SF 2767

1st Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/31/2022 08:16am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; modifying due date for certain reports; modifying
provisions for snowmobile registration; modifying state trail provisions; modifying
state park reservation policies; modifying when payment due for timber permits;
expanding use of lands enrolled in walk-in access program; modifying provisions
to issue special permits to use motorized vehicles in wildlife management areas;
permanently allowing portable stands in certain wildlife management areas;
modifying requirements for resident licenses; modifying firearm provisions;
establishing blaze orange or blaze pink requirements for ground blinds; authorizing
nonlethal hazing of deer and elk causing damage to crops; allowing angling with
two lines in certain areas; requiring rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes
2020, sections 84.027, subdivision 14a; 84.82, subdivision 2, by adding a
subdivision; 84.821, subdivision 2; 84.86, subdivision 1; 85.015, subdivision 10;
90.181, subdivision 2; 97A.015, subdivision 51; 97A.126, as amended; 97A.137,
subdivisions 3, 5; 97A.405, subdivision 5; 97B.031, subdivision 1, by adding a
subdivision; 97B.071; 97B.668; 97C.315, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2021
Supplement, section 85.052, subdivision 6; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2020,
section 97B.318; Minnesota Rules, parts 6100.5000, subparts 3, 4, 5; 6100.5700,
subpart 4.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 84.027, subdivision 14a, is amended to read:

Subd. 14a.

Permitting efficiency; public notice.

(a) It is the goal of the state that
environmental and resource management permits be issued or denied within 90 days for
tier 1 permits or 150 days for tier 2 permits following submission of a permit application.
The commissioner of natural resources shall establish management systems designed to
achieve the goal.

(b) The commissioner shall prepare an annual permitting efficiency report that includes
statistics on meeting the goal in paragraph (a) and the criteria for tier 2 by permit categories.
The report is due deleted text begin August deleted text end new text begin October new text end 1 each year. For permit applications that have not met
the goal, the report must state the reasons for not meeting the goal. In stating the reasons
for not meeting the goal, the commissioner shall separately identify delays caused by the
responsiveness of the proposer, lack of staff, scientific or technical disagreements, or the
level of public engagement. The report must specify the number of days from initial
submission of the application to the day of determination that the application is complete.
The report must aggregate the data for the year and assess whether program or system
changes are necessary to achieve the goal. The report must be posted on the department's
website and submitted to the governor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the
house of representatives and senate committees having jurisdiction over natural resources
policy and finance.

(c) The commissioner shall allow electronic submission of environmental review and
permit documents to the department.

(d) Within 30 business days of application for a permit subject to paragraph (a), the
commissioner of natural resources shall notify the permit applicant, in writing, whether the
application is complete or incomplete. If the commissioner determines that an application
is incomplete, the notice to the applicant must enumerate all deficiencies, citing specific
provisions of the applicable rules and statutes, and advise the applicant on how the
deficiencies can be remedied. If the commissioner determines that the application is complete,
the notice must confirm the application's tier 1 or tier 2 permit status. If the commissioner
believes that a complete application for a tier 2 construction permit cannot be issued within
the 150-day goal, the commissioner must provide notice to the applicant with the
commissioner's notice that the application is complete and, upon request of the applicant,
provide the permit applicant with a schedule estimating when the agency will begin drafting
the permit and issue the public notice of the draft permit. This paragraph does not apply to
an application for a permit that is subject to a grant or loan agreement under chapter 446A.

(e) When public notice of a draft individual tier 2 permit is required, the commissioner
must provide the applicant a draft permit for review by the applicant within 30 days after
determining the proposal conforms to all federal and state laws and rules, unless the permit
applicant and the commissioner mutually agree to a different date. The commissioner must
consider all comments submitted by the applicant before issuing the permit.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 84.82, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Application, issuance, issuing fee.

(a) Application for registration or
reregistration shall be made to the commissioner or an authorized deputy registrar of motor
vehicles in a format prescribed by the commissioner and shall state the legal name and
address of every owner of the snowmobile.

