning.

99.1 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.106, is amended to read:
99.2 	97B.106 CROSSBOW PERMITS FOR HUNTING AND FISHING.
99.3 		Subdivision 1.Eligibility. (a) The commissioner may issue a special permit, without a 
99.4 	fee, to take big game, small game, ornative rough fish, or common carp with a crossbow 
99.5 	to a person that is unable to hunt or take native rough fish or common carp by archery 
99.6 	because of a permanent or temporary physical disability. A crossbow permit issued under 
99.7 	this section also allows the permittee to use a bow with a mechanical device that draws, 
99.8 	releases, or holds the bow at full draw as provided in section 97B.035, subdivision 1, 
99.9 	paragraph (a).
99.10 	(b) To qualify for a crossbow permit under this section, a temporary disability must 
99.11 	render the person unable to hunt or fish by archery for a minimum of two years after 
99.12 	application for the permit is made. The permanent or temporary disability must be established 
99.13 	by medical evidence, and the inability to hunt or fish by archery for the required period of 
99.14 	time must be verified in writing by (1) a licensed physician, licensed advanced practice 
99.15 	registered nurse, or licensed physician assistant; or (2) a licensed chiropractor. A person 
99.16 	who has received a special permit under this section because of a permanent disability is 
99.17 	eligible for subsequent special permits without providing medical evidence and verification 
99.18 	of the disability.
99.19 	(c) The person must obtain the appropriate license.
99.20 		Subd. 2.Equipment requirements. (a) A crossbow used for hunting under the provisions 
99.21 	of this section must:
99.22 	(1) be fired from the shoulder;
99.23 	(2) deliver at least 42 foot-pounds of energy at a distance of ten feet;
99.24 	(3) have a working safety; and
99.25 	(4) be used with arrows or bolts at least ten inches long.
99.26 	(b) An arrow or bolt used to take big game or turkey under the provisions of this section 
99.27 	must meet the legal arrowhead requirements in section 97B.211, subdivision 2.
99.28 	(c) An arrow or bolt used to take native rough fish or common carp with a crossbow 
99.29 	under the provisions of this section must be tethered or controlled by an attached line.

100.1 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.318, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
100.2 		Subdivision 1.Shotgun use area. During the regular firearms season in the shotgun use 
100.3 	area, only legal shotguns loaded with single-slug shotgun shells, legal muzzle-loading long 
100.4 	guns, and legal handguns may be used for taking deer. Legal shotguns include those with 
100.5 	rifled barrels. The shotgun use area is that portion of the state lying within the following 
100.6 	described boundary: Beginning on the west boundary of the state at the northern boundary 
100.7 	of Clay County; thence along the northern boundary of Clay County to State Trunk Highway 
100.8 	(STH) 32; thence along STH 32 to STH 34; thence along STH 34 to Interstate Highway 94 
100.9 	(I-94); thence along I-94 to County State-Aid Highway (CSAH) 40, Douglas County; thence 
100.10 	along CSAH 40 to CSAH 82, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 82 to CSAH 22, Douglas 
100.11 	County; thence along CSAH 22 to CSAH 6, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 6 to 
100.12 	CSAH 14, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 14 to STH 29; thence along STH 29 to 
100.13 	CSAH 46, Otter Tail County; thence along CSAH 46, Otter Tail County, to CSAH 22, Todd 
100.14 	County; thence along CSAH 22 to U.S. Highway 71; thence along U.S. Highway 71 to STH 
100.15 	27; thence along STH 27 to the Mississippi River; thence along the east bank of the 
100.16 	Mississippi River to STH 23; thence along STH 23 to STH 95; thence along STH 95 to 
100.17 	U.S. Highway 8; thence along U.S. Highway 8 to the eastern boundary of the state; thence 
100.18 	along the east, south, and west boundaries of the state to the point of beginning consisting 
100.19 	of Blue Earth, Dodge, Freeborn, Mower, Nicollet, and Olmsted Counties, until such time 
100.20 	as each respective county elects not to be included in the shotgun use area.

100.21 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.001, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
100.22 		Subd. 2.Public notice and meeting comment. (a) Before the commissioner designates, 
100.23 	or vacates or extends the designation of, experimental waters, a public meeting must be 
100.24 	held in the county where the largest portion of the waters is located notice of the proposed 
100.25 	change must be provided in the county where the largest portion of the waters is located, a 
100.26 	virtual or in-person meeting must be held, and opportunity to submit public comment must 
100.27 	be offered.
100.28 	(b) At least 90 days before the public meeting and during the open angling season for 
100.29 	fish the taking of which is, or is proposed to be, regulated under subdivision 3 on the waters 
100.30 	under consideration, Before the year that the designation is to become effective, the 
100.31 	commissioner must give notice of the proposed designation, vacation, or extension must 
100.32 	be. The notice must summarize the proposed action and invite public comment. Public 
100.33 	comments must be accepted at least through September 30, and the commissioner must 
100.34 	consider any public comments received in making a final decision. Notice must include:
101.1 	(1) signs of the proposed changes and instructions for submitting comments posted at 
101.2 	publicly maintained access points on the water. by June 1;
101.3 	(2) a list of proposed changes posted on the department's website by June 1, summarizing 
101.4 	the proposed actions and inviting public comment; and
101.5 	(3) a news release issued by the commissioner by July 1, a notice published in a 
101.6 	newspaper of general circulation in the area where the waters are located by August 20, and 
101.7 	at least one more digital media communication published by August 31.
101.8 	(c) Before the public meeting, notice of the meeting must be published in a news release 
101.9 	issued by the commissioner and in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the 
101.10 	proposed experimental waters are located. The notice must be published at least once between 
101.11 	30 and 60 days before the meeting, and at least once between seven and 30 days before the 
101.12 	meeting. A virtual or in-person meeting must be held before September 20 where public 
101.13 	comment must be accepted. An in-person meeting, where public comment must be accepted, 
101.14 	must be held in the county where the largest portion of the waters is located if:
101.15 	(1) a water or connected waters to be designated is over 5,000 acres or a stream or river 
101.16 	reach is over 10 miles; or
101.17 	(2) a request for an in-person meeting is submitted to the commissioner by August 20 
101.18 	before the year that the designation is to become effective.
101.19 	(d) The notices required in this subdivision must summarize the proposed action, invite 
101.20 	public comment, and specify a deadline for the receipt of public comments. The 
101.21 	commissioner shall mail a copy of each required notice to persons who have registered their 
101.22 	names with the commissioner for this purpose. The commissioner shall consider any public 
101.23 	comments received in making a final decision.
101.24 	(e) If a water to be designated is a lake with a water area of more than 1,500 acres, or 
101.25 	is a stream or river with a reach of more than six miles, a public meeting must also be held 
101.26 	in the seven-county metropolitan area.

101.27 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.005, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
101.28 		Subd. 2.Public notice and meeting comment. (a) Before the commissioner designates 
101.29 	special management waters, public comment must be received and, for waters other than 
101.30 	those proposed to be designated as trout streams or trout lakes, a public meeting must be 
101.31 	held in the county where the largest portion of the waters is located notice of the proposed 
101.32 	designation must be given, a virtual or in-person meeting must be held, and opportunity to 
101.33 	submit public comment must be offered.
102.1 	(b) For waters previously designated as experimental waters, a proposed change in status 
102.2 	to special management waters must be announced before the public meeting by notice 
102.3 	published in a news release issued by the commissioner and in a newspaper of general 
102.4 	circulation in the area where the waters are located. The notice must be published at least 
102.5 	once between 30 and 60 days before the public meeting, and at least once between seven 
102.6 	and 30 days before the meeting. If a water proposed to be designated is a lake with a water 
102.7 	area of more than 1,500 acres, or is a stream or river with a reach of more than six miles, a 
102.8 	public meeting must also be held in the seven-county metropolitan area.
102.9 	(c) For proposed special management waters, other than designated trout lakes and 
102.10 	designated trout streams, that were not previously designated as experimental waters, notice 
102.11 	of the proposed designation must be given as provided in this paragraph. The notice must 
102.12 	be posted at publicly maintained access points at least 90 days before the public meeting 
102.13 	and during the open angling season for fish the taking of which on the waters is proposed 
102.14 	to be regulated under subdivision 3. Before the public meeting, notice of the meeting must 
102.15 	be published in a news release issued by the commissioner and in a newspaper of general 
102.16 	circulation in the area where the proposed special management waters are located. The 
102.17 	notice must be published at least once between 30 and 60 days before the meeting, and at 
102.18 	least once between seven and 30 days before the meeting. If a water to be designated is a 
102.19 	lake with a water area of more than 1,500 acres, or is a stream or river with a reach of more 
102.20 	than six miles, a public meeting must also be held in the seven-county metropolitan area.
102.21 	(b) For proposed special management waters other than designated trout lakes and 
102.22 	designated trout streams, before the year that the designation is to become effective, the 
102.23 	commissioner must give notice of the proposed designation. The notice must summarize 
102.24 	the proposed action and invite public comment. Public comments must be accepted at least 
102.25 	through September 30, and the commissioner must consider any public comments received 
102.26 	in making a final decision. Notice must include:
102.27 	(1) signs of the proposed designation and instructions for submitting comments posted 
102.28 	at publicly maintained access points on the water by June 1;
102.29 	(2) a list of proposed designations posted on the department's website by June 1, 
102.30 	summarizing the proposed action and inviting public comment; and
102.31 	(3) a news release issued by the commissioner by July 1, a notice published in a 
102.32 	newspaper of general circulation in the area where the waters are located by August 15, and 
102.33 	at least one more digital media communication published by August 31.
103.1 	(c) A virtual or in-person meeting must be held before September 20 where public 
103.2 	comment must be accepted. An in-person meeting, where public comment must be accepted, 
103.3 	must be held in the county where the largest portion of the waters is located if:
103.4 	(1) a water to be designated is a lake over 5,000 acres or is a stream or river reach over 
103.5 	10 miles; or
103.6 	(2) a request for an in-person meeting is submitted to the commissioner by August 20 
103.7 	before the year that the designation is to become effective.
103.8 	(d) For waters proposed to be designated as trout streams or trout lakes, notice of the 
103.9 	proposed designation must be published at least 90 days before the effective date of the 
103.10 	designation in a news release issued by the commissioner and in a newspaper of general 
103.11 	circulation in the area where the waters are located. In addition, all riparian owners along 
103.12 	the waters must be notified at least 90 days before the effective date of the designation.
103.13 	(e) The notices required in this subdivision must summarize the proposed action, invite 
103.14 	public comment, and specify a deadline for the receipt of public comments. The 
103.15 	commissioner shall mail a copy of each required notice to persons who have registered their 
103.16 	names with the commissioner for this purpose. The commissioner shall consider any public 
103.17 	comments received in making a final decision.

