SF 2245

as introduced - 81st Legislature (1999 - 2000) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to water; providing for a task force to study 
  1.3             surface water management. 
  1.4   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.5      Section 1.  [SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT.] 
  1.6      (a) There is established a task force to study surface 
  1.7   water management.  The study must evaluate potential changes to 
  1.8   surface water law, including: 
  1.9      (1) safety and quality of life on beaches and shoreline 
  1.10  areas; 
  1.11     (2) the feasibility of an environmental/courtesy zone where 
  1.12  a reduced speed would be required when traveling parallel to the 
  1.13  shoreline; 
  1.14     (3) licensing for all operators and owners of motorized 
  1.15  watercraft over 25 horsepower; 
  1.16     (4) allocation of fees to ensure that enforcement is 
  1.17  adequately funded; and 
  1.18     (5) requirements for titling and licensing of nonmotorized 
  1.19  watercraft. 
  1.20     (b) The task force must make recommendations for 
  1.21  legislation to the house of representatives and senate policy 
  1.22  and finance committees with jurisdiction over natural resources 
  1.23  by January 1, 2000.  It expires January 15, 2000. 
  1.24     (c) The task force consists of 13 members appointed as 
  2.1   follows: 
  2.2      (1) the chairs of the house of representatives and senate 
  2.3   environment and natural resources policy committees shall each 
  2.4   appoint five citizen members representing stakeholders of water 
  2.5   surfaces, including, but not limited to, users, manufacturers, 
  2.6   and dealers; 
  2.7      (2) the commissioner of natural resources or the 
  2.8   commissioner's designee who shall convene the first meeting; and 
  2.9      (3) the governor shall appoint two members. 
  2.10  The chair shall be selected by the task force members.  
  2.11     (d) The commissioner of natural resources shall provide 
  2.12  necessary staff support and resources for the task force.  
  2.13  Citizen members of the task force serve without compensation but 
  2.14  may be reimbursed for expenses as provided in Minnesota 
  2.15  Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6.