(b) A person who purchases a snowmobile from a retail dealer shall make application
for registration to the dealer at the point of sale. The dealer shall issue a dealer temporary
21-day registration permit to each purchaser who applies to the dealer for registration. The
temporary permit must contain the dealer's identification number and phone number. Each
retail dealer shall submit completed registration and fees to the deputy registrar at least once
a week. No fee may be charged by a dealer to a purchaser for providing the temporary
permit.

(c) Upon receipt of the application and the appropriate fee, the commissioner or deputy
registrar shall issue to the applicant, or provide to the dealer, an assigned registration number
or a commissioner or deputy registrar temporary 21-day permit. new text begin The registration number
must be printed on a registration decal issued by the commissioner or deputy registrar. new text end Once
issued, the registration deleted text begin number deleted text end new text begin decal new text end must be affixed to the snowmobile in a clearly visible
and permanent manner for enforcement purposes deleted text begin as the commissioner of natural resources
shall prescribe deleted text end new text begin according to subdivision 3b new text end . A dealer subject to paragraph (b) shall provide
the registration materials or temporary permit to the purchaser within the temporary 21-day
permit period. The registration is not valid unless signed by at least one owner.

(d) Each deputy registrar of motor vehicles acting pursuant to section 168.33 shall also
be a deputy registrar of snowmobiles. The commissioner of natural resources in agreement
with the commissioner of public safety may prescribe the accounting and procedural
requirements necessary to ensure efficient handling of registrations and registration fees.
Deputy registrars shall strictly comply with these accounting and procedural requirements.

(e) In addition to other fees prescribed by law, an issuing fee of $4.50 is charged for
each snowmobile registration renewal, duplicate or replacement registration card, and
replacement decal, and an issuing fee of $7 is charged for each snowmobile registration and
registration transfer issued by:

(1) a registrar or a deputy registrar and must be deposited in the manner provided in
section 168.33, subdivision 2; or

(2) the commissioner and must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the
snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the natural resources fund.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 84.82, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 3b. new text end

new text begin Display of registration decal. new text end

new text begin (a) A person must not operate a snowmobile
in the state or allow another to operate the person's snowmobile in the state unless the
snowmobile has its unexpired registration decal affixed to each side of the snowmobile and
the decal is legible.
new text end

new text begin (b) The registration decal must be affixed:
new text end

new text begin (1) for snowmobiles made after June 30, 1972, in the area provided by the manufacturer
under section 84.821, subdivision 2; and
new text end

new text begin (2) for all other snowmobiles, on each side of the cowling on the upper half of the
snowmobile.
new text end

new text begin (c) When any previously affixed registration decal is destroyed or lost, a duplicate must
be affixed in the same manner as provided in paragraph (b).
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 84.821, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Area for registration number.

All snowmobiles made after June 30, 1972,
and sold in Minnesota, shall be designed and made to provide an area on which to affix the
registration deleted text begin number deleted text end new text begin decal new text end . deleted text begin This area shall be at a location and of dimensions prescribed by
rule of the commissioner. deleted text end new text begin A clear area must be provided on each side of the cowling with
a minimum size of 3-1/2 square inches and at least 12 inches from the ground when the
machine is resting on a hard surface.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 84.86, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Required rules new text begin , fees, and reports new text end .

new text begin (a) new text end With a view of achieving maximum
use of snowmobiles consistent with protection of the environment the commissioner of
natural resources shall adopt rules in the manner provided by chapter 14, for the following
purposes:

(1) registration of snowmobiles deleted text begin and display of registration numbers. deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

(2) use of snowmobiles insofar as game and fish resources are affected deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

(3) use of snowmobiles on public lands and waters, or on grant-in-aid trails deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

(4) uniform signs to be used by the state, counties, and cities, which are necessary or
desirable to control, direct, or regulate the operation and use of snowmobiles deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

(5) specifications relating to snowmobile mufflers deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

