HF 3022

1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/24/2016 04:19pm

A bill for an act
relating to game and fish; modifying elk management plan requirements;
requiring annual reports; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 3.7371, by
adding a subdivision; 97B.516.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 3.7371, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must submit a report to the chairs of the house
of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over agriculture
and environment and natural resources by December 15 each year that details the total
amount of damages paid, by elk herd, in the previous two fiscal years.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.516, is amended to read:

97B.516 ELK MANAGEMENT PLAN.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner of natural resources must adopt an elk management plan that:

(1) recognizes the value and uniqueness of elk;

(2) provides for integrated management of an elk population in harmony with the
environment; and

(3) affords optimum recreational opportunities.

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner must not manage an elk herd
in a manner that would increase the size of the herd, including adoption or implementation
of an elk management plan designed to increase an elk herd, unless the commissioner of
agriculture verifies that crop and fence damages paid under section 3.7371 and attributed
to the herd have not increased for at least two years.
new text end

new text begin (c) At least 60 days prior to implementing a plan to increase an elk herd, the
commissioners of natural resources and agriculture must hold a joint public meeting in the
county where the elk herd to be increased is located. At the meeting, the commissioners
must present evidence that crop and fence damages have not increased in the prior two years
and must detail the practices that will be used to reduce elk conflicts with area landowners.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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