SF 254

1st Engrossment - 80th Legislature (1997 - 1998) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to game and fish; modifying certain fish 
  1.3             habitat and propagation provisions; authorizing the 
  1.4             commissioner to establish special hunts for youth; 
  1.5             permitting youth residents to hunt deer without a 
  1.6             license tag; authorizing rules to restrict airboats; 
  1.7             modifying provisions relating to taking minnows; 
  1.8             authorizing the commissioner to sell merchandise; 
  1.9             providing purposes for the game and fish fund; 
  1.10            modifying stamp provisions; modifying the procedure 
  1.11            for vacating or modifying a state game refuge; 
  1.12            defining terms; prohibiting airboats on certain lakes; 
  1.13            permitting persons 65 years of age or older to take 
  1.14            certain game with a crossbow; establishing shooting 
  1.15            hours for migratory game birds; modifying license 
  1.16            provisions; providing criminal penalties; 
  1.17            appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, 
  1.18            sections 17.4982, by adding subdivisions; 17.4983, by 
  1.19            adding a subdivision; 17.4998; 84.0855; 97A.015, 
  1.20            subdivisions 49, 53, and by adding a subdivision; 
  1.21            97A.045, subdivision 7; 97A.055, subdivision 1; 
  1.22            97A.075, subdivision 3; 97A.085, subdivision 8; 
  1.23            97A.101, by adding a subdivision; 97A.411, 
  1.24            subdivisions 1 and 3; 97A.421, subdivision 1; 97A.465, 
  1.25            subdivision 4; 97A.485, subdivision 9, and by adding a 
  1.26            subdivision; 97B.035, subdivision 1; 97B.075; 97B.106; 
  1.27            97B.301, subdivision 6; 97B.655, subdivision 1; 
  1.28            97B.805, subdivision 2; 97C.035, subdivision 1; 
  1.29            97C.211, subdivision 1, and by adding a subdivision; 
  1.30            97C.505, by adding a subdivision; and 168.1291, 
  1.31            subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in 
  1.32            Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97B; repealing Minnesota 
  1.33            Statutes 1996, section 97A.111. 
  1.34  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.35     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 17.4982, is 
  1.36  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  1.37     Subd. 18a.  [NONINDIGENOUS SPECIES.] "Nonindigenous species"
  1.38  means a species of fish or other aquatic life that is: 
  1.39     (1) not known to have been historically present in the 
  2.1   state; 
  2.2      (2) not known to be naturally occurring in a particular 
  2.3   part of the state; or 
  2.4      (3) designated by rule as a prohibited or restricted exotic 
  2.5   species. 
  2.6      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 17.4982, is 
  2.7   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  2.8      Subd. 18b.  [NONINDIGENOUS STRAIN.] "Nonindigenous strain" 
  2.9   means a species of fish or other aquatic life that: 
  2.10     (1) has an original source outside of this state and 
  2.11  contiguous states; 
  2.12     (2) is an unnaturally occurring hybrid or genetically 
  2.13  engineered species; or 
  2.14     (3) in areas north of marked state highway 210, is a 
  2.15  walleye, the original source of which is from south of marked 
  2.16  state highway 210 or from outside the state. 
  2.17     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 17.4982, is 
  2.18  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  2.19     Subd. 18c.  [PROCESSING.] "Processing" means rendering a 
  2.20  species of aquatic life for food, bait, or other purposes so 
  2.21  that it is no longer alive. 
  2.22     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 17.4983, is 
  2.23  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  2.24     Subd. 8.  [INTERFERENCE PROHIBITED.] A person may not 
  2.25  knowingly damage, disturb, or interfere with legal aquatic farm 
  2.26  operations. 
  2.27     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 17.4998, is 
  2.28  amended to read: 
  2.29     17.4998 [VIOLATIONS; PENALTY.] 
  2.30     Subdivision 1.  [MISDEMEANOR.] Unless a different penalty 
  2.31  is prescribed, a violation of a provision of sections 17.4981 to 
  2.32  17.4997 or a rule of the commissioner governing the operation of 
  2.33  an aquatic farm, private fish hatchery, or quarantine facility 
  2.34  is a misdemeanor. 
