1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; creating the Reinvest in Fish Hatcheries 
1.3 	Citizen-Legislative Advisory Group; providing appointments; requiring a report.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. REINVEST IN FISH HATCHERIES CITIZEN-LEGISLATIVE 
1.6 	ADVISORY GROUP.
 1.7 		Subdivision 1.Advisory group established; duties. (a) A 12-member Reinvest in Fish 
1.8 	Hatcheries Citizen-Legislative Advisory Group is created to study the commissioner of 
1.9 	natural resources' programs on walleye stocking and other fish stocking, natural fish 
1.10 	reproduction, and the status of Minnesota's fish hatchery system.
1.11 	(b) The advisory group must study the public priorities and life cycle of Minnesota's 
1.12 	fish hatchery system and a cost-benefit analysis, consider issues of accountability and 
1.13 	transparency, and examine reviews and analyses of:
1.14 	(1) the economics of Minnesota's fish- and angling-related activities and the tax revenue 
1.15 	to the state's general fund;
1.16 	(2) any Department of Natural Resources surveys and polling of Minnesota angler 
1.17 	priorities;
1.18 	(3) past and present fisheries long-range plans, legislative auditor reports, and other 
1.19 	fisheries plans; and
1.20 	(4) the status of the following proposed, closed, and currently operating Minnesota fish 
1.21 	hatchery systems: Mille Lacs, Minnesota Museum and Fishing Hall of Fame, Lanesboro, 
1.22 	Crystal Springs, Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, French River, Glenwood, Grand Rapids, 
2.1 	New London, Park Rapids, Peterson, Pike River, Spire Valley, St. Paul, Walker Lake, and 
2.2 	Waterville.
2.3 	(c) The advisory group must prepare a plan and select fish hatchery sites for on-site 
2.4 	visits and reviews.
2.5 	(d) The advisory group must implement an action plan, develop priorities for fish 
2.6 	hatcheries, and review and recommend priorities of species for fish stocking to maximize 
2.7 	statewide opportunities for angling.
2.8 	(e) The advisory group must study alternatives to current fish hatchery stocking, including 
2.9 	private sector stocking vendors.
2.10 		Subd. 2.Consultation required. (a) The advisory group must consult with advisory 
2.11 	committees of the commissioner of natural resources, game and fish oversight committees, 
2.12 	and fishery-related interests, including but not limited to counties, lake associations, small 
2.13 	businesses, resort owners, guides, and other industry-related interests.
2.14 	(b) In developing recommendations, the advisory group must consult with the 
2.15 	commissioner of natural resources, experts in managing a fishery, and affected stakeholders.
2.16 		Subd. 3.Membership; appointments. (a) The Reinvest in Fish Hatcheries 
2.17 	Citizen-Legislative Advisory Group includes:
2.18 	(1) the chair of the house of representatives Environment and Natural Resources Policy 
2.19 	and Finance Committee, a minority member of the committee, and four citizens appointed 
2.20 	by the speaker of the house; and
2.21 	(2) the chair of the senate Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee, a 
2.22 	minority member of the committee, and four citizens appointed by the senate Subcommittee 
2.23 	on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration.
2.24 	(b) Appointments to the advisory group must be made by November 1, 2018. If a vacancy 
2.25 	occurs, the leader of the caucus in the body to which the vacating advisory group member 
2.26 	belonged must fill the vacancy.
2.27 		Subd. 4.Meetings; staff assistance. (a) The chairs of the senate and house of 
2.28 	representatives committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources finance 
2.29 	must convene the first meeting of the Reinvest in Fish Hatcheries Citizen-Legislative 
2.30 	Advisory Group. The advisory group must elect a chair or co-chairs from among the members 
2.31 	at the first meeting. The Reinvest in Fish Hatcheries Citizen-Legislative Advisory Group 
2.32 	must meet periodically.
3.1 	(b) The Legislative Coordinating Commission must provide technical and administrative 
3.2 	assistance to the advisory group upon request.
3.3 		Subd. 5.Report to legislature. The Reinvest in Fish Hatcheries Citizen-Legislative 
3.4 	Advisory Group must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the 
3.5 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources policy and 
3.6 	finance no later than January 15, 2020, describing its work and recommendations. The 
3.7 	advisory group is encouraged to identify and include in the report any statutory changes, 
3.8 	funding requests, and bonding requests needed to implement the advisory group's 
3.9 	recommendations.
3.10 		Subd. 6.Expiration. This section expires June 30, 2020.