HF 4337

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/16/2026 03:09 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; modifying the authority of the commissioner of natural
resources to provide training to individuals to inspect watercraft for aquatic
macrophytes, aquatic invasive species, and water; amending Minnesota Statutes
2024, section 84D.105, subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 84D.105, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Inspector authority.

(a) The commissioner shall train and authorize individuals
to inspect water-related equipment for aquatic macrophytes, aquatic invasive species, and
water. new text begin The commissioner may not require an individual to attend more than one in-person
training under this subdivision and may require an individual to attend web-based or remote
training no more than once every three years. new text end The commissioner may enter into a delegation
agreement with a tribal or local government where inspection authority as provided under
paragraphs (b), (g), and (h) is delegated to tribal and local governments. The delegation
agreements may provide for the assumption of legal, financial, and administrative
responsibilities for inspection programs on some or all public waters within their jurisdiction.

(b) Inspectors may visually and tactilely inspect watercraft and water-related equipment
to determine whether aquatic invasive species, aquatic macrophytes, or water is present. If
a person transporting watercraft or water-related equipment refuses to take required corrective
actions or fails to comply with an order under section 84D.10, subdivision 3, an inspector
who is not a licensed peace officer shall refer the violation to a conservation officer or other
licensed peace officer.

(c) In addition to paragraph (b), a conservation officer or other licensed peace officer
may inspect any watercraft or water-related equipment that is stopped at a water-access site,
any other public location in the state, or a private location where the watercraft or
water-related equipment is in plain view, if the officer determines there is reason to believe
that aquatic invasive species, aquatic macrophytes, or water is present on the watercraft or
water-related equipment.

(d) Conservation officers or other licensed peace officers may utilize check stations in
locations, or in proximity to locations, where watercraft or other water-related equipment
is placed into or removed from waters of the state. Any check stations shall be operated in
a manner that minimizes delays to vehicles, equipment, and their occupants.

(e) Conservation officers or other licensed peace officers may order water-related
equipment to be removed from a water body if the commissioner determines such action is
needed to implement aquatic invasive species control measures.

(f) The commissioner may require mandatory inspections of water-related equipment
before a person places or removes water-related equipment into or out of a water body.
Inspection stations may be located at or near public water accesses or in locations that allow
for servicing individual or multiple water bodies. The commissioner shall ensure that
inspection stations:

(1) have adequate staffing to minimize delays to vehicles and their occupants;

(2) allow for reasonable travel times between public accesses and inspection stations if
inspection is required before placing water-related equipment into a water body;

(3) are located so as not to create traffic delays or public safety issues;

(4) have decontamination equipment available to bring water-related equipment into
compliance; and

(5) do not reduce the capacity or hours of operation of public water accesses.

(g) The commissioner may authorize tribal and local governments that enter into a
delegation agreement with the commissioner to conduct mandatory inspections of
water-related equipment at specified locations within a defined area before a person places
or removes water-related equipment into or out of a water body. Tribal and local governments
that are authorized to conduct inspections under this paragraph must:

(1) to the extent called for in the delegation agreement, assume legal, financial, and
administrative responsibilities for implementing the mandatory inspections, alone or in
agreement with other tribal or local governments;

(2) employ inspectors that have been trained and authorized by the commissioner;

(3) conduct inspections and decontamination measures in accordance with guidelines
approved by the commissioner;

(4) have decontamination equipment available at inspection stations or identify alternative
decontamination equipment locations within a reasonable distance of the inspection station
that can bring water-related equipment into compliance;

(5) provide for inspection station locations that do not create traffic delays or public
safety issues; and

(6) submit a plan approved by the commissioner according to paragraph (h).

(h) Plans required under paragraph (g) must address:

(1) no reduction in capacity or hours of operation of public accesses and fees that do not
discourage or limit use;

(2) reasonable travel times between public accesses and inspection stations;

(3) adequate staffing to minimize wait times and provide adequate hours of operation
at inspection stations and public accesses;

(4) adequate enforcement capacity;

(5) measures to address inspections of water-related equipment at public water accesses
for commercial entities and private riparian landowners; and

(6) other elements as required by the commissioner to ensure statewide consistency,
appropriate inspection and decontamination protocols, and protection of the state's resources,
public safety, and access to public waters.

(i) A government unit authorized to conduct inspections under this subdivision must
submit an annual report to the commissioner summarizing the results and issues related to
implementing the inspection program.

(j) The commissioner may waive the plan requirement in paragraph (g) for inspection
programs where authorized inspectors are placed directly at one or more water-access sites,
with no requirement for a person to travel from the water access for inspection or
decontamination, and no local ordinance or other regulation requiring a mandatory inspection
before placing watercraft or water-related equipment into a water body or after watercraft
or water-related equipment are removed from a water body.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end