  2.35     Subd. 2.  [PETTY MISDEMEANOR.] A first and second 
  2.36  violation, within a three-year period, of sections 17.4981 to 
  3.1   17.4997 or a rule of the commissioner governing the operation of 
  3.2   an aquatic farm, private fish hatchery, or quarantine facility 
  3.3   is a petty misdemeanor if it does not involve intentionally 
  3.4   falsifying records and does not put public waters or other fish 
  3.5   hatchery facilities at risk from harmful nonindigenous species, 
  3.6   nonindigenous strains, or emergency fish diseases. 
  3.7      Subd. 3.  [LICENSE VOID.] The license of a person convicted 
  3.8   of a violation of sections 17.4981 to 17.4997 or a rule of the 
  3.9   commissioner governing the operation of an aquatic farm, private 
  3.10  fish hatchery, or quarantine facility is void for a period of 
  3.11  one year after the conviction if the person is convicted of two 
  3.12  or more misdemeanors within a three-year period.  If the 
  3.13  commissioner determines that the public welfare will not be 
  3.14  injured, the commissioner may reinstate a license voided under 
  3.15  this subdivision. 
  3.16     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 84.0855, is 
  3.17  amended to read: 
  3.18     84.0855 [SPECIAL SALES; RECEIPTS; APPROPRIATION.] 
  3.19     Subdivision 1.  [SALES AUTHORIZED; GIFT CERTIFICATES.] The 
  3.20  commissioner may sell natural resources-related publications and 
  3.21  maps; federal migratory waterfowl, junior duck, and other 
  3.22  federal stamps; and other nature-related merchandise, and may 
  3.23  rent or sell items for the convenience of persons using 
  3.24  department of natural resources facilities or services.  The 
  3.25  commissioner may sell gift certificates for any items rented or 
  3.26  sold.  Notwithstanding section 16A.1285, a fee charged by the 
  3.27  commissioner under this section may include a reasonable amount 
  3.28  in excess of the actual cost to support department of natural 
  3.29  resources programs.  The commissioner may advertise the 
  3.30  availability of a program or item offered under this section.  
  3.31     Subd. 2.  [RECEIPTS; APPROPRIATION.] Money received by the 
  3.32  commissioner of natural resources as fees for seminars or 
  3.33  workshops, from the sale of publications and maps, from the sale 
  3.34  of other natural resource related merchandise, under this 
  3.35  section or to buy supplies for the use of volunteers, may be 
  3.36  credited to one or more special accounts in the state treasury 
  4.1   and is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes for 
  4.2   which the money was received.  Money received from sales at the 
  4.3   state fair shall be available for state fair related costs.  
  4.4      Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.015, is 
  4.5   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  4.6      Subd. 37a.  [PROCESSING.] "Processing" means rendering a 
  4.7   species of aquatic life for food, bait, or other purposes so 
  4.8   that it is no longer alive. 
  4.9      Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.015, 
  4.10  subdivision 49, is amended to read: 
  4.11     Subd. 49.  [UNDRESSED BIRD.] "Undressed bird" means:  
  4.12     (1) a bird, excluding migratory waterfowl, pheasant, 
  4.13  Hungarian partridge, or grouse, with feet and feathered head 
  4.14  intact; 
  4.15     (2) a migratory waterfowl, excluding geese, with a fully 
  4.16  feathered wing and head attached; or 
  4.17     (3) a pheasant, Hungarian partridge, or grouse with one leg 
  4.18  and foot or the fully feathered head or wing intact; or 
  4.19     (4) a goose with a fully feathered wing attached. 
  4.20     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.015, 
  4.21  subdivision 53, is amended to read: 
  4.22     Subd. 53.  [UNPROTECTED WILD ANIMALS.] "Unprotected wild 
  4.23  animals" means wild animals that are not protected wild animals 
  4.24  including weasel, coyote (brush wolf), gopher, 
  4.25  porcupine, striped skunk, civet cat, and unprotected birds. 
