HF 800

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/14/2019 05:15pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; providing for reimbursement of costs associated with
beaver damage; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections 97B.655, subdivision
2; 97B.665, subdivision 2; 97B.667, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 97B.655, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Special permit for taking protected wild animals.

The commissioner may
issue special permits under section 97A.401, subdivision 5, to take protected wild animals
that are damaging property or to remove or destroy their dens, nests, houses, or dams. Costs
associated with taking beaver that are damaging property or with removing or destroying
beaver lodges or dams are reimbursable according to section 97B.667, subdivision 5, if
incurred under a special permit issued under this subdivision.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 97B.665, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Petition to district court.

If a beaver dam causes a threat to personal safety or
a serious threat to damage property, a person may petition the district court for relief. The
court may order the owners of private property where beaver dams are located to take action
to reduce the threat. A permit is not required for an action ordered by the court. The action
may include destruction or alteration of beaver dams and removal of beaver. This subdivision
does not apply to state parks, state game refuges, and federal game refuges. Costs incurred
for actions ordered by the court under this subdivision are reimbursable according to section
97B.667, subdivision 5.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 97B.667, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

Subd. 5.

Cost reimbursement.

(a) A person may submit to the commissioner for
reimbursement receipts for costs incurred for beaver control methods authorized under this
section or section 97B.655, subdivision 2, or 97B.665, subdivision 2. Costs eligible for
reimbursement include costs for:

(1) taking beaver;

(2) removing, altering, or destroying a beaver lodge or dam;

(3) repairing damage to property caused by beaver;

(4) removing impairments caused by beaver when the impairments interfere with public
drainage systems or threaten to damage public property; or

(5) arranging for or contracting with a third party to perform an action under clauses (1)
to (4).

(b) A person must submit receipts for reimbursement during the state fiscal year that
the costs were incurred. The commissioner must reimburse eligible costs evidenced by valid
receipts submitted under paragraph (a) within 45 days of receiving the request for
reimbursement. The commissioner must use money from the base budget of the Division
of Fish and Wildlife. No money is appropriated to fund reimbursements according to this
subdivision.

(c) The commissioner may reduce the amount requested for reimbursement by the amount
of any grant received by the requester under section 103F.950.