(6) a comprehensive snowmobile information and safety education and training program deleted text begin ,
including deleted text end new text begin that includes new text end but new text begin is new text end not limited to deleted text begin the preparation and dissemination of deleted text end new text begin preparing
and disseminating new text end snowmobile information and safety advice to the public, deleted text begin the deleted text end training deleted text begin of deleted text end
snowmobile operators, and deleted text begin the issuance of deleted text end new text begin issuing new text end snowmobile safety certificates to
snowmobile operators who successfully complete the snowmobile safety education and
training course.

new text begin (b) new text end For the purpose of administering deleted text begin such deleted text end new text begin the new text end program new text begin under paragraph (a), clause (6), new text end
and to defray expenses of training and certifying snowmobile operators, the commissioner
shall collect a fee from each person who receives the youth or adult training. The
commissioner shall collect a fee, to include a $1 issuing fee for licensing agents, for issuing
a duplicate snowmobile safety certificate. The commissioner shall establish both 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 fees may be established by the
commissioner notwithstanding section 16A.1283. The fees, except for the issuing fee for
licensing agents under this subdivision, shall be deposited in the snowmobile trails and
enforcement account in the natural resources fund and the amount thereof, except for the
electronic licensing system commission established by the commissioner under section
84.027, subdivision 15, and issuing fees collected by the commissioner, is appropriated
annually to the Enforcement Division of the Department of Natural Resources for deleted text begin the
administration of such deleted text end new text begin administering the new text end programs. In addition to the fee established by the
commissioner, instructors may charge each person any fee paid by the instructor for the
person's online training course and up to the established fee amount for class materials and
expenses. The commissioner shall cooperate with private organizations and associations,
private and public corporations, and local governmental units in furtherance of the program
established under deleted text begin this deleted text end new text begin paragraph (a), new text end clause new text begin (6) new text end . School districts may cooperate with the
commissioner and volunteer instructors to provide space for the classroom portion of the
training. The commissioner shall consult with the commissioner of public safety in regard
to training program subject matter and performance testing that leads to the certification of
snowmobile operators.

deleted text begin (7) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end The operator of any snowmobile involved in an accident resulting in injury
requiring medical attention or hospitalization to or death of any person or total damage to
an extent of $500 or more, shall forward a written report of the accident to the commissioner
on deleted text begin such deleted text end new text begin a new text end form deleted text begin as deleted text end new text begin prescribed by new text end the commissioner deleted text begin shall prescribe deleted text end . If the operator is killed
or is unable to file a report due to incapacitation, any peace officer investigating the accident
shall file the accident report within ten business days.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 85.015, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Luce Line Trail, Hennepin, McLeod, and Meeker Counties.

(a) The trail
shall originate at Gleason Lake in Plymouth Village, Hennepin County, deleted text begin and shall deleted text end follow
the route of the Chicago Northwestern Railroad new text begin , and include a connection to Greenleaf Lake
State Recreation Area new text end .

(b) The trail shall be developed for multiuse wherever feasible. The department shall
cooperate in maintaining its integrity for modes of use consistent with local ordinances.

(c) In establishing, developing, maintaining, and operating the trail, the commissioner
shall cooperate with local units of government and private individuals and groups. Before
acquiring any parcel of land for the trail, the commissioner of natural resources shall develop
a management program for the parcel and conduct a public hearing on the proposed
management program in the vicinity of the parcel to be acquired. The management program
of the commissioner shall include but not be limited to the following:

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end new text begin (1) new text end fencing deleted text begin of deleted text end portions of the trail where necessary to protect adjoining landowners;
and

deleted text begin (b) the maintenance of deleted text end new text begin (2) maintaining new text end the trail in a deleted text begin litter free deleted text end new text begin litter-free new text end condition to the
extent practicable.