  4.26     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.045, 
  4.27  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
  4.28     Subd. 7.  [DUTY TO ENCOURAGE STAMP DESIGN AND PURCHASES.] 
  4.29  (a) The commissioner shall encourage the purchase of: 
  4.30     (1) Minnesota migratory waterfowl stamps by nonhunters 
  4.31  interested in the migratory waterfowl preservation and habitat 
  4.32  development; 
  4.33     (2) pheasant stamps by persons interested in pheasant 
  4.34  habitat improvement; and 
  4.35     (3) trout and salmon stamps by persons interested in trout 
  4.36  and salmon stream and lake improvement; and 
  5.1      (4) turkey stamps by persons interested in wild turkey 
  5.2   management and habitat improvement.  
  5.3      (b) The commissioner shall make rules governing contests 
  5.4   for selecting a design for each stamp. 
  5.5      Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.055, 
  5.6   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  5.7      Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSES.] The game and 
  5.8   fish fund is established as a fund in the state treasury.  Money 
  5.9   in the fund may be used only for the purpose of administration, 
  5.10  licensing, enforcement, and programs that are authorized in: 
  5.11     (1) the game and fish laws under chapters 97A, 97B, and 
  5.12  97C; 
  5.13     (2) fish and wildlife planning laws under section 84.942; 
  5.14     (3) aquaculture laws under sections 17.4981 to 17.4998; 
  5.15     (4) wild rice management laws under section 84.0911; and 
  5.16     (5) aquatic nuisance control laws under section 103G.615. 
  5.17     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.075, 
  5.18  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  5.19     Subd. 3.  [TROUT AND SALMON STAMP.] (a) Ninety percent of 
  5.20  the revenue from trout and salmon stamps must be credited to the 
  5.21  trout and salmon management account.  Money in the account may 
  5.22  be used only for: 
  5.23     (1) the development, restoration, maintenance, and 
  5.24  preservation of trout streams and lakes; and 
  5.25     (2) rearing and stocking of trout and salmon and stocking 
  5.26  of trout and salmon in trout streams and lakes and Lake 
  5.27  Superior; 
  5.28     (3) acquisition of easements and fee title along trout 
  5.29  waters; 
  5.30     (4) identifying easement and fee title areas along trout 
  5.31  waters; and 
  5.32     (5) research and special management projects on Lake 
  5.33  Superior and the anadromous portions of its tributaries.  
  5.34     (b) Money in the account may not be used for costs unless 
  5.35  they are directly related to a specific parcel of land or body 
  5.36  of water under paragraph (a) or to specific fish rearing 
  6.1   activities under paragraph (a), clause (2). 
  6.2      Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.085, 
  6.3   subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
  6.4      Subd. 8.  [MODIFICATION OR ABANDONMENT.] A state game 
  6.5   refuge may be vacated or modified by the commissioner under the 
  6.6   same procedures required for establishment of the refuge, except 
  6.7   that a refuge established or modified under subdivision 2 or 3 
  6.8   may be vacated or modified following a public hearing as 
  6.9   specified in subdivision 4a.  
  6.10     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.101, is 
  6.11  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  6.12     Subd. 4.  [AIRBOATS AND PERSONAL WATERCRAFT 
  6.13  PROHIBITED.] The use of airboats and personal watercraft, as 
  6.14  defined in section 86B.005, subdivision 14a, is prohibited at 
  6.15  all times on lakes designated for wildlife management purposes 
  6.16  under this section unless otherwise authorized by the 
  6.17  commissioner. 
  6.18     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.411, 
  6.19  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  6.20     Subdivision 1.  [LICENSE PERIOD.] (a) Except as provided in 
  6.21  paragraph (b), a license is valid during the lawful time within 
  6.22  the license year that the licensed activity may be performed.  A 
  6.23  license year begins on the first day of March and ends on the 
  6.24  last day of February. 