103.18 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.025, is amended to read:
103.19 	97C.025 FISHING AND MOTORBOATS RESTRICTED IN CERTAIN AREAS.
103.20 	(a) The commissioner may prohibit or restrict the taking of fish or the operation of 
103.21 	motorboats by posting waters that:
103.22 	(1) are designated as spawning beds or fish preserves;
103.23 	(2) are being used by the commissioner for fisheries research or management activities; 
103.24 	or
103.25 	(3) are licensed by the commissioner as a private fish hatchery or aquatic farm under 
103.26 	section 17.4984, subdivision 1, or 97C.211, subdivision 1.
103.27 	An area may be posted under this paragraph if necessary to prevent excessive depletion of 
103.28 	fish or interference with fisheries research or management activities or private fish hatchery 
103.29 	or aquatic farm operations.
103.30 	(b) The commissioner will consider the following criteria in determining if waters 
103.31 	licensed under a private fish hatchery or aquatic farm should be posted under paragraph (a):
104.1 	(1) the waters contain game fish brood stock or native rough fish brood stock and the 
104.2 	brood stock that are is vital to the private fish hatchery or aquatic farm operation;
104.3 	(2) game fish or native rough fish are present in the licensed waters only as a result of 
104.4 	aquaculture activities by the licensee; and
104.5 	(3) no public access to the waters existed when the waters were first licensed.
104.6 	(c) A private fish hatchery or aquatic farm licensee may not take fish or authorize others 
104.7 	to take fish in licensed waters that are posted under paragraph (a), except as provided in 
104.8 	section 17.4983, subdivision 3, and except that if waters are posted to allow the taking of 
104.9 	fish under special restrictions, licensees and others who can legally access the waters may 
104.10 	take fish under those special restrictions.
104.11 	(d) Before March 1, 2003, riparian landowners adjacent to licensed waters on April 30, 
104.12 	2002, and riparian landowners who own land adjacent to waters licensed after April 30, 
104.13 	2002, on the date the waters become licensed waters, plus their children and grandchildren, 
104.14 	may take two daily limits of fish per month under an angling license subject to the other 
104.15 	limits and conditions in the game and fish laws.
104.16 	(e) Except as provided in paragraphs (c), (d), and (f), a person may not take fish or 
104.17 	operate a motorboat if prohibited by posting under paragraph (a).
104.18 	(f) An owner of riparian land adjacent to an area posted under paragraph (a) may operate 
104.19 	a motorboat through the area by the shortest direct route at a speed of not more than five 
104.20 	miles per hour.
104.21 	(g) Postings for water bodies designated under paragraph (a), clause (1), or being used 
104.22 	for fisheries research or management under paragraph (a), clause (2), are not subject to the 
104.23 	rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and section 14.386 does not apply.

104.24 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.035, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
104.25 		Subd. 3.Taking fish. (a) The commissioner may authorize residents to take fish:
104.26 	(1) in any quantity;
104.27 	(2) in any manner, except by use of seines, hoop nets, fyke nets, and explosives; and
104.28 	(3) for personal use only, except rough fish common carp may be sold.
104.29 	(b) The commissioner may authorize the taking of fish by posting notice conspicuously 
104.30 	along the shore of the waters and publishing a news release in a newspaper of general 
104.31 	circulation in the area where the waters are located.

105.1 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 97C.041, is amended to read:
105.2 	97C.041 COMMISSIONER MAY REMOVE NATIVE ROUGH FISH.
105.3 	The commissioner may take native rough fish, common carp, and rainbow smelt with 
105.4 	seines, nets, and other devices. The commissioner may hire or contract persons, or issue 
105.5 	permits, to take the fish. The commissioner shall prescribe the manner of taking and disposal. 
105.6 	The commissioner may award a contract under this section without competitive bidding. 
105.7 	Before establishing the contractor's compensation, the commissioner must consider the 
105.8 	qualifications of the contractor, including the contractor's equipment, knowledge of the 
105.9 	waters, and ability to perform the work.

105.10 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.045, is amended to read:
105.11 	97C.045 REMOVING COMMMON CARP AND NATIVE ROUGH FISH FROM 
105.12 	BOUNDARY WATERS.
105.13 	The commissioner may enter into agreements with North Dakota, South Dakota, 
105.14 	Wisconsin, and Iowa, relating to the removal of common carp and native rough fish in 
105.15 	boundary waters. The agreements may include:
105.16 	(1) contracting to remove common carp and native rough fish;
105.17 	(2) inspection of the work;
105.18 	(3) the division of proceeds; and
105.19 	(4) regulating the taking of common carp and native rough fish.

105.20 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.081, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
105.21 		Subd. 3a.No permit required. A person may conduct a fishing contest without a permit 
105.22 	from the commissioner if:
105.23 	(1) the contest is not limited to specifically named waters;
105.24 	(2) the contest is limited to rough fish common carp and participants are required to fish 
105.25 	with a hook and line; or
105.26 	(3) the total prize value is $500 or less.

106.1 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.211, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
106.2 		Subd. 5.Price of game fish fry and eggs. The commissioner may sell or barter game 
106.3 	fish or native rough fish fry or eggs for not less than the cost associated with the production 
106.4 	of eggs or fry.

106.5 	Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 97C.371, subdivision 1, is amended 
106.6 	to read:
106.7 		Subdivision 1.Species allowed. Only common carp, native rough fish, catfish, lake 
106.8 	whitefish, cisco (tulibee), and northern pike may be taken by spearing.

106.9 	Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.375, is amended to read:
106.10 	97C.375 TAKING NATIVE ROUGH FISH AND COMMON CARP BY 
106.11 	SPEARING.
106.12 	(a) A resident or nonresident may take native rough fish and common carp by spearing 
106.13 	according to paragraph (b) and during the times, in waters, and in the manner prescribed 
106.14 	by the commissioner.
106.15 	(b) Suckers may be taken by spearing from the last Saturday in April May 1 through the 
106.16 	last Sunday day in February.

106.17 	Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.376, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
106.18 		Subdivision 1.Season. (a) The regular bow-fishing season for residents and nonresidents 
106.19 	is from the last Saturday in April to May 1 through the last Sunday day in February at any 
106.20 	time of the day.
106.21 	(b) The early bow-fishing season for residents and nonresidents is open only south of 
106.22 	State Highway 210 from the Monday after the last Sunday in February to the Friday before
106.23 	March 1 through the last Saturday day in April at any time of the day. During the early 
106.24 	season, a person may bow fish:
106.25 	(1) only from a boat; and
106.26 	(2) only while on a lake or on the Mississippi, Minnesota, or St. Croix River.

107.1 	Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.376, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
107.2 		Subd. 5.Returning native rough fish and common carp to waters. Native rough fish 
107.3 	and common carp taken by bow fishing shall must not be returned to the water, and native 
107.4 	rough fish and common carp may not be left on the banks of any water of the state.

107.5 	Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.381, is amended to read:
107.6 	97C.381 HARPOONING NATIVE ROUGH FISH.
107.7 	A resident or nonresident may use a rubber powered gun, spring gun, or compressed air 
107.8 	gun to take native rough fish and common carp by harpooning. The harpoon must be fastened 
107.9 	to a line not more than 20 feet long. The commissioner may prescribe the times, the waters, 
107.10 	and the manner for harpooning native rough fish and common carp.

107.11 	Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.385, is amended to read:
107.12 	97C.385 COMMISSIONER'S AUTHORITY TO REGULATE WINTER FISHING.
107.13 		Subdivision 1.Effect on summer angling season. If the commissioner closes the 
107.14 	statutory open season for the spearing of a game fish or native rough fish species in any 
107.15 	waters, the commissioner must, in the same rule, close the following statutory open season 
107.16 	for angling for the same species in the waters in the same proportion.
107.17 		Subd. 2.Effect on summer angling limits. If the commissioner reduces the limit of a 
107.18 	species of game fish or native rough fish taken by spearing in any waters under section 
107.19 	97A.045, subdivision 2, the commissioner must reduce the limit for taking of the species 
107.20 	by angling in the waters during the following open season for angling.
107.21 		Subd. 3.Limiting closures by county. The commissioner may not close the open season 
107.22 	for taking game fish or native rough fish through the ice on more than 50 percent of the 
107.23 	named lakes or streams of a county under section 97A.045, subdivision 2.

107.24 	Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.391, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
107.25 		Subdivision 1.General restrictions. A person may not buy or sell fish taken from the 
107.26 	waters of this state, except:
107.27 	(1) minnows;
107.28 	(2) rough fish common carp;
107.29 	(3) smelt taken from Lake Superior and rivers and streams that flow into Lake Superior;
107.30 	(4) fish taken under licensed commercial fishing operations;
108.1 	(5) fish that are private aquatic life; and
108.2 	(6) fish lawfully taken and subject to sale from other states and countries.

108.3 	Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.395, as amended by Laws 2023, chapter 
108.4 	60, article 4, section 70, is amended to read:
108.5 	97C.395 OPEN SEASONS FOR ANGLING.
108.6 		Subdivision 1.Dates for certain species. (a) The open seasons to take fish by angling 
108.7 	are as follows:
108.8 	(1) for walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, and smallmouth 
108.9 	bass, the Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through the 
108.10 	last Sunday in February;
108.11 	(2) for lake trout, from January 1 through October 31;
108.12 	(3) for the winter season for lake trout, brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and 
108.13 	splake on all lakes located outside or partially within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, 
108.14 	from January 15 through March 31;
108.15 	(4) for the winter season for lake trout, brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and 
108.16 	splake on all lakes located entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, from January 
108.17 	1 through March 31;
108.18 	(5) (2) for brown trout, brook trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, and splake, between January 
108.19 	1 through October 31 as prescribed by the commissioner by rule except as provided in 
108.20 	section 97C.415, subdivision 2; and
108.21 	(6) (3) for salmon, as prescribed by the commissioner by rule.
108.22 	(b) The commissioner shall close the season in areas of the state where fish are spawning 
108.23 	and closing the season will protect the resource.
108.24 		Subd. 2.Continuous season for certain species. For sunfish, white crappie, black 
108.25 	crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, rock bass, white bass, yellow bass, burbot, cisco 
108.26 	(tullibee), common carp, lake whitefish, and native rough fish, the open season is continuous.

108.27 	Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.411, is amended to read:
108.28 	97C.411 STURGEON AND PADDLEFISH.
108.29 	Lake sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon, and paddlefish may not be taken, bought, sold, 
108.30 	transported or possessed except as provided by rule of the commissioner. The commissioner 
109.1 	may only allow the taking of these fish in waters that the state boundary passes through and 
109.2 	in tributaries to the St. Croix River.

109.3 	Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.505, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
109.4 		Subd. 8.Possession for minnow dealers. When nets and traps are lawfully set and 
109.5 	tended, minnows and, incidentally taken game fish under four inches in length, and 
109.6 	incidentally taken native rough fish that are not classified as minnows are not considered 
109.7 	to be in possession until the minnows, native rough fish, or game fish are placed on a motor 
109.8 	vehicle or trailer for transport on land.

109.9 	Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.801, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
109.10 		Subd. 2.Commercial fish netting on Mississippi River. (a) A license is required to 
109.11 	commercially take native rough fish with seines in the Mississippi River from the St. Croix 
109.12 	River junction to St. Anthony Falls.
109.13 	(b) A person may take native rough fish in the Mississippi River, from the St. Croix 
109.14 	River junction to St. Anthony Falls, only with the following equipment and methods:
109.15 	(1) operations shall be conducted only in the flowing waters of the river and in tributary 
109.16 	backwaters prescribed by the commissioner;
109.17 	(2) seines may be used only as prescribed by this section and rules adopted by the 
109.18 	commissioner;
109.19 	(3) seines must be hauled to a landing immediately after being placed;
109.20 	(4) two seines may not be joined together in the water; and
109.21 	(5) a seine may not be landed between sunset and sunrise.

109.22 	Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.805, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
109.23 		Subdivision 1.Open season. (a) The commissioner shall, by rule, prescribe the open 
109.24 	season and open state waters for netting lake whitefish and ciscoes. The commissioner may 
109.25 	open specific lakes and waters that are otherwise closed if the commissioner posts notice 
109.26 	of the date and time in appropriate public places at least 48 hours before the open season 
109.27 	begins.
109.28 	(b) The commissioner may close specific lakes and waters that are otherwise open under 
109.29 	this subdivision if the commissioner posts notice of the closing at a minimum of three sites 
109.30 	on the shore of the waters, including all public water-access sites. Before closing waters 
110.1 	under this paragraph, the commissioner shall determine that the closure is necessary to 
110.2 	protect game fish or native rough fish populations.

110.3 	Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.805, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
110.4 		Subd. 4.No limit on native rough fish netted. Lake whitefish and ciscoes taken under 
110.5 	this section may be taken and possessed without limit. Native rough fish caught while netting 
110.6 	may be retained. All other fish taken while netting must be returned to the water immediately.

