1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to natural resources; modifying restriction 
  1.3             on operating off-highway vehicles in wetlands; 
  1.4             amending Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
  1.5             84.773. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
  1.8   84.773, is amended to read: 
  1.9      84.773 [RESTRICTIONS ON OPERATION.] 
  1.10     (a) A person may not intentionally operate an off-highway 
  1.11  vehicle: 
  1.12     (1) on a trail on public land that is designated for 
  1.13  nonmotorized use only; 
  1.14     (2) on restricted areas within public lands that are posted 
  1.15  or where gates or other clearly visible structures are placed to 
  1.16  prevent unauthorized motorized vehicle access; or 
  1.17     (3) except as specifically authorized by law or rule 
  1.18  adopted by the commissioner, in:  in type 3, 4, 5, and 8 
  1.19  wetlands located on public lands or on unfrozen public waters, 
  1.20  as defined in section 103G.005; in a state park; in a scientific 
  1.21  and natural area; or in a wildlife management area. 
  1.22     (b) A person licensed to hunt may operate an off-highway 
  1.23  vehicle in a type 3, 4, 5, or 8 wetland located on public lands 
  1.24  during the hunting season for which the person is licensed to 
  1.25  access a hunting location and to retrieve and transport game.  
  2.1   Operation under this paragraph is limited to the most direct 
  2.2   route available to access the hunting or retrieval location.