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HF1333 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Moose license lottery and auction required, moose research account established, fees established, and money appropriated.

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes changes to the Minnesota statutes regarding moose hunting regulations. Key provisions include:

  1. Moose License Allocation:

    • The Commissioner must establish the number of moose hunting licenses issued annually.
    • Hunting parties must not exceed six persons.
    • At least four licenses must be issued each year—at least two through a lottery and at least two through a public auction.

  2. Eligibility Criteria:

    • To be eligible, applicants must be Minnesota residents.
    • Persons who received a moose license after January 1, 1991, are ineligible, except for auctioned licenses.
    • Individuals who received a moose license in the last ten years cannot enter the lottery.

  3. Application Process:

    • Applications must be submitted on a form provided by the Commissioner.
    • A $25 nonrefundable application fee applies for each type of license.
    • Applicants can only submit one application per license type per year.

  4. Separate Selection Process:

    • 20% of licenses are reserved for agricultural landowners (160+ acres) and their families.
    • Another 20% is reserved for applicants who have applied unsuccessfully at least ten times.

  5. Lottery and Auction System:

    • The Commissioner must conduct an annual lottery and auction for moose licenses.
    • Lottery winners must follow instructions for purchasing the license.
    • Auctioned licenses are available to both residents and nonresidents, with the highest bidders securing licenses.

  6. Moose Research Account:

    • A new account within the game and fish fund will collect revenue from application fees, license sales, and auctions.
    • Funds will support research on moose mortality, survival, habitat relationships, and disease monitoring.

  7. Nonresident Moose Hunting Fees:

    • A new $500 fee is established for nonresident hunters obtaining a moose license via auction.

  8. Public Announcement of Season Details:

    • The Commissioner must release details on the number of licenses, season dates, and hunting areas at least 60 days before application deadlines.

This bill aims to regulate moose hunting while supporting moose research and conservation funding.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 23, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toEnvironment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Establishes a moose research account funded through application fees, licenses, and auction revenues."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies moose license issuance and eligibility under section 97A.431.",
      "modified": [
        "Alters lottery and auction processes for distributing moose licenses.",
        "Adjusts eligibility criteria for individuals who can apply for moose licenses."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.431"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Specific fee for successful bidders obtaining a moose license under section 97A.431 subdivision 4b."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends the nonresident hunting fees under section 97A.475.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts fees and surcharges for various nonresident hunting licenses."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.475"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies regulations for moose season and restrictions under section 97B.505.",
      "modified": [
        "Mandates public availability of moose license issuance details at least 60 days before application deadlines."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97B.505"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill indirectly references the deposit of fees and surcharges under section 97A.075.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies the allocation of specific surcharge amounts to various habitat improvement accounts."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97A.075"
  }
]

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