(d) The commissioner shall not acquire any of the right-of-way of the Chicago
Northwestern Railway Company until the abandonment of the line described in this
subdivision has been approved by the Surface Transportation Board or the former Interstate
Commerce Commission. Compensation, in addition to the value of the land, shall include
improvements made by the railroad, including but not limited to, bridges, trestles, public
road crossings, or any portion thereof, it being the desire of the railroad that such
improvements be included in the conveyance. The fair market value of the land and
improvements shall be recommended by two independent appraisers mutually agreed upon
by the parties. The fair market value thus recommended shall be reviewed by a review
appraiser agreed to by the parties, and the fair market value thus determined, and supported
by appraisals, may be the purchase price. The commissioner may exchange lands with
landowners abutting the right-of-way described in this section to eliminate diagonally shaped
separate fields.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 85.052, subdivision 6, is amended
to read:

Subd. 6.

State park reservation system.

(a) The commissioner may, by written order,
develop reasonable reservation policies for deleted text begin campsites and other deleted text end new text begin using camping, new text end lodging new text begin ,
and day-use facilities and for tours, educational programs, seminars, events, and rentals new text end .
The policies are exempt from the rulemaking provisions under chapter 14, and section
14.386 does not apply.

(b) The revenue collected from the state park reservation fee established under subdivision
5, including interest earned, deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be deposited in the state park account in the natural
resources fund and is annually appropriated to the commissioner for the cost of operating
the state park reservation and point-of-sale system.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 90.181, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Deferred payments.

(a) If the amount of the statement is not paid new text begin or payment
is not postmarked new text end within 30 days of the new text begin statement new text end date deleted text begin thereof, it shall bear deleted text end new text begin , the amount
bears new text end interest at the rate determined pursuant to section 16A.124, except that the purchaser
deleted text begin shall not be deleted text end new text begin is not new text end required to pay interest that totals $1 or less. If the amount is not paid
within 60 days, the commissioner shall place the account in the hands of the commissioner
of revenue according to chapter 16D, who shall proceed to collect the deleted text begin same deleted text end new text begin amount due new text end .
When deemed in the best interests of the state, the commissioner shall take possession of
the timber for which an amount is due wherever it may be found and sell the deleted text begin same deleted text end new text begin timber new text end
informally or at public auction after giving reasonable notice.

(b) The proceeds of the sale deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be applied, first, to the payment of the expenses
of seizure and sale deleted text begin ; deleted text end and, second, to the payment of the amount due for the timber, with
interest deleted text begin ; and deleted text end new text begin . new text end The surplus, if any, deleted text begin shall belong deleted text end new text begin belongs new text end to the state deleted text begin ; and, deleted text end new text begin . new text end In case a sufficient
amount is not realized to pay these amounts in full, the balance deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be collected by
the attorney general. deleted text begin Neither deleted text end Payment of the amount, deleted text begin nor the deleted text end recovery of judgment deleted text begin therefor deleted text end new text begin
for the amount new text end , deleted text begin nor deleted text end satisfaction of the judgment, deleted text begin nor the deleted text end new text begin or new text end seizure and sale of timber deleted text begin , shall deleted text end new text begin
does not:
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end release the sureties on any security deposit given pursuant to this chapter deleted text begin , or deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) new text end preclude the state from afterwards claiming that the timber was cut or removed
contrary to law and recovering damages for the trespass thereby committed deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin ; new text end or

new text begin (3) preclude the state new text end from prosecuting the offender criminally.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97A.015, subdivision 51, is amended to read:

Subd. 51.

Unloaded.

"Unloaded" means, with reference to a firearm, without ammunition
in the barrels and magazine, if the magazine is in the firearm. A muzzle-loading firearm
deleted text begin with deleted text end new text begin is unloaded if:
new text end

new text begin (1) for new text end a flintlock ignition deleted text begin is unloaded if deleted text end new text begin , new text end it does not have priming powder in a pan deleted text begin . A
muzzle-loading firearm with deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) for a new text end percussion ignition deleted text begin is unloaded if deleted text end new text begin , new text end it does not have a percussion cap on a nipple deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (3) for an electronic ignition system, the battery is removed and is disconnected from
the firearm; and
new text end

new text begin (4) for an encapsulated powder charge ignition system, the primer and powder charge
are removed from the firearm.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97A.126, as amended by Laws 2021, First
Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 52, is amended to read:

97A.126 WALK-IN ACCESS PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

A walk-in access program is established to provide public
access to wildlife habitat on private land for hunting, new text begin bird-watching, nature photography,
and similar compatible uses, new text end excluding trapping, as provided under this section. The
commissioner may enter into agreements with other units of government and landowners
to provide private land hunting access.

