HF 3643

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/11/2020 03:00pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; increasing certain penalties related to aquatic invasive
species; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 84D.13, subdivision 5.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 84D.13, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Civil penalties.

(a) A civil citation issued under this section must impose the
following penalty amounts:

(1) for transporting aquatic macrophytes in violation of section 84D.09, deleted text begin $100 deleted text end new text begin $250 new text end ;

(2) for placing or attempting to place into waters of the state water-related equipment
that has aquatic macrophytes attached, deleted text begin $200 deleted text end new text begin $250 new text end ;

(3) for unlawfully possessing or transporting a prohibited invasive species other than an
aquatic macrophyte, deleted text begin $500 deleted text end new text begin $1,000 new text end ;

(4) for placing or attempting to place into waters of the state water-related equipment
that has prohibited invasive species attached when the waters are not listed by the
commissioner as being infested with that invasive species, $500;

(5) for intentionally damaging, moving, removing, or sinking a buoy marking, as
prescribed by rule, Eurasian watermilfoil, $100;

(6) for failing to have drain plugs or similar devices removed or opened while transporting
water-related equipment or for failing to remove plugs, open valves, and drain water from
water-related equipment, other than marine sanitary systems, before leaving waters of the
state, deleted text begin $100 deleted text end new text begin $250 new text end ;

(7) for transporting infested water off riparian property without a permit as required by
rule, deleted text begin $200 deleted text end new text begin $250 new text end ;

(8) for failing to have aquatic invasive species affirmation displayed or available for
inspection as provided in sections 86B.401 and 97C.301, subdivision 2a, $25;

(9) for failing to comply with a decontamination order when a decontamination unit is
available on site, $250;

(10) for failing to complete decontamination of water-related equipment or to remove
invasive species from water-related equipment by the date specified on a tagging notice and
order, $250; and

(11) for failing to complete the aquatic invasive species offender training course required
under section 86B.13, $25.

(b) A civil citation that is issued to a person who has one or more prior convictions or
final orders for violations of this chapter is subject to twice the penalty amounts listed in
paragraph (a).