HF 4254

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/16/2020 11:18am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; requiring recommendations for watercraft operators
safety program; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFETY PROGRAM FOR WATERCRAFT
OPERATORS; APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of natural resources, in consultation with interested parties, must
develop recommendations for establishing a safety program for watercraft operators. The
program must include:
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new text begin (1) requirements that a person complete and pass a watercraft safety course designed by
the commissioner in order to operate certain motorized watercraft over 16 feet;
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new text begin (2) a watercraft safety course that covers the following topics:
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new text begin (i) watercraft safety;
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new text begin (ii) best practices to reduce conflicts with other water resource users;
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new text begin (iii) ecological impacts of watercraft; and
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new text begin (iv) aquatic invasive species prevention;
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new text begin (3) an endorsement that is required for a watercraft operator to operate a watercraft with
enhanced wake technology and that requires completing and passing an additional course.
The course must incorporate:
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new text begin (i) recommendations of the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center for
reducing the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species by watercraft with enhanced wake
technology and mitigating other negative impacts of the watercraft; and
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new text begin (ii) research of the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory on the dynamics of enhanced wakes
and the impacts to lake sediments and aquatic plants; and
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new text begin (4) an optional endorsement for a watercraft operator to become certified as an aquatic
invasive species self-inspector, allowing the watercraft operator to serve as an aquatic
invasive species ambassador at special events and boat ramps and bypass certain inspection
programs if the operator completes and passes an additional course similar to the aquatic
invasive species watercraft inspector training.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner must submit the recommendations required under this section to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate
committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources by
January 15, 2021.
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new text begin (c) $....... in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of natural resources to develop and submit the recommendations required under this section.
This is a onetime appropriation.
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