  6.25     (b) A license issued under section 97A.475, subdivision 6, 
  6.26  clause (5), or section 97A.475, subdivision 7, clause (2), (3), 
  6.27  (5), or (6), or 97A.475, subdivision 12, clause (2), is valid 
  6.28  for the full license period even if this period extends into the 
  6.29  next license year, provided that the license period selected by 
  6.30  the licensee begins at the time of issuance. 
  6.31     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.411, 
  6.32  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  6.33     Subd. 3.  [ARCHERY DEER LICENSE.] (a) Except as provided in 
  6.34  paragraph paragraphs (b) and c, a license to take deer by 
  6.35  archery, firearms, or muzzleloader issued after the opening of 
  6.36  the related archery, firearms, or muzzleloader deer season, 
  7.1   respectively, is not valid until the fifth second day after it 
  7.2   is issued.  
  7.3      (b) The commissioner may issue a license to take a second 
  7.4   additional deer by archery under section 97B.301, subdivision 4, 
  7.5   that is valid immediately upon issuance. 
  7.6      (c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to deer licenses for 
  7.7   discharged military personnel under section 97A.465, subdivision 
  7.8   4. 
  7.9      Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.421, 
  7.10  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  7.11     Subdivision 1.  [GENERAL.] (a) The license of a person 
  7.12  convicted of a violation of the game and fish laws relating to 
  7.13  the license or wild animals covered by the license is void when: 
  7.14     (1) a second conviction occurs within three years under a 
  7.15  license to take small game or to take fish by angling or 
  7.16  spearing; 
  7.17     (2) a third conviction occurs within one year under a 
  7.18  minnow dealer's license; 
  7.19     (3) a second conviction occurs within three years for 
  7.20  violations of section 97A.425 that do not involve falsifications 
  7.21  or intentional omissions of information required to be recorded, 
  7.22  or attempts to conceal unlawful acts within the records; or 
  7.23     (4) two or more misdemeanor convictions occur within a 
  7.24  three-year period under a private fish hatchery license; or 
  7.25     (5) the conviction occurs under a license not described in 
  7.26  clause (1) or, (2), or (4) or is for a violation of section 
  7.27  97A.425 not described in clause (3).  
  7.28     (b) Except for big game licenses and as otherwise provided 
  7.29  in this section, for one year after the conviction the person 
  7.30  may not obtain the kind of license relating to the game and fish 
  7.31  law violation.  
  7.32     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.465, 
  7.33  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  7.34     Subd. 4.  [DISCHARGED RESIDENT; OBTAINING DEER LICENSE 
  7.35  DURING SEASON.] Notwithstanding section 97A.485, subdivision 9, 
  7.36  A resident who is discharged from the United States armed forces 
  8.1   during, or within ten days before, the firearms deer season may, 
  8.2   upon showing the official discharge paper, obtain a firearm deer 
  8.3   license during the season that is valid immediately upon 
  8.4   issuance.  
  8.5      Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.485, 
  8.6   subdivision 9, is amended to read: 
  8.7      Subd. 9.  [CERTAIN LICENSES NOT TO BE ISSUED AFTER SEASON 
  8.8   OPENS.] (a) The following licenses may not be issued after the 
  8.9   day before the opening of the related firearms season: 
  8.10     (1) to take deer with firearms, except a license to take 
  8.11  more than one deer under section 97B.301, subdivision 4; 
  8.12     (2) to guide bear hunters; and 
  8.13     (3) (2) to guide turkey hunters.  
  8.14     (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to deer licenses for 
  8.15  discharged military personnel under section 97A.465, subdivision 
  8.16  4.  
  8.17     (c) A nonresident license or tag to take and possess 
  8.18  raccoon, bobcat, Canada lynx, or fox may not be issued after the 
  8.19  fifth day of the open season.  