Subd. 2.

Use of enrolled lands.

(a) From September 1 to May 31, a person must have
a walk-in access deleted text begin hunter deleted text end validation in possession to hunt new text begin , photograph, and watch wildlife new text end on
private lands, including agricultural lands, that are posted as being enrolled in the walk-in
access program.

(b) Hunting new text begin , bird-watching, nature photography, and similar compatible uses new text end on private
lands that are posted as enrolled in the walk-in access program is allowed from one-half
hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

(c) deleted text begin Hunter deleted text end Access on private lands that are posted as enrolled in the walk-in access
program is restricted to nonmotorized use, except by deleted text begin hunters deleted text end new text begin persons new text end with disabilities
operating motor vehicles on established trails or field roads who deleted text begin possess a valid permit to
shoot from a stationary vehicle under section deleted text begin 97B.055, subdivision 3 deleted text end deleted text end new text begin provide credible
assurance to the commissioner that the device or motor boat is used because of a disability new text end .

(d) The general provisions for use of wildlife management areas adopted under sections
86A.06 and 97A.137, relating to overnight use, alcoholic beverages, use of motorboats,
firearms and target shooting, hunting stands, abandonment of trash and property, destruction
or removal of property, introduction of plants or animals, and animal trespass, apply to
deleted text begin hunters on deleted text end new text begin use of new text end lands enrolled in the walk-in access program.

(e) Any use of enrolled lands other than deleted text begin hunting according to deleted text end new text begin use authorized under new text end this
section is prohibited, including:

(1) harvesting bait, including minnows, leeches, and other live bait;

(2) training dogs or using dogs for activities other than hunting; and

(3) constructing or maintaining any building, dock, fence, billboard, sign, hunting blind,
or other structure, unless constructed or maintained by the landowner.

Subd. 3.

Walk-in-access deleted text begin hunter deleted text end validation; fee.

The fee for a walk-in-access deleted text begin hunter deleted text end
validation is $3.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97A.137, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Use of motorized vehicles by deleted text begin disabled hunters deleted text end new text begin people with disabilities new text end .

The
commissioner may deleted text begin issue deleted text end new text begin provide an accommodation by issuing new text end a special permit, without a
fee, authorizing a deleted text begin hunter deleted text end new text begin person new text end with a deleted text begin permanent physical deleted text end disability to use deleted text begin a snowmobile,
highway-licensed vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, deleted text end new text begin an other power-driven mobility device, as
defined under Code of Federal Regulations, title 28, section 35.104, new text end or new text begin a new text end motor boat in
wildlife management areas. To qualify for a permit under this subdivision, the deleted text begin disabled deleted text end
person must deleted text begin possess:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the required hunting licenses; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) a permit to shoot from a stationary vehicle under section 97B.055, subdivision 3. deleted text end new text begin
provide credible assurance to the commissioner that the device or motor boat is used because
of a disability.
new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97A.137, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Portable stands.

(a) Prior to the Saturday on or nearest September 16, a portable
stand may be left overnight in a wildlife management area by a person with a valid bear
license who is hunting within 100 yards of a bear bait site that is legally tagged and registered
as prescribed under section 97B.425. Any person leaving a portable stand overnight under
this subdivision must affix a tag with: (1) the person's name and address; (2) the licensee's
driver's license number; or (3) the "MDNR#" license identification number issued to the
licensee. The tag must be affixed to the stand in a manner that it can be read from the ground.

(b) From November 1 through December 31, a portable stand may be left overnight by
a person possessing a license to take deer in a wildlife management area located in whole
or in part north and west of a line described as follows:

State Trunk Highway 1 from the west boundary of the state to State Trunk Highway 89;
then north along State Trunk Highway 89 to Fourtown; then north on County State-Aid
Highway 44, Beltrami County, to County Road 704, Beltrami County; then north on County
Road 704 to Dick's Parkway State Forest Road; then north on Dick's Parkway to County
State-Aid Highway 5, Roseau County; then north on County State-Aid Highway 5 to
Warroad; then north on State Trunk Highway 11 to State Trunk Highway 313; then north
on State Trunk Highway 313 to the north boundary of the state.

