1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; modifying provisions on the use of silencing 
1.3 	devices for wildlife management control;amending Minnesota Statutes 2005 
1.4 	Supplement, section 609.66, subdivision 1h.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 609.66, subdivision 1h, 
1.7 	is amended to read:
1.8 		Subd. 1h.Silencers; authorized for law enforcement and wildlife control 
1.9 	purposes. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), clause (1), licensed peace 
1.10 	officers may use devices designed to silence or muffle the discharge of a firearm for 
1.11 	tactical emergency response operations. Tactical emergency response operations include 
1.12 	execution of high risk search and arrest warrants, incidents of terrorism, hostage rescue, 
1.13 	and any other tactical deployments involving high risk circumstances. The chief law 
1.14 	enforcement officer of a law enforcement agency that has the need to use silencing devices 
1.15 	must establish and enforce a written policy governing the use of the devices.
1.16 	(b) Notwithstanding subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), clause (1), until July 1, 2011, 
1.17 	an enforcement officer, as defined in section 97A.015, subdivision 18, a wildlife area 
1.18 	manager, an employee designated under section 84.0835, or a person acting under contract 
1.19 	with the commissioner of natural resources or a local unit of government, at specific 
1.20 	times and locations that are authorized by the commissioner of natural resources may 
1.21 	use devices designed to silence or muffle the discharge of a firearm for wildlife control 
1.22 	operations that require stealth. If the commissioner determines that the use of silencing 
1.23 	devices is necessary under this paragraph, the commissioner must:
2.1 	(1) establish and enforce a written policy governing the use, possession, and 
2.2 	transportation of the devices;
2.3 	(2) limit the number of the silencing devices maintained by the Department of 
2.4 	Natural Resources to no more than ten; ~~and~~
2.5 	(3) keep direct custody and control of the devices when the devices are not 
2.6 	specifically authorized for use~~.~~; and
2.7 	(4) temporarily loan silencing devices to a local unit of government for use in 
2.8 	controlling wildlife, when use of the devices is:
2.9 	(i) requested by the local unit of government;
2.10 	(ii) part of a local wildlife management control plan that is approved by the 
2.11 	commissioner; and
2.12 	(iii) supervised by local peace officers.