110.7 	Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.811, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
110.8 		Subd. 2.Commercial fish defined. For purposes of this section and section 97A.475, 
110.9 	subdivision 30, "commercial fish" are common carp; bowfin; burbot; cisco; goldeye; rainbow 
110.10 	smelt; black bullhead, brown bullhead, and yellow bullhead; lake whitefish; members of 
110.11 	the sucker family, Catostomidae, including white sucker, redhorse, bigmouth buffalo, and 
110.12 	smallmouth buffalo; members of the drum family, Sciaenidae, including sheepshead; and 
110.13 	members of the gar family, Lepisosteidae and native rough fish, except for bowfin.

110.14 	Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.831, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
110.15 		Subdivision 1.Lake whitefish, common carp, and native rough fish. Lake whitefish 
110.16 	and native rough fish may be taken by licensed commercial fishing operators unless otherwise 
110.17 	changed by rule of the commissioner, under section 97C.805, subdivision 1, from Namakan 
110.18 	Lake and Sand Point Lake.

110.19 	Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.835, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
110.20 		Subd. 2.Types of fish permitted. Lake trout, ciscoes, chubs, alewives, lake whitefish, 
110.21 	round whitefish, pygmy whitefish, rainbow smelt, common carp, and native rough fish may 
110.22 	be taken by licensed commercial fishing operators from Lake Superior, in accordance with 
110.23 	this section.

110.24 	Sec. 71. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.835, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
110.25 		Subd. 3.Pound nets and trap nets. Pound or trap nets may be used to take lake whitefish, 
110.26 	round whitefish, pygmy whitefish, ciscoes, chubs, alewives, rainbow smelt, common carp,
110.27 	and native rough fish in Lake Superior, including St. Louis Bay east of the U.S. Highway 
110.28 	53 bridge, under the rules prescribed by the commissioner.

111.1 	Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97C.865, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
111.2 		Subdivision 1.License required; records. (a) A person engaged in a business providing 
111.3 	services to a person taking fish may not prepare dressed game fish or dressed native rough 
111.4 	fish for shipment without a fish packer's license. The fish packer must maintain a permanent 
111.5 	record of:
111.6 	(1) the name, address, and license number of the shipper;
111.7 	(2) the name and address of the consignee; and
111.8 	(3) the number of each species and net weight of fish in the shipment.
111.9 	(b) The records of the fish packer must be made available to an enforcement officer 
111.10 	upon request.

111.11 	Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103F.211, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
111.12 		Subdivision 1.Adoption. The commissioner shall adopt model standards and criteria 
111.13 	for the subdivision, use, and development of shoreland in municipalities and areas outside 
111.14 	of a municipality. The authority to adopt model standards and criteria is exempt from section 
111.15 	14.125 and does not expire. The standards and criteria must include:
111.16 	(1) the area of a lot and length of water frontage suitable for a building site;
111.17 	(2) the placement of structures in relation to shorelines and roads;
111.18 	(3) the placement and construction of sanitary and waste disposal facilities;
111.19 	(4) designation of types of land uses;
111.20 	(5) changes in bottom contours of adjacent public waters;
111.21 	(6) preservation of natural shorelands through the restriction of land uses;
111.22 	(7) variances from the minimum standards and criteria; and
111.23 	(8) for areas outside of a municipality only, a model ordinance.

111.24 	Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 103G.301, subdivision 2, is amended 
111.25 	to read:
111.26 		Subd. 2.Permit application and notification fees. (a) A fee to defray the costs of 
111.27 	receiving, recording, and processing must be paid for a permit application authorized under 
111.28 	this chapter, except for a general permit application, for each request to amend or transfer 
111.29 	an existing permit, and for a notification to request authorization to conduct a project under 
112.1 	a general permit. Fees established under this subdivision, unless specified in paragraph (c), 
112.2 	must comply with section 16A.1285.
112.3 	(b) Proposed projects that require water in excess of 100 million gallons per year must 
112.4 	be assessed fees to recover the costs incurred to evaluate the project and the costs incurred 
112.5 	for environmental review. Fees collected under this paragraph must be credited to an account 
112.6 	in the natural resources fund and are appropriated to the commissioner.
112.7 	(c) The fee to apply for a permit to appropriate water, in addition to any fee under 
112.8 	paragraph (b), is $150. The application fee for a permit to construct or repair a dam that is 
112.9 	subject to a dam safety inspection, to work in public waters, or to divert waters for mining 
112.10 	must be at least $1,200, but not more than $12,000. The fee for a notification to request 
112.11 	authorization to conduct a project under a general permit is $400, except that the fee for a 
112.12 	notification to request authorization to appropriate water under a general permit is $100.

112.13 	Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 103G.315, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
112.14 		Subd. 15.Rules. The commissioner shall adopt rules prescribing standards and criteria 
112.15 	for issuing and denying water-use permits and public-waters-work permits. The authority 
112.16 	to adopt the rules is exempt from section 14.125 and does not expire.

112.17 	Sec. 76. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 115.03, subdivision 1, is amended 
112.18 	to read:
112.19 		Subdivision 1.Generally. (a) The commissioner is given and charged with the following 
112.20 	powers and duties:
112.21 	(1) to administer and enforce all laws relating to the pollution of any of the waters of 
112.22 	the state;
112.23 	(2) to investigate the extent, character, and effect of the pollution of the waters of this 
112.24 	state and to gather data and information necessary or desirable in the administration or 
112.25 	enforcement of pollution laws, and to make such classification of the waters of the state as 
112.26 	it may deem advisable;
112.27 	(3) to establish and alter such reasonable pollution standards for any waters of the state 
112.28 	in relation to the public use to which they are or may be put as it shall deem necessary for 
112.29 	the purposes of this chapter and, with respect to the pollution of waters of the state, chapter 
112.30 	116;
112.31 	(4) to encourage waste treatment, including advanced waste treatment, instead of stream 
112.32 	low-flow augmentation for dilution purposes to control and prevent pollution;
113.1 	(5) to adopt, issue, reissue, modify, deny, or revoke, enter into or enforce reasonable 
113.2 	orders, permits, variances, standards, rules, schedules of compliance, and stipulation 
113.3 	agreements, under such conditions as it may prescribe, in order to prevent, control or abate 
113.4 	water pollution, or for the installation or operation of disposal systems or parts thereof, or 
113.5 	for other equipment and facilities:
113.6 	(i) requiring the discontinuance of the discharge of sewage, industrial waste or other 
113.7 	wastes into any waters of the state resulting in pollution in excess of the applicable pollution 
113.8 	standard established under this chapter;
113.9 	(ii) prohibiting or directing the abatement of any discharge of sewage, industrial waste, 
113.10 	or other wastes, into any waters of the state or the deposit thereof or the discharge into any 
113.11 	municipal disposal system where the same is likely to get into any waters of the state in 
113.12 	violation of this chapter and, with respect to the pollution of waters of the state, chapter 
113.13 	116, or standards or rules promulgated or permits issued pursuant thereto, and specifying 
113.14 	the schedule of compliance within which such prohibition or abatement must be 
113.15 	accomplished;
113.16 	(iii) prohibiting the storage of any liquid or solid substance or other pollutant in a manner 
113.17 	which does not reasonably assure proper retention against entry into any waters of the state 
113.18 	that would be likely to pollute any waters of the state;
113.19 	(iv) requiring the construction, installation, maintenance, and operation by any person 
113.20 	of any disposal system or any part thereof, or other equipment and facilities, or the 
113.21 	reconstruction, alteration, or enlargement of its existing disposal system or any part thereof, 
113.22 	or the adoption of other remedial measures to prevent, control or abate any discharge or 
113.23 	deposit of sewage, industrial waste or other wastes by any person;
113.24 	(v) establishing, and from time to time revising, standards of performance for new sources 
113.25 	taking into consideration, among other things, classes, types, sizes, and categories of sources, 
113.26 	processes, pollution control technology, cost of achieving such effluent reduction, and any 
113.27 	nonwater quality environmental impact and energy requirements. Said standards of 
113.28 	performance for new sources shall encompass those standards for the control of the discharge 
113.29 	of pollutants which reflect the greatest degree of effluent reduction which the agency 
113.30 	determines to be achievable through application of the best available demonstrated control 
113.31 	technology, processes, operating methods, or other alternatives, including, where practicable, 
113.32 	a standard permitting no discharge of pollutants. New sources shall encompass buildings, 
113.33 	structures, facilities, or installations from which there is or may be the discharge of pollutants, 
113.34 	the construction of which is commenced after the publication by the agency of proposed 
114.1 	rules prescribing a standard of performance which will be applicable to such source. 
114.2 	Notwithstanding any other provision of the law of this state, any point source the construction 
114.3 	of which is commenced after May 20, 1973, and which is so constructed as to meet all 
114.4 	applicable standards of performance for new sources shall, consistent with and subject to 
114.5 	the provisions of section 306(d) of the Amendments of 1972 to the Federal Water Pollution 
114.6 	Control Act, not be subject to any more stringent standard of performance for new sources 
114.7 	during a ten-year period beginning on the date of completion of such construction or during 
114.8 	the period of depreciation or amortization of such facility for the purposes of section 167 
114.9 	or 169, or both, of the Federal Internal Revenue Code of 1954, whichever period ends first. 
114.10 	Construction shall encompass any placement, assembly, or installation of facilities or 
114.11 	equipment, including contractual obligations to purchase such facilities or equipment, at 
114.12 	the premises where such equipment will be used, including preparation work at such 
114.13 	premises;
114.14 	(vi) establishing and revising pretreatment standards to prevent or abate the discharge 
114.15 	of any pollutant into any publicly owned disposal system, which pollutant interferes with, 
114.16 	passes through, or otherwise is incompatible with such disposal system;
114.17 	(vii) requiring the owner or operator of any disposal system or any point source to 
114.18 	establish and maintain such records, make such reports, install, use, and maintain such 
114.19 	monitoring equipment or methods, including where appropriate biological monitoring 
114.20 	methods, sample such effluents in accordance with such methods, at such locations, at such 
114.21 	intervals, and in such a manner as the agency shall prescribe, and providing such other 
114.22 	information as the agency may reasonably require;
114.23 	(viii) notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and with respect to the pollution 
114.24 	of waters of the state, chapter 116, requiring the achievement of more stringent limitations 
114.25 	than otherwise imposed by effluent limitations in order to meet any applicable water quality 
114.26 	standard by establishing new effluent limitations, based upon section 115.01, subdivision 
114.27 	13, clause (b), including alternative effluent control strategies for any point source or group 
114.28 	of point sources to insure the integrity of water quality classifications, whenever the agency 
114.29 	determines that discharges of pollutants from such point source or sources, with the 
114.30 	application of effluent limitations required to comply with any standard of best available 
114.31 	technology, would interfere with the attainment or maintenance of the water quality 
114.32 	classification in a specific portion of the waters of the state. Prior to establishment of any 
114.33 	such effluent limitation, the agency shall hold a public hearing to determine the relationship 
114.34 	of the economic and social costs of achieving such limitation or limitations, including any 
114.35 	economic or social dislocation in the affected community or communities, to the social and 
115.1 	economic benefits to be obtained and to determine whether or not such effluent limitation 
115.2 	can be implemented with available technology or other alternative control strategies. If a 
115.3 	person affected by such limitation demonstrates at such hearing that, whether or not such 
115.4 	technology or other alternative control strategies are available, there is no reasonable 
115.5 	relationship between the economic and social costs and the benefits to be obtained, such 
115.6 	limitation shall not become effective and shall be adjusted as it applies to such person;
115.7 	(ix) modifying, in its discretion, any requirement or limitation based upon best available 
115.8 	technology with respect to any point source for which a permit application is filed after July 
115.9 	1, 1977, upon a showing by the owner or operator of such point source satisfactory to the 
115.10 	agency that such modified requirements will represent the maximum use of technology 
115.11 	within the economic capability of the owner or operator and will result in reasonable further 
115.12 	progress toward the elimination of the discharge of pollutants; and
115.13 	(x) requiring that applicants for wastewater discharge permits evaluate in their 
115.14 	applications the potential reuses of the discharged wastewater;
115.15 	(6) to require to be submitted and to approve plans and specifications for disposal systems 
115.16 	or point sources, or any part thereof and to inspect the construction thereof for compliance 
115.17 	with the approved plans and specifications thereof;
115.18 	(7) to prescribe and alter rules, not inconsistent with law, for the conduct of the agency 
115.19 	and other matters within the scope of the powers granted to and imposed upon it by this 
115.20 	chapter and, with respect to pollution of waters of the state, in chapter 116, provided that 
115.21 	every rule affecting any other department or agency of the state or any person other than a 
115.22 	member or employee of the agency shall be filed with the secretary of state;
115.23 	(8) to conduct such investigations, issue such notices, public and otherwise, and hold 
115.24 	such hearings as are necessary or which it may deem advisable for the discharge of its duties 
115.25 	under this chapter and, with respect to the pollution of waters of the state, under chapter 
115.26 	116, including, but not limited to, the issuance of permits, and to authorize any member, 
115.27 	employee, or agent appointed by it to conduct such investigations or, issue such notices and 
115.28 	hold such hearings;
115.29 	(9) for the purpose of water pollution control planning by the state and pursuant to the 
115.30 	Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, to establish and revise planning areas, 
115.31 	adopt plans and programs and continuing planning processes, including, but not limited to, 
115.32 	basin plans and areawide waste treatment management plans, and to provide for the 
115.33 	implementation of any such plans by means of, including, but not limited to, standards, plan 
116.1 	elements, procedures for revision, intergovernmental cooperation, residual treatment process 
116.2 	waste controls, and needs inventory and ranking for construction of disposal systems;
116.3 	(10) to train water pollution control personnel and charge training fees as are necessary 
116.4 	to cover the agency's costs. All such fees received must be paid into the state treasury and 
116.5 	credited to the Pollution Control Agency training account;
116.6 	(11) to provide chloride reduction training and charge training fees as necessary to cover 
116.7 	the agency's costs not to exceed $350. All training fees received must be paid into the state 
116.8 	treasury and credited to the Pollution Control Agency training account;
116.9 	(12) to impose as additional conditions in permits to publicly owned disposal systems 
116.10 	appropriate measures to insure compliance by industrial and other users with any pretreatment 
116.11 	standard, including, but not limited to, those related to toxic pollutants, and any system of 
116.12 	user charges ratably as is hereby required under state law or said Federal Water Pollution 
116.13 	Control Act, as amended, or any regulations or guidelines promulgated thereunder;
116.14 	(13) to set a period not to exceed five years for the duration of any national pollutant 
116.15 	discharge elimination system permit or not to exceed ten years for any permit issued as a 
116.16 	state disposal system permit only;
116.17 	(14) to require each governmental subdivision identified as a permittee for a wastewater 
116.18 	treatment works to evaluate in every odd-numbered year the condition of its existing system 
116.19 	and identify future capital improvements that will be needed to attain or maintain compliance 
116.20 	with a national pollutant discharge elimination system or state disposal system permit; and
116.21 	(15) to train subsurface sewage treatment system personnel, including persons who 
116.22 	design, construct, install, inspect, service, and operate subsurface sewage treatment systems, 
116.23 	and charge fees as necessary to pay the agency's costs. All fees received must be paid into 
116.24 	the state treasury and credited to the agency's training account. Money in the account is 
116.25 	appropriated to the agency to pay expenses related to training.; and
116.26 	(16) to encourage practices that enable the recovery and use of waste heat from 
116.27 	wastewater treatment operations, in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act, United 
116.28 	States Code, title 33, section 1281(e).
116.29 	(b) The information required in paragraph (a), clause (14), must be submitted in every 
116.30 	odd-numbered year to the commissioner on a form provided by the commissioner. The 
116.31 	commissioner shall provide technical assistance if requested by the governmental subdivision.
116.32 	(c) The powers and duties given the agency in this subdivision also apply to permits 
116.33 	issued under chapter 114C.