A person leaving a portable stand overnight under this paragraph must affix a tag with: (1)
the person's name and address; (2) the licensee's driver's license number; or (3) the "MDNR#"
license identification number issued to the licensee. The tag must be affixed to the stand so
that it can be read from the ground and must be made of a material sufficient to withstand
weather conditions. A person leaving a portable stand overnight in a wildlife management
area under this paragraph may not leave more than two portable stands in any one wildlife
management area. Unoccupied portable stands left overnight under this paragraph may be
used by any member of the public. deleted text begin This paragraph expires December 31, 2019.
deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from July 1, 2019, and
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.137, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), is revived and reenacted
as of that date.
new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97A.405, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Resident licenses.

new text begin (a) new text end To obtain a resident license, deleted text begin a resident deleted text end new text begin an individual new text end 21
years of age or older must new text begin be a resident and new text end :

(1) possess a current Minnesota driver's license new text begin or a valid application receipt for a driver's
license that is at least 60 days past the issuance date new text end ;

(2) possess a current identification card issued by the commissioner of public safety new text begin or
a valid application receipt for an identification card that is at least 60 days past the issuance
date new text end ; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(3) present evidence showing proof of residency in cases when clause (1) or (2) would
violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, Public Law 103-141 deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (4) possess a Tribal identification card as provided in paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this subdivision, "Tribal identification card" means an unexpired
identification card as provided under section 171.072, paragraphs (b) and (c). The Tribal
identification card:
new text end

new text begin (1) must contain the enrolled Tribal member's Minnesota residence address; and
new text end

new text begin (2) may be used to obtain a resident license under paragraph (a) only if the Tribal member
does not have a current driver's license or state identification card in any state.
new text end

new text begin (c) A person must not have applied for, purchased, or accepted a resident hunting, fishing,
or trapping license issued by another state or foreign country within 60 days before applying
for a resident license under this section.
new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97B.031, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Permissible firearms and ammunition; big game and wolves.

A person
may take big game and wolves with a firearm only if:

(1) deleted text begin the deleted text end new text begin any new text end rifle, shotgun, deleted text begin and deleted text end new text begin or new text end handgun used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and deleted text begin with deleted text end new text begin
has new text end centerfire ignition;

(2) the firearm is loaded only with single projectile ammunition;

(3) a projectile used is a caliber of at least .22 inches and has a soft point or is an
expanding bullet type;

(4) deleted text begin the deleted text end new text begin any new text end muzzleloader used deleted text begin is incapable of being deleted text end new text begin has the projectile new text end loaded new text begin only new text end at the
deleted text begin breech deleted text end new text begin muzzle new text end ;

(5) deleted text begin the deleted text end new text begin any new text end smooth-bore muzzleloader used is a caliber of at least .45 inches; and

(6) deleted text begin the deleted text end new text begin any new text end rifled muzzleloader used is a caliber of at least .40 inches.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97B.031, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Regular firearms deer season. new text end

new text begin During the regular firearms deer season, all
legal firearms may be used statewide.
new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97B.071, is amended to read:

97B.071 CLOTHING new text begin AND GROUND BLIND new text end REQUIREMENTS; BLAZE
ORANGE OR BLAZE PINK.

