HF 3915

1st Engrossment - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; providing for a wild rice study.

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

Section 1. new text begin WILD RICE STUDY.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Study. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of agriculture, in cooperation with the
commissioner of natural resources, shall review the need for a study on strains of wild
rice that are indigenous to Minnesota, sacred to the Ojibwe people, and important both
historically and economically to this state. These specific strains are Zizania aquatica and
Zizania palustris. The proposed study would include:
new text end

new text begin (1) evidence of population decline in these strains in Minnesota lakes, rivers, and
streams and, if such a decline is found, an explanation of possible contributing factors;
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new text begin (2) arguments for and against the economic, agronomic, cultural, and historical
importance of maintaining the integrity of these strains;
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new text begin (3) evaluation of methods available for maintaining the integrity of these strains
in Minnesota lakes, rivers, and streams, including scientific, regulatory, and any other
reasonable methods the commissioners may identify; and
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new text begin (4) recommendations that address the findings in clauses (1) to (3).
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Deadlines. new text end

new text begin No later than November 15, 2007, the commissioners shall
report on the need for the study described in subdivision 1 to the chairs of the house and
senate committees with jurisdiction over agriculture, environment, and natural resource
policy and finance and representatives of the seven sovereign Ojibwe tribes of Minnesota.
No later than January 15, 2008, the commissioners shall report on the need for the study
to the house and senate committees with jurisdiction over agriculture, environment, and
natural resource policy and finance. In their report to the committees, the commissioners
must include the official, written response of the Ojibwe representatives and other
interested parties who received the initial report from the commissioners.
new text end