  8.20     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.485, is 
  8.21  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  8.22     Subd. 12.  [YOUTH DEER LICENSE.] The commissioner may, for 
  8.23  a fee of $5, issue to a resident under the age of 16 a license, 
  8.24  without a tag, to take deer with firearms.  A youth holding a 
  8.25  license issued under this subdivision may hunt under the license 
  8.26  only if accompanied by a licensed hunter who is at least 18 
  8.27  years of age and possesses a valid tag.  A deer taken by a youth 
  8.28  holding a license issued under this subdivision must be promptly 
  8.29  tagged by the licensed hunter accompanying the youth.  Section 
  8.30  97B.301, subdivision 6, does not apply to a youth holding a 
  8.31  license issued under this subdivision. 
  8.32     Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97B.035, 
  8.33  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  8.34     Subdivision 1.  [HUNTING WITH BOWS RELEASED BY MECHANICAL 
  8.35  DEVICES.] (a) A person may not hunt with a bow drawn, held, or 
  8.36  released by a mechanical device, except with a disabled hunter 
  9.1   permit issued under section 97B.106 or as provided in paragraph 
  9.2   (b).  
  9.3      (b) A person may use a mechanical device attached to the 
  9.4   bowstring if the person's own strength draws, holds, and 
  9.5   releases the bowstring. 
  9.6      Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97B.075, is 
  9.7   amended to read: 
  9.8      97B.075 [HUNTING RESTRICTED BETWEEN EVENING AND MORNING.] 
  9.9      A person may not take protected wild animals, except 
  9.10  raccoon and fox, with a firearm between the evening and morning 
  9.11  times established by commissioner's rule, except big game may be 
  9.12  taken from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour 
  9.13  after sunset, and, except as otherwise prescribed by the 
  9.14  commissioner during the first Saturday and Sunday of the season, 
  9.15  waterfowl may be taken by a minor or an adult accompanying a 
  9.16  minor from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset during the 
  9.17  entire season prescribed by the commissioner. 
  9.18     Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97B.106, is 
  9.19  amended to read: 
  9.20     97B.106 [CROSSBOW PERMITS FOR HUNTING.] 
  9.21     (a) [ELIGIBILITY.] The commissioner may issue a special 
  9.22  permit, without a fee, to take big game or turkey with a 
  9.23  crossbow to a person that who:  
  9.24     (1) is unable to hunt by archery because of a permanent or 
  9.25  temporary physical disability; or 
  9.26     (2) is 65 years of age or older.  
  9.27     (b) [REQUIREMENTS; DISABILITY.] To qualify a person for a 
  9.28  special permit under this section, a temporary disability must 
  9.29  render the person unable to hunt by archery for a minimum of two 
  9.30  years after application for the permit is made.  The permanent 
  9.31  or temporary disability, established by medical evidence, and 
  9.32  the inability to hunt by archery for the required period of time 
  9.33  must be verified in writing by a licensed physician.  The 
  9.34     (c) [REQUIREMENTS; GENERAL.] A person issued a special 
  9.35  permit under this section must obtain the appropriate license.  
  9.36  The crossbow must:  
 10.1      (1) be fired from the shoulder; 
 10.2      (2) deliver at least 42 foot-pounds of energy at a distance 
 10.3   of ten feet; 
 10.4      (3) have a stock at least 30 inches long; 
 10.5      (4) have a working safety; and 
 10.6      (5) be used with arrows or bolts at least ten inches long 
 10.7   with a broadhead. 
 10.8      Sec. 24.  [97B.112] [SPECIAL HUNTS FOR YOUTH.] 
 10.9      The commissioner may by rule establish criteria, special 
 10.10  seasons, and limits for youth hunters to take big game and small 
 10.11  game by firearms or archery in designated areas or times.  The 
 10.12  criteria may also include provisions for an unlicensed adult to 
 10.13  assist a youth hunter during a special season or special hunt 
 10.14  established under this section. 