117.1 	Sec. 77. [115.544] REGULATION OF DISCHARGES OF GRAY WATER BY 
117.2 	COMMERCIAL HOUSEBOATS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES.
117.3 	Notwithstanding chapter 115 or 116 or any other provision of law, the Pollution Control 
117.4 	Agency may not regulate the discharge of sewage that does not contain toilet wastes by 
117.5 	commercial houseboat operators operating in St. Louis, Koochiching, or Lake County. 
117.6 	Instead, St. Louis, Koochiching, and Lake Counties must regulate those discharges in their 
117.7 	respective counties. A county ordinance adopted under this section must comply with the 
117.8 	federal Clean Boating Act of 2008 and all other applicable federal laws.

117.9 	Sec. 78. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115.55, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
117.10 	read:
117.11 		Subd. 3a.Repaired drainage holes. A precast reinforced concrete tank that has one or 
117.12 	more openings in the exterior walls or tank bottom below the tank liquid level meets 
117.13 	minimum standards and criteria for subsurface sewage treatment systems if:
117.14 	(1) the openings have been repaired or sealed; and
117.15 	(2) all other requirements of the rules adopted under subdivision 3 are met.

117.16 	Sec. 79. [115A.412] WASTE COMPOSITION; INFORMATION REQUIRED.
117.17 		Subdivision 1.Study required. (a) Every two years, beginning in ..., the commissioner 
117.18 	must direct the owners and operators at 20 percent of each of the following facility types 
117.19 	to perform a waste composition study:
117.20 	(1) mixed municipal solid waste land disposal facilities;
117.21 	(2) industrial solid waste land disposal facilities;
117.22 	(3) demolition debris land disposal facilities;
117.23 	(4) resource recovery facilities;
117.24 	(5) transfer stations; and
117.25 	(6) other facilities identified by the commissioner.
117.26 	(b) The waste composition study must be performed at the sole expense of each owner 
117.27 	or operator as directed by the commissioner.
117.28 	(c) When selecting facilities for waste composition studies, the commissioner must rotate 
117.29 	the participants so that, over time, the studies cover the entirety of the facilities identified 
117.30 	under paragraph (a). The commissioner must determine the time frame for each study in 
118.1 	the two-year cycle. The owner or operator of each selected facility must complete the study 
118.2 	within one year of being notified by the commissioner of selection to perform a waste 
118.3 	composition study.
118.4 		Subd. 2.Study requirements. (a) The commissioner must:
118.5 	(1) determine the sampling methods to be used and the categories of materials to be 
118.6 	sampled for waste composition studies; and
118.7 	(2) provide the sampling methods and any additional requirements identified by the 
118.8 	commissioner to each owner or operator directed to perform a study.
118.9 	(b) The sampling methods must include the number of samples to be taken, the size or 
118.10 	weight of each sample, the duration of a sampling event, the sampling interval, and any 
118.11 	additional methods identified by the commissioner. The categories of materials to be sampled 
118.12 	must include categories and subcategories identified by the commissioner to represent the 
118.13 	materials present at each facility.
118.14 		Subd. 3.Report. Within six months after completing a waste composition study required 
118.15 	under this section, the owner or operator of a facility must submit the raw data and results 
118.16 	of the study to the commissioner in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.
118.17 		Subd. 4.Compilation. After each two-year cycle, the commissioner must compile and 
118.18 	summarize the waste composition data received under subdivision 3. The commissioner 
118.19 	must make the summary information available to the public.
118.20 		Subd. 5.Additional studies; information. (a) The commissioner may conduct additional 
118.21 	waste composition studies at facilities described in subdivision 1.
118.22 	(b) Upon request of the commissioner for purposes of determining compliance with this 
118.23 	section, a person must furnish to the commissioner any information that the person has or 
118.24 	may reasonably obtain.
118.25 	(c) The owner or operator of a facility shall allow access upon reasonable notice to 
118.26 	authorized agency staff for the purpose of conducting waste composition studies.

118.27 	Sec. 80. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115A.5502, is amended to read:
118.28 	115A.5502 PACKAGING PRACTICES; PREFERENCES; GOALS.
118.29 	Packaging forms a substantial portion of solid waste and contributes to environmental 
118.30 	degradation and the costs of managing solid waste. It is imperative to reduce the amount 
118.31 	and toxicity of packaging that must be managed as solid waste. In order to achieve significant 
118.32 	reduction of packaging in solid waste and to assist packagers and others to meet the packaging 
119.1 	reduction goal in section 115A.5501, the goal of the state is that items be distributed without 
119.2 	any packaging where feasible and, only when necessary to protect health and safety or 
119.3 	product integrity, with the minimal amount of packaging possible. The following categories 
119.4 	of packaging are listed in order of preference for use by all persons who find it necessary 
119.5 	to package items for distribution or use in the state:
119.6 	(1) minimal packaging that contains no intentionally introduced toxic materials and that 
119.7 	is designed to be and actually is reused for its original purpose at least five times;
119.8 	(2) minimal packaging that contains no intentionally introduced toxic materials and 
119.9 	consists of a significant percentage of postconsumer material;
119.10 	(3) minimal packaging that contains no intentionally introduced toxic materials, that is 
119.11 	recyclable, and is regularly collected through recycling collection programs available to at 
119.12 	least 75 percent of the residents of the state;
119.13 	(4) minimal packaging that does not comply with clause (1), (2), or (3) because it is 
119.14 	required under federal or state law and for which there does not exist a commercially feasible 
119.15 	alternative that does comply with clause (1), (2), or (3);
119.16 	(5) packaging that contains no intentionally introduced toxic materials but does not 
119.17 	comply with clauses (1) to (4); and
119.18 	(6) all other packaging.

119.19 	Sec. 81. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116.0711, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
119.20 		Subdivision 1.Conditions. (a) The agency shall not require feedlot permittees to maintain 
119.21 	records as to rainfall or snowfall as a condition of a general feedlot permit if the owner 
119.22 	directs the commissioner or agent of the commissioner to appropriate data on precipitation 
119.23 	maintained by a government agency or educational institution.
119.24 	(b) A feedlot permittee shall give notice to the agency when the permittee proposes to 
119.25 	transfer ownership or control of the feedlot to a new party. The commissioner shall not 
119.26 	unreasonably withhold or unreasonably delay approval of any transfer request. This request 
119.27 	shall be handled in accordance with sections 116.07 and 15.992.
119.28 	(c) An animal feedlot in shoreland that has been unused may resume operation after 
119.29 	obtaining a permit from the agency or county, regardless of the number of years that the 
119.30 	feedlot was unused.
119.31 	(d) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, chapter 7020, a person who applies manure in a 
119.32 	Level 2 or higher drinking water supply management area as designated under Minnesota 
120.1 	Rules, part 1573.0040, must follow a manure management plan approved by the 
120.2 	commissioner. A manure management plan for a Level 2 or higher drinking water supply 
120.3 	management area must include the Department of Agriculture's recommended best 
120.4 	management practices that are published on the department website for that drinking water 
120.5 	supply management area.

