2004 Minnesota Statutes

     84.901 Off-highway vehicle safety and conservation 
  program. 

    Subdivision 1.    Creation.  The commissioner of natural 
 resources shall establish a program to promote the safe and 
 responsible operation of off-highway vehicles in a manner that 
 does not harm the environment.  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 off-highway vehicle clubs to assist, on a volunteer 
 basis, in improving, maintaining, and monitoring of trails on 
 state forest land and other public lands. 

    Subd. 3.    Agreements.  (a) The commissioner shall 
 enter into informal agreements with off-highway vehicle clubs 
 for volunteer services to maintain, make improvements to, and 
 monitor trails on state forest land and other public lands.  The 
 off-highway vehicle clubs shall promote the operation of 
 off-highway vehicles in a safe and responsible manner that 
 complies with the laws and rules that relate to the operation of 
 off-highway vehicles. 

    (b) The off-highway vehicle clubs may provide assistance to 
 the department in locating, recruiting, and training instructors 
 for off-highway vehicle training programs. 

    (c) The commissioner may provide assistance to enhance the 
 comfort and safety of volunteers and to facilitate the 
 implementation and administration of the safety and conservation 
 program. 

    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 off-highway safety and 
 conservation 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. 

    HIST: 2003 c 128 art 1 s 27