SF 1410

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/15/2013 09:46am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; clarifying responsibilities for state tree nurseries;
requiring a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 89.36,
subdivision 1; 89.37, subdivision 3; repealing Laws 2011, First Special Session
chapter 2, article 4, section 30.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 89.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Production at state nurseries.

The commissioner of natural
resources may produce tree planting stock for the purposes of sections 89.35 to 89.39 upon
any lands under control of the commissioner which may be deemed suitable and available
therefor so far as not inconsistent with other uses to which such lands may be dedicated by
law. new text begin The legislature recognizes the importance of the state nursery program in collecting,
tracking by seed source, processing, storing, and distributing planting stock for forest
tree improvement, forest management needs, and research to provide seed and plant
materials for Minnesota's diverse and changing forest conditions. new text end The commissioner may
not produce more than 10,000,000 units of planting stock annually, after January 1, 2003.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 89.37, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Private lands.

The commissioner may supply only bare root seedlings,
woody cuttings, and transplant material for use on private land, provided that deleted text begin such
deleted text end new text begin the new text end material must be sold deleted text begin in lots of not less than 500 deleted text end for a sum determined by the
commissioner to be equivalent to the cost of the materials and the expenses of their
distribution. The commissioner may not directly or indirectly supply any other planting
stock for use on private lands.

Sec. 3. new text begin REPORT; STATE TREE NURSERIES.
new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2014, the commissioner of natural resources shall report to the chairs
and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over natural resources with a plan to upgrade and improve
state tree nurseries. The plan shall include recommendations on allowing the nursery
program to obtain sufficient funds to make improvements in capability, including, but not
limited to, equipment, processes, staffing, and improving cost-effectiveness in the long
run. The plan shall address short-term and long-term capital improvements necessary for
the continued efficient operation of state tree nurseries.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 2, article 4, section 30, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end