120.6 	Sec. 82. [116.391] RESILIENT COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
120.7 		Subdivision 1.Citation. This section may be cited as the "Minnesota Resilient 
120.8 	Community Act."
120.9 		Subd. 2.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision 
120.10 	have the meanings given.
120.11 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency.
120.12 	(c) "Local government unit" means any unit of government other than a state or federal 
120.13 	unit of government and includes watershed districts established according to chapter 103D, 
120.14 	soil and water conservation districts, watershed management organizations, counties, towns, 
120.15 	cities, port authorities, housing authorities, regional development commissions, school 
120.16 	districts, and the Metropolitan Council.
120.17 	(d) "Tribal government" means any of the Minnesota Tribal governments defined under 
120.18 	section 10.65, subdivision 2, clause (4), and includes Tribal organizations designated by 
120.19 	any of the Minnesota Tribal governments.
120.20 		Subd. 3.Establishment. (a) The commissioner must establish a resilient community 
120.21 	assistance program to:
120.22 	(1) assist local government units, Tribal governments, and other relevant organizations 
120.23 	as determined by the commissioner in adapting to and developing community resilience to 
120.24 	impacts of climate change;
120.25 	(2) help coordinate climate adaptation planning, implementation, and evaluation efforts 
120.26 	among state agencies, local government units, Tribal governments, and other relevant 
120.27 	organizations; and
120.28 	(3) address inequities due to social, economic, historical, and political factors that result 
120.29 	in some communities having less ability to prepare for, cope with, and recover from impacts 
120.30 	of climate change.
120.31 	(b) To address inequities under paragraph (a), clause (3), the commissioner must seek 
120.32 	input and collaboration from disproportionately impacted communities.
121.1 		Subd. 4.Program elements. The resilient community assistance program may include 
121.2 	but is not limited to:
121.3 	(1) developing, assembling, and disseminating information on climate adaptation and 
121.4 	resilience;
121.5 	(2) technical assistance for climate adaptation and resilience;
121.6 	(3) financial assistance programs that provide grants or loans for resilience planning and 
121.7 	for implementing climate adaptation and resilience actions, coordinated with the Public 
121.8 	Facilities Authority, as necessary, for state bond-funded projects;
121.9 	(4) outreach, including seminars, workshops, training programs, and other similar 
121.10 	activities, designed to provide education and information on climate adaptation and resilience 
121.11 	to local government units, Tribal governments, and other relevant organizations as determined 
121.12 	by the commissioner;
121.13 	(5) coordinating, implementing, and measuring progress on climate adaptation and 
121.14 	resilience and measuring local government and Tribal government climate adaptation in 
121.15 	Minnesota; and
121.16 	(6) other efforts needed to support climate adaptation and community resilience in 
121.17 	Minnesota as determined by the commissioner.
121.18 		Subd. 5.Administration. (a) In administering the program, the commissioner may 
121.19 	coordinate with administrators of other public and private programs that provide technical 
121.20 	and financial assistance to local government units, Tribal governments, and other relevant 
121.21 	organizations that receive assistance under this section.
121.22 	(b) The commissioner may make grants to or enter into contracts with public or private 
121.23 	entities to operate elements of the program. Grantees under this paragraph must provide the 
121.24 	commissioner with periodic reports on their efforts to assist in administering the program.
121.25 	(c) When operating or participating in elements of the program according to a grant or 
121.26 	contract under paragraph (b), a person is an employee of the state who is certified to be 
121.27 	acting within the scope of employment for purposes of indemnification under section 3.736, 
121.28 	subdivision 9, for claims that arise out of the information, assistance, and recommendations 
121.29 	covered by the grant or contract. The state is not obligated to defend or indemnify a grantee 
121.30 	or contractor under this subdivision to the extent of the grantee's or contractor's liability 
121.31 	insurance. The grantee's or contractor's right to indemnity is not a waiver of limitations, 
121.32 	defenses, and immunities available to either the grantee or contractor or the state by law.
122.1 		Subd. 6.Award for excellence in community resilience. The governor or commissioner 
122.2 	may issue annual awards in the form of a commendation for excellence in climate adaptation 
122.3 	and resilience. The commissioner must administer applications for the awards.

122.4 	Sec. 83. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 116D.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
122.5 		Subd. 2.State responsibilities. In order to carry out the policy set forth in Laws 1973, 
122.6 	chapter 412, it is the continuing responsibility of the state government to use all practicable 
122.7 	means, consistent with other essential considerations of state policy, to improve and 
122.8 	coordinate state plans, functions, programs and resources to the end that the state may:
122.9 	(1) fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for 
122.10 	succeeding generations;
122.11 	(2) assure for all people of the state safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and 
122.12 	culturally pleasing surroundings;
122.13 	(3) discourage ecologically unsound aspects of population, economic and technological 
122.14 	growth, and develop and implement a policy such that growth occurs only in an 
122.15 	environmentally acceptable manner;
122.16 	(4) preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage, 
122.17 	and maintain, wherever practicable, an environment that supports diversity, and variety of 
122.18 	individual choice;
122.19 	(5) encourage, through education, a better understanding of natural resources management 
122.20 	principles that will develop attitudes and styles of living that minimize environmental 
122.21 	degradation;
122.22 	(6) develop and implement land use and environmental policies, plans, and standards 
122.23 	for the state as a whole and for major regions thereof through a coordinated program of 
122.24 	planning and land use control;
122.25 	(7) define, designate, and protect environmentally sensitive areas;
122.26 	(8) establish and maintain statewide environmental information systems sufficient to 
122.27 	gauge environmental conditions;
122.28 	(9) practice thrift in the use of energy and maximize the use of energy efficient systems 
122.29 	for the utilization of producing, distributing, and using energy, including recovering and 
122.30 	reusing waste heat, and minimize the environmental impact from energy production and 
122.31 	use;
123.1 	(10) preserve important existing natural habitats of rare and endangered species of plants, 
123.2 	wildlife, and fish, and provide for the wise use of our remaining areas of natural habitation, 
123.3 	including necessary protective measures where appropriate;
123.4 	(11) reduce wasteful practices which generate solid wastes;
123.5 	(12) minimize wasteful and unnecessary depletion of nonrenewable resources;
123.6 	(13) conserve natural resources and minimize environmental impact by encouraging 
123.7 	extension of extended product lifetime, bylifetimes; reducing the number of unnecessary 
123.8 	and wasteful materials practices,; and by recycling materials, water, and energy to conserve 
123.9 	both materials and energy virgin resources;
123.10 	(14) improve management of renewable resources in a manner compatible with 
123.11 	environmental protection;
123.12 	(15) provide for reclamation of mined lands and assure that any mining is accomplished 
123.13 	in a manner compatible with environmental protection;
123.14 	(16) reduce the deleterious impact on air and water quality from all sources, including 
123.15 	the deleterious environmental impact due to operation of vehicles with internal combustion 
123.16 	engines in urbanized areas;
123.17 	(17) minimize noise, particularly in urban areas;
123.18 	(18) prohibit, where appropriate, floodplain development in urban and rural areas; and
123.19 	(19) encourage advanced waste treatment in abating water pollution, including practices 
123.20 	that enable the recovery and use of waste heat from wastewater treatment operations, in 
123.21 	accordance with the federal Clean Water Act, United States Code, title 33, section 1281(e).

123.22 	Sec. 84. Laws 2023, chapter 60, article 4, section 109, is amended to read:
123.23 	Sec. 109. ENSURING ADEQUATE BAIT SUPPLY.
 123.24 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 97C.211, 97C.341, and 97C.515, or 
123.25 	any other provision of law, the commissioner of natural resources may adopt emergency 
123.26 	rules in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 84.027, subdivision 13, including by 
123.27 	the expedited emergency process described in Minnesota Statutes, section 84.027, subdivision 
123.28 	13, paragraph (b), to alleviate a shortage of bait in this state, including by allowing 
123.29 	importation of live minnows into the state. Only minnows harvested from waters in states 
123.30 	that are adjacent to Minnesota may be imported under this section.
124.1 	(b) By January 15, 2024, the commissioner, in consultation with bait producers, bait 
124.2 	harvesters, retailers, and other fishing interest groups, must submit recommendations to the 
124.3 	chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees 
124.4 	and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources to ensure a viable 
124.5 	Minnesota-grown bait supply and sustainable bait industry for anglers of Minnesota that 
124.6 	minimizes the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species or fish disease in Minnesota.
124.7 	(c) This section expires June 30, 2025.

124.8 	Sec. 85. REPORT.
 124.9 	By December 1, 2027, the commissioner of natural resources must report to the chairs 
124.10 	and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
124.11 	environment and natural resources on the effect of modifying the shotgun zone on deer 
124.12 	hunting and deer populations. The report may include any recommendations for additional 
124.13 	statutory or policy changes that the commissioner deems advisable.

124.14 	Sec. 86. MANAGEMENT OF KITTSON CENTRAL ELK HERD.
 124.15 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 97B.516, the Department of Natural 
124.16 	Resources may manage the Kittson Central elk herd population to allow for genetic 
124.17 	diversification and herd health. The herd may not be allowed to exceed 130 percent of the 
124.18 	estimated 2023 population under this section.

124.19 	Sec. 87. REQUIRED RULEMAKING.
 124.20 	The commissioner of natural resources may use the good cause exemption under 
124.21 	Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules to conform with 
124.22 	sections 4 to 10, 18, 23 to 26, 28, 29, 34 to 45, and 47 to 74. Minnesota Statutes, section 
124.23 	14.386, does not apply to rules adopted under this section except as provided under Minnesota 
124.24 	Statutes, section 14.388.

124.25 	Sec. 88. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 124.26 	The revisor of statutes must renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.015, subdivision 
124.27 	32b, as Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.015, subdivision 32d, and must renumber Minnesota 
124.28 	Statutes, section 97A.015, subdivision 43, as Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.015, 
124.29 	subdivision 32c.

125.1 	Sec. 89. REPEALER.
 125.2 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 115A.5501, is repealed.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S3631-2 

97A.015 DEFINITIONS.Subd. 27a.License identification number. 
"License identification number" means a verification number issued under the authority of the commissioner in conjunction with the electronic purchase of a license or stamp and valid until the license is received by the purchaser. 

97A.485 ISSUANCE OF LICENSES.Subd. 13.One-day paper fishing licenses. 
The commissioner must allow one-day paper fishing licenses to be sold by fishing guides operating charter boats. 

103A.206 SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION POLICY.
Maintaining and enhancing the quality of soil and water for the environmental and economic benefits they produce, preventing degradation, and restoring degraded soil and water resources of this state contribute greatly to the health, safety, economic well-being, and general welfare of this state and its citizens. Land occupiers have the responsibility to implement practices that conserve the soil and water resources of the state. Soil and water conservation measures implemented on private lands in this state provide benefits to the general public by reducing erosion, sedimentation, siltation, water pollution, and damages caused by floods. The soil and water conservation policy of the state is to encourage land occupiers to conserve soil, water, and the natural resources they support through the implementation of practices that: 

(1) control or prevent erosion, sedimentation, siltation, and related pollution in order to preserve natural resources; 

(2) ensure continued soil health, as defined under section 103C.101, subdivision 10a, and soil productivity; 

(3) protect water quality; 

(4) prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs; 

(5) reduce damages caused by floods; 

(6) preserve wildlife; 

(7) protect the tax base; and 

(8) protect public lands and waters. 

103D.315 MANAGERS.Subd. 4.Seal. 
The managers must adopt a seal for the watershed district. 

103D.405 REVISED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN.Subd. 2.Required ten-year revision. 
(a) After ten years and six months from the date that the board approved a watershed management plan or the last revised watershed management plan, the managers must consider the requirements under subdivision 1 and adopt a revised watershed management plan outline and send a copy of the outline to the board. 

(b) By 60 days after receiving a revised watershed management plan outline, the board must review it, adopt recommendations regarding the revised watershed management plan outline, and send the recommendations to the managers. 

(c) After receiving the board's recommendations regarding the revised watershed management plan outline, the managers must complete the revised watershed management plan. 

Subd. 3.Review. 
The managers must send a copy of the revised watershed management plan to the board, the county board and county auditor of each county affected by the watershed district, the director, the governing body of each municipality affected by the watershed district, soil and water conservation districts affected by the watershed district, and the Metropolitan Council, if the watershed district is within the metropolitan area. 

