HF413

Context

• The bill has been introduced and sent to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy for consideration.

Purpose

• To change the age at which Minnesota residents can fish without a license, by amending the licensing exemption in Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 97A.451 subdivision 8.

Main provisions

• Amend Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 97A.451 subdivision 8 to specify that residents aged 65 years or older may fish without a license.
• The change sets or clarifies a license-exemption threshold based on age for fishing activities by residents.

What this bill seeks to accomplish

• It simplifies fishing access for older residents by removing the need for a fishing license once a resident reaches a certain age (65 years or older), aligning the law with a stated age-based exemption.

Significant changes to existing law

• Replaces or updates the existing language in 97A.451 subdivision 8 to grant license-free fishing to residents 65+.
• This affects whether older residents must purchase a license to fish in Minnesota’s waters.

Notes on wording

• The draft text includes a possible typographical anomaly near the age specification (the appearance of an extra “90” alongside “65 years of age or older”). The intended reform appears to be the 65-year threshold for license exemption.

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Relevant Terms

• Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 97A.451 subdivision 8
• license exemption
• fishing without a license
• residents 65 years of age or older
• subdivision 8
• fishing (angle or take fish)
• environment and natural resources policy/committee
• natural resources (general subject)
• licensing requirements