 10.15     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97B.301, 
 10.16  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 10.17     Subd. 6.  [RESIDENTS UNDER AGE 16 MAY TAKE DEER OF EITHER 
 10.18  SEX.] A resident under the age of 16 may take a deer of either 
 10.19  sex except in those antlerless permit areas and seasons where no 
 10.20  antlerless permits are offered.  In antlerless permit areas 
 10.21  where no antlerless permits are offered, the commissioner may 
 10.22  provide a limited number of youth either sex permits to 
 10.23  residents under age 16, under the procedures provided in section 
 10.24  97B.305, and may give preference to residents under the age of 
 10.25  16 that have not previously been selected.  This subdivision 
 10.26  does not authorize the taking of an antlerless deer by another 
 10.27  member of a party under subdivision 3. 
 10.28     Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97B.655, 
 10.29  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 10.30     Subdivision 1.  [OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS MAY TAKE CERTAIN 
 10.31  ANIMALS.] A person may take mink, squirrel, rabbit, hare, 
 10.32  raccoon, lynx, bobcat, fox, opossum, muskrat, or beaver on land 
 10.33  owned or occupied by the person where the animal is causing 
 10.34  damage.  The person may take the animal without a license and in 
 10.35  any manner except by poison, or artificial lights in the closed 
 10.36  season.  Raccoons may be taken under this subdivision with 
 11.1   artificial lights during open season.  A person that kills mink, 
 11.2   raccoon, lynx, bobcat, fox, muskrat, or beaver under this 
 11.3   subdivision must bring the entire animal to notify a 
 11.4   conservation officer or employee of the division within 24 hours 
 11.5   after the animal is killed. 
 11.6      Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97B.805, 
 11.7   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 11.8      Subd. 2.  [RESTRICTIONS ON WATERCRAFT.] 
 11.9      (a) A person using watercraft to take migratory waterfowl 
 11.10  must comply with subdivision 1.  
 11.11     (b) Migratory waterfowl may be taken from a watercraft 
 11.12  propelled by motor or sails only if the watercraft has stopped 
 11.13  and the motor is shut off and the sails are furled.  
 11.14     (c) Migratory waterfowl may be taken from a floating 
 11.15  watercraft if the craft is drifting, beached, moored, resting at 
 11.16  anchor, or is being propelled by paddle, oars, or pole.  
 11.17     (d) The commissioner may adopt rules to restrict the use of 
 11.18  airboats during the migratory waterfowl season. 
 11.19     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97C.035, 
 11.20  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 11.21     Subdivision 1.  [CONDITIONS.] If the commissioner 
 11.22  determines that fish in shallow waters are endangered by lack of 
 11.23  oxygen in the winter in danger of dying, or if waters will be 
 11.24  restored with the use of piscicides, the commissioner shall may 
 11.25  rescue the fish under subdivision 2 or allow taking of the fish 
 11.26  under subdivision 3.  
 11.27     Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97C.211, 
 11.28  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 11.29     Subdivision 1.  [LICENSE REQUIRED.] A person may not 
 11.30  operate a private fish hatchery without a private fish hatchery 
 11.31  license.  A private fish hatchery is a facility for raising 
 11.32  fish, including minnows, for sale, stocking waters, angling, or 
 11.33  processing.  A private fish hatchery license is valid for five 
 11.34  years but must be renewed annually. 
 11.35     Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97C.211, is 
 11.36  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 12.1      Subd. 6.  [NONPUBLIC RECORDS.] Information on production, 
 12.2   harvest, and sales of aquatic life by a private fish hatchery is 
 12.3   nonpublic information. 
 12.4      Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97C.505, is 
 12.5   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 12.6      Subd. 7.  [INTERFERENCE PROHIBITED.] A person may not 
 12.7   knowingly damage, disturb, or interfere with legal commercial 
 12.8   minnow harvest operations. 
 12.9      Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 168.1291, 
 12.10  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 12.11     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITION.] For purposes of this section 
 12.12  "special license plates" means license plates issued under 
 12.13  sections 168.12, subdivisions 2b to 2e; 168.123; 168.129; and 
 12.14  168.1292; and 168.1296. 
 12.15     Sec. 33.  [REPEALER.] 
 12.16     Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.111, is repealed. 
 12.17     Sec. 34.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 12.18     Section 6 is effective the day following final enactment.