Subd. 4.Director's and Metropolitan Council's recommendations. 
The director and the Metropolitan Council, if applicable, must review and make recommendations on the revised watershed management plan. By 60 days after receiving the revised watershed management plan unless the time is extended by the board, the director and the council must send the recommendations on the revised watershed management plan to the board, and a copy of the recommendations to the managers, the county auditor of each county affected by the watershed district, the governing body of each municipality affected by the watershed district, and soil and water conservation districts affected by the watershed district. 

Subd. 5.Notice. 
(a) The board must give notice and hold a revised watershed management plan hearing on the proposed revised watershed management plan by 45 days after receiving the director's and Metropolitan Council's recommendation. 

(b) The board must give notice of the revised watershed management plan hearing by publication in a legal newspaper published in counties affected by the watershed district. The last publication must occur at least ten days before the revised watershed management plan hearing. 

(c) The board must give notice of the revised watershed management plan hearing by mail to the auditors of counties and to the chief executive officials of municipalities affected by the watershed district. 

(d) The notice must include: 

(1) a statement that a copy of the proposed revised watershed management plan has been filed with the board, the Metropolitan Council, where applicable, the auditors of counties affected by the proposed watershed district, the commissioner, the director, the governing body of each municipality affected by the watershed district, and the soil and water conservation districts affected by the watershed district; 

(2) a general description of the purpose of the watershed district; 

(3) a general description of the property included in the watershed district; 

(4) a general description of the proposed revised watershed management plan; 

(5) the date, time, and location of the hearing; and 

(6) a statement that all persons affected or interested in the watershed district may attend and give statements at the revised watershed management plan hearing. 

Subd. 6.Board order. 
After the revised watershed management plan hearing, the board must prescribe a revised watershed management plan for the watershed district. The board must send a copy of the order and approved revised watershed management plan to the managers, the county board of each county affected by the watershed district, the commissioner, the director, the Metropolitan Council, where applicable, and soil and water conservation districts affected by the watershed district. The revised watershed management plan approved by the board is the revised watershed management plan for the watershed district. 

103D.411 AMENDMENT OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN AND REVISED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN.
The managers may initiate an amendment of a watershed management plan or revised watershed management plan by submitting a petition with the proposed amendment to the board. The board must give notice and hold a hearing on the amendment in the same manner as for the watershed management plan. After the hearing, the board may, by order, approve or prescribe changes in the amendment. The amendment becomes part of the watershed management plan after approval by the board. The board must send the order and approved amendment to the entities that receive an approved watershed management plan under section 103D.401, subdivision 5. 

103D.601 PROJECT INITIATED BY MANAGERS.Subdivision 1.Requirements. 
(a) The managers may initiate a project by resolution of at least a majority of the managers if: 

(1) the project is financed by grants totaling at least 50 percent of the estimated project cost; and 

(2) the engineer's estimate of costs to parties affected by the watershed district, including assessments against benefited properties but excluding state, federal, or other grants, is not more than $750,000 for the project. 

(b) A resolution under this subdivision may not be used to establish a project that has drainage as its essential nature and purpose. 

Subd. 2.Preliminary resolution hearing notice. 
(a) The managers must set the time and location for a preliminary resolution hearing on the proposed resolution for the project. 

(b) The managers must give notice of the preliminary resolution hearing by publication in a legal newspaper published in the counties affected by the watershed district. The last publication must occur at least ten days before the preliminary resolution hearing. 

(c) The preliminary resolution hearing notice must contain: 

(1) the date, time, and place of hearing; 

(2) the substance of the proposed project resolution; 

(3) the means of financing the project; and 

(4) a statement that all persons who might be affected by the proposed project or who may be interested in the proposed project may appear and be heard. 

(d) Defects in the notice do not invalidate the proceedings. 

Subd. 3.Preliminary report and information. 
(a) The managers must have the watershed district engineer or another competent person prepare a preliminary report advising the managers whether the proposed project is feasible and estimating the cost of the project. An error or omission in the preliminary report does not invalidate the proceeding. 

(b) The managers may have other helpful information prepared that will aid in determining the desirability and feasibility of the project. 

Subd. 4.Unfavorable preliminary report. 
If the preliminary report is unfavorable, the managers must set a time and location for a hearing in the manner provided for the preliminary resolution. After the hearing, the project may be referred back to the watershed district engineer or another competent person for further study and report, or the managers may dismiss the proceeding. 

Subd. 5.Final resolution. 
If, after the hearing, the managers determine that the proposed project promotes the public interest and welfare and is practicable and in conformity with the watershed management plan of the watershed district, the managers must adopt a final resolution approving the project and identify the proceeding by name and number. 

Subd. 6.Further procedure. 
(a) When a final resolution is adopted, the proceeding must continue as provided for a project initiated by a petition. 

(b) After the managers file a statement listing the property benefited, damaged, or otherwise affected by a project with the auditors of counties affected by the project, the proceedings for the project must continue under section 103D.901. 

103D.605 PROJECT CONSTRUCTED WITH GOVERNMENT AID OR AS PART OF PLAN.Subdivision 1.Required procedure. 
The procedure in this section must be followed if: 

(1) a project is to be constructed within the watershed district under an agreement between the managers and the state or federal government and the cost of the project is to be paid for in whole or in part by the state or federal government, but the rights-of-way and the cost of the project are assumed by the watershed district; or 

(2) the managers are undertaking all or a portion of the basic water management project as identified in the watershed management plan. 

Subd. 2.Board and director reports. 
A copy of the project plan must be transmitted to the board and the director. The board and the director must review the project plan and prepare reports on the project. The reports must be transmitted to the managers. 

Subd. 3.Project hearing notice. 
(a) After receiving the board's and the director's reports, the managers must set a time and location for a hearing on the proposed project. 

(b) The project hearing notice must state: 

(1) the time and location of the project hearing; 

(2) the general nature of the proposed project; 

(3) the estimated cost of the proposed project; and 

(4) the method by which the cost of the proposed project is to be paid, including the cost to be allocated to each affected municipality or the state government. 

(c) The managers must give notice by publication before the date of the hearing in a legal newspaper, published in the counties where property is to be improved by the proposed project. The last publication must occur between 30 days and ten days before the project hearing. 

(d) At least ten days before the project hearing, notice by mail must be given to the director and the municipalities entirely or partly within the project area. 

(e) Failure to give mailed notice or defects in the notice do not invalidate the proceedings. 

Subd. 4.Project hearing. 
At the project hearing, the managers must hear all parties interested in the proposed project. 

Subd. 5.Establishment order. 
After the project hearing, if the managers find that the project will be conducive to public health, will promote the general welfare, and complies with the watershed management plan and the provisions of this chapter, the managers must, by order, establish the project. The establishment order must include the findings of the managers. 

103D.611 CONSTRUCTION BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.Subdivision 1.Project plan to director and board. 
If a project is to be constructed within the watershed district under a contract between the watershed district and the state or the federal government, and the cost of construction or implementation is to be paid by the governmental agency but the rights-of-way, legal, and general expenses of the improvement are to be paid by the watershed district, the managers shall forward a copy of the project plan to the board and the director. The director shall prepare a director's advisory report and the board shall prepare a board's advisory report. 

Subd. 2.Hearing notice. 
(a) The managers shall hold a public hearing on the proposed contract following publication of the hearing notice. 

(b) The hearing notice must be published once each week for two successive weeks before the date of the hearing in a legal newspaper published in the counties where a part or all of the affected waters and lands are located. The last publication must occur at least ten days before the hearing. The notice must state the time and place of hearing, the general nature of the proposed improvement, its estimated cost, and the area proposed to be assessed. 

(c) At least ten days before the hearing, notice must be mailed to each resident owner, as shown on the county auditor's most recent records maintained for taxation purposes, within the area proposed to be assessed, and to the director, and to each public body within the area to be assessed and likely to be affected. Failure to give mailed notice or defects in the notice do not invalidate the proceedings. 

Subd. 3.Hearing. 
At the time and place specified in the notice, the managers shall hear all interested parties for and against the proposed project. All questions relative to the project must be determined on evidence presented at the hearing. If the managers find that the project will be conducive to public health and will promote the general welfare, and that it complies with this chapter, the managers shall make findings accordingly, authorize the project, and make the proposed contract or other arrangement. 

Subd. 4.Appraisal. 
(a) After authorizing the project, the managers shall appoint three disinterested resident owners of the state to act as appraisers. 

(b) After the appraisers sign an oath to faithfully and impartially perform their duties, they shall, with or without the engineer, determine the benefits and damages to property affected by the proposed project. The appraisers shall make a detailed statement and file the statement with the managers showing: 

(1) the actual damages that have resulted or will result to individuals, property, or corporations from the construction or implementation of the project; and 

(2) a list of property, including highways and corporations, receiving actual benefits by way of drainage, control of floodwaters, or other means authorized in this chapter. 

Subd. 5.Hearing on appraisers' report. 
(a) After the appraisers' report and the plans and engineering data prepared by the governmental agency are filed with the managers, the managers shall prepare a detailed statement of all costs, including damages, to be incurred by the watershed district in construction or implementation of the project. 

(b) The managers shall order a time and place within the watershed district for a hearing on the appraisers' report by 35 days after the detailed statement of costs is prepared. The managers shall give notice by publication and mailing as provided in subdivision 1 for a hearing on a petition. At the time and place specified in the notice, the managers shall hear all parties interested for and against confirming the appraisers' report. 

(c) The managers may order and direct the modification of the assessment of benefits and damages, and amend or change the list of properties reported as benefited or damaged. If the amended reports include property not included in the original report, the managers shall adjourn and publish and mail in the manner for the original notice, the proper notice concerning the property not included in the previous notice. 

(d) If upon full hearing the managers find that the benefits resulting from the construction or implementation will be greater than the assessments including damages they shall confirm the appraisers' report. 

(e) Persons or political subdivisions affected by the order may appeal the order under this chapter. 

Subd. 6.Assessments and levies. 
Proceedings for assessments and levies may be brought under section 103D.901 after the managers file a statement with the auditor of a county that lists the property and corporations benefited or damaged or otherwise affected by a project as found by the appraisers and approved by the managers. 

Subd. 7.Exempt from normal project initiation. 
Section 103D.701 relating to project initiation does not apply to projects of the watershed district constructed under contract as provided in this section. 

Subd. 8.Acquiring property. 
(a) If the watershed district is required to acquire an interest in real property under this section or convey an interest in real property to the federal government, the managers shall, before the filing of the appraisers' report, record a notice of the pendency of a proceeding initiated by the managers to acquire the lands to be conveyed to the federal government. The notice of pendency must be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the affected county. The notice must state the purpose for which the lands are to be taken. 

(b) By 20 days before the hearing on the appraisers' report, in addition to the notice required by subdivision 2, the notice of the hearing must be served on the owners of the property to be acquired, in the same manner as the summons in a civil action. The notice must: 

(1) describe the property; 

(2) state by whom and for what purpose the property is to be taken; 

(3) give the names of all persons appearing of record or known to the managers to be the owners; 

(4) state that appraisers have been appointed as provided by subdivision 4, to determine the benefits and damages; and 

(5) state that a hearing will be held by the managers on the appraisers' report at the time and place specified in the notice. 

(c) After the managers have confirmed the appraisers' report listing the property to be benefited or damaged as provided in subdivision 5, the managers have all rights of possession and entry conferred in other cases of condemnation by chapter 117. 

(d) After confirmation of the appraisers' report, the attorney for the managers shall make a certificate describing the property taken and the purpose for the taking, and reciting the fact of payment of all awards determined by the appraisers appointed by the managers or judgments in relation to the land. When approved by the managers, the certificate establishes the right of the watershed district in the property taken. The certificate must be filed for record with the county recorder of the county where the property is located. The filing constitutes notice to all parties of the title of the watershed district to the property described in the certificate. 

(e) After the certificate is filed, the managers may convey the property and interests in the property acquired to the federal government, if necessary. 