(a) Except as provided in rules adopted under paragraph deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end , a person may not hunt
or trap during the open season where deer may be taken by firearms under applicable laws
and ordinances, unless the visible portion of the person's cap and outer clothing above the
waist, excluding sleeves and gloves, is blaze orange or blaze pink. Blaze orange or blaze
pink includes a camouflage pattern of at least 50 percent blaze orange or blaze pink within
each foot square. This section does not apply to migratory-waterfowl hunters on waters of
this state or in a stationary shooting location or to trappers on waters of this state.

new text begin (b) Except as provided in rules adopted under paragraph (d) and in addition to the
requirements under paragraph (a), during the open season where deer may be taken by
firearms under applicable laws and ordinances, a person in a fabric or synthetic ground
blind on public land must have:
new text end

new text begin (1) a blaze orange or blaze pink safety covering on the top of the blind visible for 360
degrees around the blind; or
new text end

new text begin (2) at least 144 square inches of blaze orange or blaze pink material on each side of the
blind.
new text end

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end Except as provided in rules adopted under paragraph deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end , and in addition to
the deleted text begin requirement deleted text end new text begin requirements new text end in deleted text begin paragraph deleted text end new text begin paragraphs new text end (a) new text begin and (b) new text end , a person may not take
small game other than turkey, migratory birds, raccoons, and predators, except while trapping,
unless a visible portion of at least one article of the person's clothing above the waist is
blaze orange or blaze pink. This paragraph does not apply to a person when in a stationary
location while hunting deer by archery or when hunting small game by falconry.

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe an alternative color in cases where
deleted text begin paragraph (a) or (b) deleted text end new text begin paragraphs (a) to (c) new text end would violate the Religious Freedom Restoration
Act of 1993, Public Law 103-141.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end A violation of paragraph deleted text begin (b) shall deleted text end new text begin (c) does new text end not result in a penalty, but is punishable
only by a safety warning.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97B.668, is amended to read:

97B.668 deleted text begin GAME BIRDS deleted text end new text begin ANIMALS new text end CAUSING DAMAGE.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Game birds causing damage. new text end

Notwithstanding sections 97B.091 and
97B.805, subdivisions 1 and 2, a person or agent of that person on lands and nonpublic
waters owned or operated by the person may nonlethally scare, haze, chase, or harass game
birds that are causing property damage or to protect a disease risk at any time or place that
a hunting season for the game birds is not open. This section does not apply to public waters
as defined under section 103G.005, subdivision 15. This section does not apply to migratory
waterfowl on nests and other federally protected game birds on nests, except ducks and
geese on nests when a permit is obtained under section 97A.401.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Deer and elk causing damage. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding section 97B.091, a property
owner, the property owner's immediate family member, or an agent of the property owner
may nonlethally scare, haze, chase, or harass deer or elk that are causing damage to
agricultural crops propagated under generally accepted agricultural practices.
new text end

new text begin (b) Paragraph (a) applies only:
new text end

new text begin (1) in the immediate area of the crop damage; and
new text end

new text begin (2) during the closed season for taking deer or elk.
new text end

new text begin (c) Paragraph (a) does not allow:
new text end

new text begin (1) using poisons;
new text end

new text begin (2) using dogs;
new text end

new text begin (3) conduct that drives a deer or elk to the point of exhaustion;
new text end

new text begin (4) activities requiring a permit under section 97A.401; or
new text end

new text begin (5) causing the death of a deer or elk or actions likely to cause the death of a deer or elk.
new text end

new text begin (d) A property owner or the owner's agent must report the death of any deer or elk to
Division of Fish and Wildlife staff within 24 hours of the death if the death resulted from
actions taken under paragraph (a).
new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97C.315, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Lines.

An angler may not use more than one line except:

(1) two lines may be used to take fish through the ice; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(2) the commissioner may, by rule, authorize the use of two lines in areas designated by
the commissioner in Lake Superior deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (3) two lines may be used in the Minnesota River downstream of the Granite Falls dam
and in the Mississippi River downstream of St. Anthony Falls.
new text end

Sec. 19. new text begin REQUIRED RULEMAKING.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of natural resources must amend Minnesota Rules as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) part 6100.5000, subpart 1, by striking the last sentence and inserting "The registration
number remains the same if renewed by July 1 following the expiration date.";
new text end

new text begin (2) part 6100.5700, subpart 1, item C, by striking the reference to registration numbers;
and
new text end

new text begin (3) part 6230.0250, subpart 10, item A, subitem (2), by changing the word "hunter" to
"person".
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may use the good-cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes,
section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules under this section, and Minnesota
Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply except as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section
14.388.
new text end

