Minnesota Session Laws - 1991, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1991 

                        CHAPTER 242-S.F.No. 1027 
           An act relating to natural resources; establishing a 
          Minnesota adopt-a-park program; requiring the 
          department of natural resources to report to the 
          legislature on the program; ensuring that the program 
          does not conflict with public employee duties; 
          proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
          chapter 85. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
     Section 1.  [85.045] [ADOPT-A-PARK PROGRAM.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [CREATION.] The Minnesota adopt-a-park 
program is established.  The commissioner shall coordinate the 
program through the regional offices of the department of 
natural resources. 
    Subd. 2.  [PURPOSE.] The purpose of the program is to 
encourage business and civic groups or individuals to assist, on 
a volunteer basis, in improving and maintaining state parks, 
monuments, historic sites, and trails.  
    Subd. 3.  [AGREEMENTS.] (a) The commissioner shall enter 
into informal agreements with business and civic groups or 
individuals for volunteer services to maintain and make 
improvements to real and personal property in state parks, 
monuments, historic sites, and trails in accordance with plans 
devised by the commissioner after consultation with the groups. 
    (b) The commissioner may erect appropriate signs to 
recognize and express appreciation to groups and individuals 
providing volunteer services under the adopt-a-park program. 
    (c) The commissioner may provide assistance to enhance the 
comfort and safety of volunteers and to facilitate the 
implementation and administration of the adopt-a-park program.  
    (d) This section is not subject to chapter 14. 
    Subd. 4.  [WORKER DISPLACEMENT PROHIBITED.] The 
commissioner may not enter into any agreement that has the 
purpose of or results in the displacement of public employees by 
volunteers participating in the adopt-a-park program under this 
section.  The commissioner must certify to the appropriate 
bargaining agent that the work performed by a volunteer will not 
result in the displacement of currently employed workers or 
workers on seasonal layoff or layoff from a substantially 
equivalent position, including partial displacement such as 
reduction in hours of nonovertime work, wages, or other 
employment benefits. 
    Sec. 2.  [STUDY AND REPORT.] 
    The department of natural resources shall study and report 
to the appropriate committees of the senate and house of 
representatives by March 1, 1992, on the implementation of the 
program established in section 1.  The study must focus on major 
elements of the program, including liability for personal injury 
or property damage, the relationship between program 
participants and departmental employees, project selection, 
program costs, support services for program volunteers, and 
recognition of accomplishments.  The report must be accompanied 
by recommended legislation for improving the program. 
    Sec. 3.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
    This act is effective the day following final enactment. 
    Presented to the governor May 24, 1991 
    Signed by the governor May 28, 1991, 9:51 a.m.