103F.511 DEFINITIONS.Subd. 8b.Reinvest in Minnesota reserve program. 
"Reinvest in Minnesota reserve program" means the program established under section 103F.515. 

103F.950 BEAVER DAMAGE CONTROL GRANTS.Subdivision 1.Establishment. 
The Board of Water and Soil Resources shall establish a beaver damage control grant program to provide grants for the control of beaver activities causing damage to public waters, roads, and ditches and adjacent private property. The grants may be made to: 

(1) a joint powers board established under section 471.59 by two or more governmental units; 

(2) soil and water conservation districts; and 

(3) Indian tribal governments. 

Subd. 2.Grant amount. 
The board may provide up to 50 percent of the costs of implementing a beaver damage control program by a joint powers board. 

Subd. 3.Awarding grants. 
Applications for grants must be made to the board on forms prescribed by the board. The board shall consult with town supervisors and county commissioners representing different areas of the state in developing the application form. A joint powers board seeking a grant may be required to supply information on the beaver control program it has adopted, the extent of the problem in the geographic area covered by the joint powers agreement, and the ability of the joint powers board to match the state grant. The board may prioritize the grant applications based upon the information requested as part of the grant application. 

Subd. 4.Report. 
(a) Within one year after receiving a grant under this section, a joint powers board must report to the Board of Water and Soil Resources on the joint powers board's efforts to control beaver in the area. 

(b) By December 15 of each even-numbered year, the board shall report to the senate and house of representatives environment and natural resources policy and finance committees on the efforts under this section to control beaver. 

115A.5501 REDUCING PACKAGING IN WASTE.Subdivision 1.Statewide reduction goal. 
It is the goal of the state that there be a minimum 25 percent statewide per capita reduction in the amount of discarded packaging delivered to facilities by December 31, 1995, based on a reasonable estimate of the amount of packaging that was delivered to facilities in calendar year 1992. 

Subd. 2.Measurement; procedures. 
(a) To measure the overall percentage of packaging in the statewide solid waste stream, the commissioner shall conduct annual solid waste composition studies in the nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas or shall develop an alternative method that is as statistically reliable as a waste composition study to measure the percentage of packaging in the waste stream. 

(b) The commissioner shall average the nonmetropolitan and metropolitan results and submit the statewide percentage, along with a statistically reliable margin of error, to the senate and house of representatives committees having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources and environment and natural resources finance by July 1 of each year. The 1994 report must include a discussion of the reliability of data gathered under this subdivision and the methodology used to determine a statistically reliable margin of error. 

Subd. 3.Access; waste composition studies. 
The owner or operator of a facility shall allow access upon reasonable notice to authorized agency staff for the purpose of conducting waste composition studies or otherwise assessing the amount of total packaging in the waste delivered to the facility under this section. 

Subd. 4.Report. 
The commissioner shall apply the statewide percentage determined under subdivision 2 to the aggregate amount of solid waste determined under subdivision 3 to determine the amount of packaging in the waste stream. By July 1, 1996, the commissioner shall submit to the Legislative Commission on Waste Management an analysis of the extent to which the waste packaging reduction goal in subdivision 1 has been met. In determining whether the goal has been met, the margin of error must be applied in favor of meeting the goal. The commissioner shall use the statistical mean for the data collected in determining whether the goal has been met and shall include in the analysis a discussion of the margin of error and statistical reliability for the data collected. 

Subd. 5.Recommendations for further reduction goals. 
If the goal in subdivision 1 is met, the commissioner shall include in the report required in subdivision 4 recommendations for appropriate goals for further reducing the amount of discarded packaging delivered to facilities. The report must include an analysis of the costs of further reductions. 

Subd. 6.Definition. 
For the purposes of this section, "facility" means a composting, incineration, refuse-derived fuel, or disposal facility that accepts mixed municipal solid waste or construction waste. 

8400.3000AUTHORITY. 
Minnesota Statutes, sections 84.95, 103A.209, and 103F.501 to 103F.531, authorize the state board, in consultation with districts, private groups, and state and federal agencies, to implement a program to acquire easements on land to retire certain marginal agricultural land and protect environmentally sensitive areas to enhance soil and water quality, minimize damage to flood-prone areas, sequester carbon, and support native plant, fish, and wildlife habitats and to reestablish perennial cover and restore wetlands on that land. Parts 8400.3000 to 8400.3930 provide procedures and criteria to be followed by the state board and district boards in implementing Minnesota Statutes, sections 103F.501 to 103F.531. The state board shall implement the reinvest in Minnesota reserve program with district boards when practical, but may also implement the program directly. 

8400.3030DEFINITIONS. Subpart 1.Scope.  
The definitions in this part apply to parts 8400.3000 to 8400.3930. 

Subp. 2.Agricultural crop production.  
"Agricultural crop production" means an agricultural activity: 

A.
 including but not limited to tillage, planting, or harvesting operations; and 

B.
 devoted to the production of horticultural, row, close grown, introduced pasture, or introduced hayland crops. 

Subp. 3.
[Repealed, 14 SR 1928] 

Subp. 3a.Agricultural land.  
"Agricultural land" means land devoted for use as pasture or hayland for domestic livestock or dairy animals, or to agricultural crop production, or to growing nursery stocks, or for use as animal feedlots, and may include contiguous land associated with these uses. 

Subp. 4.Annual plan.  
"Annual plan" means a plan prepared by the district under Minnesota Statutes, section 103C.331, subdivision 11, and according to the most recent version of the Guidelines for Soil and Water Conservation District Comprehensive and Annual Plans published by the state board. That publication is subject to periodic change. The current version is available at the district office and state board office and is incorporated by reference. 

Subp. 5.Approved practice.  
"Approved practice" means a soil and water conservation practice or wildlife habitat enhancement that may be established on an easement area and is described in the easement program practice specifications. 

Subp. 6.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 6a.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 7.
[Repealed, 14 SR 1928] 

Subp. 8.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 9.Conservation agreement.  
"Conservation agreement" means a written contract stating the terms and conditions for conveying a conservation easement by the landowner to the state. 

Subp. 10.Conservation easement.  
"Conservation easement" has the meaning given for "conservation easement" in Minnesota Statutes, section 84C.01, paragraph (1). 

Subp. 10a.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 10b.Conservation easement program.  
"Conservation easement program" refers to both the RIM reserve program, as defined in subpart 42, and the permanent wetlands preserve program, as defined in subpart 36a. 

Subp. 11.Conservation plan.  
"Conservation plan" means a written description and map of the approved practices that must be applied to or that already exist on the easement area. 

Subp. 11a.Cost-shared practice.  
"Cost-shared practice" means an approved practice which qualifies for cost-sharing through a conservation easement program administered by the state board. 

Subp. 12.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 13.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 14.District.  
"District" means a soil and water conservation district organized under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103C. 

Subp. 15.District board.  
"District board" means the board of supervisors of a soil and water conservation district organized under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103C. 

Subp. 16.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 17.District technical representative.  
"District technical representative" means a district employee or other designee assigned by the district who has expertise in the design and application of approved practices. 

Subp. 17a.Drained wetland.  
"Drained wetland" means a former natural wetland that has been altered by draining, dredging, filling, leveling, or other manipulation sufficient to reduce its natural function. 

Subp. 17b.Easement program practice specifications.  
"Easement program practice specifications" means the detailed descriptions of the approved practices that are allowed on lands enrolled in the conservation easement programs.  

Subp. 18.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 19.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 20.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 20a.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 20b.Farmed wetland.  
"Farmed wetland" means a wetland, as defined in subpart 48, that has been devoted to agricultural crop production, as defined in subpart 2, since December 23, 1985. 

Subp. 21.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 22.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 23.Food plot.  
"Food plot" means an area established for the purpose of providing food for wildlife. 

Subp. 24.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 25.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 26.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 27.Individual.  
Individual" means a person or legal entity, whether or not a resident of Minnesota. 

Subp. 28.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 29.Introduced hayland.  
"Introduced hayland" means an area devoted to the production of forage that has been cultivated in a rotation of row crops or small grains or interseeded with introduced or native species at least twice during the ten years prior to applying for enrollment in a conservation easement program. These areas must have been harvested by mechanical methods at least two years during the five years prior to applying for enrollment in a conservation easement program. 

Subp. 30.Introduced pasture.  
"Introduced pasture" means an area devoted to the production of forage that has been cultivated in a rotation of row crops or small grains or interseeded with introduced or native species at least twice during the ten years prior to applying for enrollment in a conservation easement program. These areas must have been harvested by grazing at least two years during the five years prior to applying for enrollment in a conservation easement program. 

Subp. 31.Landowner.  
"Landowner" means an individual or entity that is not prohibited from owning agricultural land under Minnesota Statutes, section 500.24, and who either owns eligible land or is purchasing eligible land under a contract for deed in Minnesota. 

Subp. 31a.Land with crop history.  
"Land with crop history" means land that has produced horticultural, row, or close grown crops or that has been enrolled at a cropland rate in a federal or state conservation program at least two of the five years prior to applying for enrollment in a conservation easement program, or land that meets the definition of introduced hayland in subpart 29, or land that meets the definition of introduced pasture in subpart 30. For the purposes of parts 8400.3000 to 8400.3930, land with crop history includes acres devoted to "set aside" or "conserving use" for the United States Department of Agriculture programs. 

Subp. 32.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 33.Marginal agricultural land.  
"Marginal agricultural land" means land that is:  

A. 
 composed of class IIIe, IVe, V, VI, VII, or VIII land as identified in the land capability classification system of the United States Department of Agriculture; or  

B. 
 similar to land described under item A and identified under a land classification system selected by the board. 

Subp. 33a.Pasture.  
"Pasture" means land used for grazing by domestic livestock and land which is not considered land with crop history as defined in subpart 31a. 

Subp. 33b.Pastured hillside.  
"Pastured hillside" means land on a hillside that is used for pasture as defined in subpart 33a or used for introduced pasture as defined in subpart 30. 

Subp. 34.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 35.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 36.Perennial cover.  
"Perennial cover" means the water area created by restoring a drained wetland or the perennial vegetation established under a conservation easement program, or the perennial vegetation or the water or wetland areas that already exist on the easement area. 

Subp. 36a.Permanent wetlands preserve program.  
"Permanent wetlands preserve program" means the program established under Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.516. 

Subp. 37.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 38.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 39.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 39a.Public waters.  
"Public waters" means waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15, and inventoried under Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.201. A copy of the inventory is available in the district office. 

Subp. 39b.Public waters wetlands.  
"Public waters wetlands" means wetlands as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15a. 

Subp. 39c.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 40.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 41.
[Repealed, 19 SR 550] 

Subp. 42.RIM reserve program.  
"RIM reserve program" means the program established in Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515. 

Subp. 42a.Riparian land.  
"Riparian land" means land adjacent to public waters, drainage systems, wetlands, or locally designated priority waters. 

Subp. 43.Screening committee.  
"Screening committee" means a group established by the district board to assist in implementing the conservation easement programs. The screening committee is chaired by a district board member and is composed of representatives of private, state, and local organizations or clubs, and local, state, and federal agencies with an interest in the conservation easement programs. 

Subp. 43a.Sensitive groundwater area.  
"Sensitive groundwater area" means a geographic area defined by natural features where there is a significant risk of groundwater degradation from activities conducted at or near the land surface. These areas may be identified by mapping or other appropriate methods determined by the commissioner of natural resources and the state board. Wellhead protection areas and land that is adjacent and draining to a sinkhole may be designated as a sensitive groundwater area. 

Subp. 44.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 45.Soil and water conservation practice.  
"Soil and water conservation practice" means structural or vegetative practices applied to land for the purposes of controlling soil erosion, sediment, agricultural nutrients or waste, or other water pollutants. 