Sec. 20. new text begin REGISTRATION DECAL FORMAT TRANSITION.
new text end

new text begin Separately displaying registration numbers is not required when a larger-format
registration decal as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.82, subdivision 2, is
displayed according to Minnesota Statutes, section 84.82, subdivision 3b. Snowmobiles
displaying valid but older smaller-format registration decals must display the separate
registration numbers. Persons may obtain duplicate registration decals in the new, larger
format, when available, without being required to display the separate registration numbers.
new text end

Sec. 21. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 97B.318, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Rules, parts 6100.5000, subparts 3, 4, and 5; and 6100.5700, subpart 4, new text end new text begin
are repealed.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S2767-1

97B.318 ARMS USE AREAS AND RESTRICTIONS; REGULAR FIREARMS SEASON.

Subdivision 1.

Shotgun use area.

During the regular firearms season in the shotgun use area, only legal shotguns loaded with single-slug shotgun shells, legal muzzle-loading long guns, and legal handguns may be used for taking deer. Legal shotguns include those with rifled barrels. The shotgun use area is that portion of the state lying within the following described boundary: Beginning on the west boundary of the state at the northern boundary of Clay County; thence along the northern boundary of Clay County to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32; thence along STH 32 to STH 34; thence along STH 34 to Interstate Highway 94 (I-94); thence along I-94 to County State-Aid Highway (CSAH) 40, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 40 to CSAH 82, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 82 to CSAH 22, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 22 to CSAH 6, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 6 to CSAH 14, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 14 to STH 29; thence along STH 29 to CSAH 46, Otter Tail County; thence along CSAH 46, Otter Tail County, to CSAH 22, Todd County; thence along CSAH 22 to U.S. Highway 71; thence along U.S. Highway 71 to STH 27; thence along STH 27 to the Mississippi River; thence along the east bank of the Mississippi River to STH 23; thence along STH 23 to STH 95; thence along STH 95 to U.S. Highway 8; thence along U.S. Highway 8 to the eastern boundary of the state; thence along the east, south, and west boundaries of the state to the point of beginning.

Subd. 2.

All legal firearms use area.

The all legal firearms use area is that part of the state lying outside of the shotgun use area.

Repealed Minnesota Rule: S2767-1

6100.5000 SNOWMOBILE REGISTRATION AND DISPLAY OF NUMBERS.

Subp. 3.

Affixation of number.

The registration number of the snowmobile, shown on the registration certificate, shall be affixed to the snowmobile and maintained in a clear, legible manner. On all machines made after June 30, 1972, and sold in Minnesota, such registration number shall be affixed in the space provided therefor in accordance with part 6100.5700, subpart 4. On all other machines it shall be affixed on each side of the cowling on the upper half of the machine, as follows.

[ Image Not Shown ]

Subp. 4.

Description of decal or number; lost or destroyed number or decal.

All letters and numbers shall be of a color which will contrast with the surface to which applied, and shall be at least three inches high and three-eighths inch stroke. When any previously affixed registration number or decal is destroyed or lost, a duplicate shall be affixed in the manner shown above. The registration number shall remain the same if renewed by July 1 following the expiration date.

Subp. 5.

General prohibition.

No person shall operate or transport, and no person shall permit the operation of, a snowmobile within this state which does not have its registration number and unexpired decal affixed in the form and manner required by this part, unless the owner is exempted from the registration requirements of this state by Minnesota Statutes, section 84.82.

6100.5700 REQUIRED EQUIPMENT.

Subp. 4.

Snowmobile registration number affixation.

All snowmobiles made after June 30, 1972, and sold in Minnesota, shall be designed and made to provide an area on which to affix the snowmobile registration number at the following location and of the following dimensions:

A.

A clear area shall be provided on each side of the cowling or pan with the minimum size of 3-1/2 inches vertical by 11 inches horizontal.

B.

It shall be a minimum of 12 inches from the ground when the machine is resting on a hard surface.