HF 1457

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; providing for aquatic
invasive species management funding; creating an
account; requiring a watercraft decal; modifying
disposition of watercraft surcharge; appropriating
money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section
86B.415, subdivision 7; proposing coding for new law
in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 84D; 86B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [84D.025] AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES ACCOUNT.
new text end

new text begin (a) An aquatic invasive species account is created in the
natural resources fund. Decal fees under section 86B.402 and
the watercraft surcharge under section 86B.415, subdivision 7,
are credited to the account.
new text end

new text begin (b) The aquatic invasive species account is dedicated to
preventing the spread of invasive species of aquatic plants and
wild animals into uninfested waters, controlling and managing
aquatic invasive species, and reestablishing biological
integrity in Minnesota's lakes and rivers.
new text end

new text begin (c) A portion of the account must be used for a cost-share
grant program to local governments, lake associations, and
conservation organizations. Eligible prevention and management
activities for cost-share grants include, but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) developing prevention plans;
new text end

new text begin (2) aquatic invasive species surveys and monitoring;
new text end

new text begin (3) public education and training programs;
new text end

new text begin (4) conducting watercraft inspection programs or boat
washing at public and private accesses;
new text end

new text begin (5) management and control activities in lake vegetation
management plans or other specific aquatic invasive species
prevention or mitigation plans; and
new text end

new text begin (6) demonstration projects approved by the commissioner.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [86B.402] AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES DECAL.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Decal required; fee. new text end

new text begin A person may not
operate a motorized watercraft in public waters unless an
aquatic invasive species decal is affixed to the watercraft.
The commissioner shall issue an aquatic invasive species decal
upon application and payment of a $10 fee. The decal is valid
for one year following the year it is issued. Fees collected
under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and
credited to the aquatic invasive species account in the natural
resources fund under section 84D.025.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Placement of decal. new text end

new text begin The aquatic invasive
species decal must be permanently affixed to the forward half of
the watercraft directly above or below the registration decal.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Licensing agents. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall sell
aquatic invasive species decals through a similar process
established under section 84.8205.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 86B.415,
subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Watercraft surcharge.

new text begin (a) new text end A $5 surcharge is
placed on each watercraft licensed under subdivisions 1 to 5 for
new text begin management, new text end control, public awareness, law enforcement,
new text begin training, watercraft inspection, new text end monitoring, and research of
aquatic invasive species deleted text begin such as deleted text end new text begin , including, but not limited to,
new text end zebra mussel, deleted text begin purple loosestrife deleted text end new text begin curly leaf pondweed new text end , and
Eurasian water milfoil new text begin , new text end in public waters and public wetlands.

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding subdivision 9, the surcharge money must
be deposited in the state treasury, credited to the aquatic
invasive species account under section 84D.025, and used for the
purposes specified in that section.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the aquatic invasive species
account in the natural resources fund to the commissioner of
natural resources for aquatic invasive species control and
management. The appropriation is available for the biennium
ending June 30, 2007.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin (a) Sections 1 and 3 are effective the day following final
enactment.
new text end

new text begin (b) Section 2 is effective January 1, 2006.
new text end