Subp. 46.
[Repealed, 37 SR 1277] 

Subp. 47.
[Repealed, 14 SR 1928] 

Subp. 47a.State board.  
"State board" means the Board of Water and Soil Resources. 

Subp. 48.Wetland.  
"Wetland" means wetlands as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 19. 

8400.3110DURATION OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. 
For purposes of the RIM reserve program, a conservation easement may be permanent or of limited duration. A conservation easement acquired on restorable drained wetlands, replacement wetlands, or land for highway windbreak purposes, must be of permanent duration. A conservation easement of limited duration may be acquired on other eligible land within a district if it is for a period not less than 20 years and only if the state board has approved enrollment of limited duration conservation easements in that district. 

All permanent wetlands preserve program conservation easements must be of permanent duration. 

8400.3210DELEGATION OF PROGRAM TO ANOTHER DISTRICT. 
A district board may enter into an agreement with other district boards as authorized by Minnesota Statutes, section 103C.231, to delegate to another district board the responsibility for administering any conservation easement program of the state board. Where such delegation has been mutually agreed upon, each district board must so notify all landowners in their respective district and each district must so notify the state board. 

8400.3260LAND IN MORE THAN ONE DISTRICT. 
If an application involves land in more than one district, the participating districts may jointly delegate to one of the districts the responsibility for review and prioritization of that application. If that application is accepted for enrollment, the affected districts may also jointly delegate to one of the districts the responsibility for completing all of the tasks necessary for conveyance of the conservation easement to the state board. 

8400.3300CRITERIA FOR SCREENING COMMITTEE REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS. 
The state board may direct districts to utilize a local screening process or committee to prioritize local project areas or applications. The criteria for screening committee prioritization are as follows: 

A.
 consistency with the purpose and policy of the respective conservation easement program; 

B.
 the parcel's potential impact on reducing soil erosion and sedimentation, improving water quality, reducing flooding, and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat; 

C.
 compatibility with established priorities of the organizations and agencies participating in the screening process; and 

D.
 highest priority must be given to permanent easements pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, subdivision 2, paragraph (e). 

8400.3400CONSERVATION AGREEMENT FOR EASEMENT. 
The district board shall direct its staff or the district technical representative to develop conservation agreements as prescribed by the state board and in a recordable form for all approved applications which incorporate the minimum requirements stated in Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, subdivisions 4 and 5. In addition, each conservation agreement must require the landowner to: 

A.
 pay, when due, all taxes and assessments that may be levied against the easement area; 

B.
 remove any existing structures as required by the district board or the state board prior to the conveyance of the conservation easement with all associated costs being the responsibility of the landowner, and not place, erect, or construct any temporary or permanent structures on the easement area; 

C.
 remove any existing hazardous and toxic substances or any pollutants and contaminants prior to the conveyance of the conservation easement with all associated costs being the responsibility of the landowner, and not place such substances, pollutants, or contaminants on the easement area; 

D.
 properly seal all abandoned wells on the easement area prior to the conveyance of the conservation easement, with all associated costs being the responsibility of the landowner; and 

E.
 allow the state board and its employees and agents to enter the easement area for the purposes of inspection and enforcement of the terms and conditions of the conservation easement. 

8400.3460TITLE REQUIREMENTS. 
The landowner must have good and marketable title that is insurable under a title insurance policy. In addition, the title must not be subject to any prior liens or encumbrances determined to be objectionable by the Attorney General. Objectionable title defects, liens, or encumbrances must be promptly removed or corrected by the landowner prior to easement conveyance. 

8400.3600RENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. A.
 When a conservation easement of limited duration expires, a new conservation agreement and conservation easement for an additional period of not less than 20 years may be acquired by agreement of the state board and the landowner under the rules in force at that time. The state board may adjust payment rates as a result of renewing a conservation agreement and conservation easement after examining the condition of the established cover, conservation practices, and land values. 

B.
 The easement duration may be lengthened through mutual agreement of the current landowner with the state board, in consultation with the commissioners of agriculture and natural resources, if the state board determines that the changes are consistent with the purpose of the conservation easement program. When converting limited duration easements to permanent easements, the payment is the difference between the amount that would be paid per acre for the permanent easement as established for the most recent sign-up period and the amount already paid for the limited duration easement on the area. 

8400.3610ALTERATION, RELEASE, OR TERMINATION OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. 
The state board may alter, release, or terminate a conservation easement after consultation with the commissioners of agriculture and natural resources. The board may alter, release, or terminate an easement only if the state board determines that the public interests and general welfare are better served by the alteration, release, or termination. 

The state board must be provided the following information at least 30 days prior to a state board meeting, before the state board will consider a request to alter, release, or terminate a conservation easement: 

A.
 a copy of the letter from the landowner to the district board justifying the change and identifying how the public interest and general welfare will be better served; 

B.
 a letter from the district board recommending either approval or disapproval of the proposed change; 

C.
 a letter from the Department of Natural Resources recommending either approval or disapproval of the proposed change; and 

D.
 other supporting documents, including: 

(1)
 an aerial photo identifying the requested change; 

(2)
 a soil survey map of the area; 

(3)
 cropping history information; and 

(4)
 other pertinent documentation that will support the request. 

The state board reserves the right to require special provisions to ensure at least equal resource value as a condition of approving the request. The state board must be compensated by the landowner for all damages and loss of benefits to the conservation easement and the state board may also require reimbursement for administrative expenses and costs incurred in the alteration, release, or termination of a conservation easement. 

8400.3630APPROVED PRACTICES. Subpart 1.Criteria.  
Approved practices must have as their primary purpose the control of soil erosion or sedimentation, protection or improvement of water quality, reduction of flooding, or enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat. Approved practices may be further specified in the easement program policies or practice specifications. Practices that do not qualify as approved practices include, but are not limited to, Christmas tree plantations and fruit orchards. Food plots are not eligible for conservation easement program cost-sharing, but are considered an approved practice and, therefore, are allowed on enrolled acres as specified in the easement conservation plan. 

Subp. 2.Establishment of approved practices.  
A landowner is responsible for the establishment of all approved practices on the easement area in accordance with the easement program practice specifications. Establishment of approved practices must be monitored by the district board or its delegate to ensure compliance with the conservation plan and the conservation easement. Upon establishment or partial completion of an approved practice, a district technical representative shall certify whether or not the approved practice, in whole or part, has been satisfactorily performed. 

8400.3700COST-SHARED PRACTICES. Subpart 1.Approved practices eligible for cost-sharing.  
The state board shall determine which approved practices are eligible for conservation easement program cost-sharing, consistent with the criteria as described in part 8400.3630, subpart 1. 

Subp. 2.Eligible costs for cost-shared practices. A.
 Upon satisfactory performance under part 8400.3630, subpart 2, the landowner shall present receipts or invoices to the district board, or its delegate, of the costs incurred in the installation of the cost-shared practice. The district board shall review the receipts or invoices to determine the costs eligible for conservation easement program payment. If the district board determines that the costs requested for reimbursement are reasonable and necessary, it shall recommend payment to the landowner by submitting certification of satisfactory performance and providing documentation of reimbursable practice costs to the state board on forms provided by the state board. If the district board determines that certain costs requested for reimbursement are not eligible or reasonable, it shall notify the landowner in writing of this determination. The landowner may request reconsideration of this determination by the district board within 30 days of receipt of the determination. If additional costs are determined to be eligible and reasonable, the district board shall then recommend payment for the approved amount. The state board reserves the right to approve whether costs requested for reimbursement are eligible and reasonable. 

B.
 Eligible costs for approved practices are limited to those prescribed by the state board as allowed in Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.515, subdivision 6. 

C.
 The state board reserves the right to approve and provide funding for cost-shared practices. 

Subp. 3.Payment for in-kind services.  
In-kind services provided by the landowner including, but not limited to, earthwork, seedbed preparation, and seeding, may be credited to the landowner's share of the total cost of establishing the cost-shared practice. The district board shall credit only those costs it determines to be practical and reasonable and may approve receipts or invoices directly or through its delegate. 

Subp. 4.Funds from other sources.  
Conservation easement program cost-sharing funds may be augmented by funds from other agencies, organizations, or individuals.  

8400.3730FAILURE OF APPROVED PRACTICES. Subpart 1.Cost-shared practices.  
A landowner is not in violation of the conservation easement if the failure, in whole or part, of a cost-shared practice was caused by reasons beyond the landowner's control such as extreme weather conditions. In these instances, the district board may recommend to the state board that conservation easement program cost-sharing funds be encumbered for reestablishment of the cost-shared practice. The encumbrance must comply with the limits prescribed by the state board. In no case may a district board authorize conservation easement program financial assistance to a landowner for the reestablishment of cost-shared practices that were removed or altered by the landowner, or that have failed due to improper maintenance during the term of the conservation easement. 

Subp. 2.All other approved practices.  
A landowner is not in violation of the conservation easement if the failure of approved practices was caused by reasons beyond the landowner's control. 

8400.3800OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE. 
A landowner is responsible for the operation and maintenance of approved practices designated in the conservation plan. 

8400.3830VIOLATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT. Subpart 1.District board action.  
The district board may take such measures as are necessary to ensure landowner compliance with the conservation agreement, conservation easement, and conservation plan. If the district board is unsuccessful at obtaining landowner compliance, the district board shall notify the state board of the violation and may recommend appropriate measures to be taken to correct violations. 

Subp. 2.State board action.  
Upon notification or discovery of a violation of a conservation agreement, conservation easement, or conservation plan, the state board shall take action to resolve the violation. 

A landowner who violates the terms of a conservation agreement, conservation easement, or conservation plan under this chapter, or induces, assists, or allows another to do so, is liable to the state for treble damages if the violation is willful or double damages if the violation is not willful. The amount of damages is the amount needed to make the state whole or the amount the landowner has gained due to the violation, whichever is greater. 

If the state board is not successful in resolving the violation, it may request the state attorney general to commence legal action to enforce the conservation agreement, conservation easement, or conservation plan. 

Subp. 3.Attorney general action.  
Upon request by the state board, the attorney general may commence an action for specific performances, injunctive relief, damages, including attorney fees, and any other appropriate relief to enforce Minnesota Statutes, sections 103F.501 to 103F.531 in district court in the county where all or part of the violation is alleged to have been committed, or where the landowner resides or has a principal place of business. 

Conservation easements remain in effect even if maintenance violations have occurred. 

8400.3930RECONSIDERATION AND APPEAL. Subpart 1.Reconsideration by district board.  
An affected landowner may request the district board to reconsider its: 

A.
 recommendation or determination regarding that landowner's application for enrollment in a conservation easement program; 

B.
 recommendation or determination to cancel that landowner's conservation agreement; 

C.
 determination regarding that landowner's eligible and allowable costs to be reimbursed by the state board; 

D.
 request to that landowner to correct any alleged noncompliant conditions regarding that landowner's enrolled easement area; or 

E.
 recommendation to disapprove that landowner's request to change an enrolled easement area. 

Subp. 2.Time for reconsideration by district board.  
A landowner requesting reconsideration under subpart 1 shall mail a written request to the district board within 15 days of receipt of notice of the district board's determination or recommendation of the matters specified in subpart 1. The request for reconsideration shall include the specific reasons for the request and evidence to support the landowner's claims. The district board shall notify the landowner in writing of its final recommendation and the reasons for the recommendation within 60 days of receipt of the landowner's request for reconsideration. 

Subp. 3.Appeal to state board.  
An affected landowner may appeal to the state board from a final recommendation made by the district board pursuant to subpart 2. The landowner shall mail a written appeal to the state board within 15 days after receipt of the district board's final recommendation. The appeal shall include the specific reasons for the request and evidence to support the landowner's claims. The state board shall notify in writing the landowner and the district board of its final decision and the reasons for the decision within 60 days of receipt of the landowner's appeal. 

Subp. 4.
[Repealed, 14 SR 1928]