SF 1238

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to game and fish; providing for trapper
education requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes
2004, section 97B.025; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97B.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.025, is
amended to read:

97B.025 HUNTER AND TRAPPER EDUCATION.

(a) The commissioner may establish education courses for
hunters deleted text begin and trappers deleted text end . The commissioner shall collect a fee from
each person attending a course. A fee shall be collected for
issuing a duplicate certificate. The commissioner shall
establish the fees in a manner that neither significantly
overrecovers nor underrecovers costs, including overhead costs,
involved in providing the services. The fees are not subject to
the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does
not apply. The commissioner may establish the fees
notwithstanding section 16A.1283. The fees shall be deposited
in the game and fish fund and the amount thereof is appropriated
annually to the Enforcement Division of the Department of
Natural Resources for the administration of the program. In
addition to the fee established by the commissioner for each
course, instructors may charge each person up to the established
fee amount for class materials and expenses. School districts
may cooperate with the commissioner and volunteer instructors to
provide space for the classroom portion of the training.

(b) The commissioner shall enter into an agreement with a
statewide nonprofit trappers association to conduct a trapper
education program. At a minimum, the program must include at
least six hours of classroom and in the field training. The
program must include a review of state trapping laws and
regulations, trapping ethics, the setting and tending of traps
and snares, tagging and registration requirements, and the
preparation of pelts. new text begin The association shall issue a certificate
to persons who complete the program. new text end The association shall be
responsible for all costs of conducting the education program,
and shall not charge any fee for attending the course.

Sec. 2.

new text begin [97B.026] TRAPPER EDUCATION CERTIFICATE
REQUIREMENT.
new text end

new text begin Beginning March 1, 2006, a person who has not been issued a
trapping license in a previous license year may not obtain a
trapping license unless the person has been issued a trapper
education certificate under section 97B.025, paragraph (b).
new text end