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SF2345 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Various natural resources provisions modifications

Related bill: HF1205

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to update and modify various statutes related to natural resources in Minnesota. It seeks to refine reporting requirements, adjust regulations for offroad vehicle trail passes, manage invasive species, and enable commercial fishing for burbot on Lake Superior. Additionally, it seeks to update the public waters inventory to reflect current conditions and classifications.

Main Provisions

  • State Trail Pass for Offroad Vehicles: Modifies conditions under which a pass is required to operate offroad vehicles on state trails. Nonresidents must pay $20 for a yearly pass and $30 for a three-year pass. Residents have a separate 30-day pass costing $20. Exceptions are made for vehicles owned by government entities, operated on private property, or registered under related statutes.

  • Invasive Species Management: Provides a definition for "eviscerated" and allows for certain activities involving prohibited species, like dead and eviscerated transport, under specific conditions including permits and conservation practices. This regulation targets the control of invasive species like certain carp, facilitating safe disposal and management.

  • Burbot Commercial Fishing: Permits licensed commercial fishing operators to catch burbot and other specified fish in Lake Superior under regulated circumstances, broadening the scope of commercial fishing activities allowed.

  • Public Waters Inventory Update: Establishes a process for revising public waters maps that includes correcting errors, reclassifying wetlands, adjusting for permits and quarries, and updating based on state and federal ownership changes. Allocates $1 million annually until 2032 for updating these water inventories.

Significant Changes

  • Introduces new definitions and conditions related to the handling and transportation of invasive species.
  • Allows commercial fishing of additional fish species on Lake Superior.
  • Updates and reclassifies public waters and wetlands, requiring notice to local governmental bodies with provisions for objection processes.
  • Allocates funding for systematic updating of public water inventories, ensuring they reflect current environmental and regulatory conditions.

Relevant Terms

  • Offroad Vehicle
  • State Trail Pass
  • Invasive Species
  • Eviscerated
  • Burbot Commercial Fishing
  • Public Waters Inventory
  • Reclassification of Wetlands
  • Lake Superior

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 09, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 09, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEnvironment, Climate, and Legacy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New requirements for reporting to the legislature on the status of various state lands and waters."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill modifies certain powers and duties of the commissioner of natural resources as outlined in section 84.03.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifications made to reporting requirements and inventory maintenance."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "84.03"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifications on when a state trail pass is not required."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill modifies state trail pass requirements for offroad vehicles according to section 84.8035.",
      "modified": [
        "Amended requirements for displaying and inspecting trail passes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "84.8035"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New exceptions for possessing and transporting certain types of invasive species."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modifications to handling of prohibited invasive species under section 84D.05.",
      "modified": [
        "Specific conditions under which prohibited species may be transported and disposed of."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "84D.05"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allowance for burbot to be commercially fished."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill updates types of fish permitted for commercial fishing on Lake Superior under section 97C.835.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "97C.835"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Appropriation for updating the public water inventory."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments made to the public waters inventory process as prescribed in section 103G.201.",
      "modified": [
        "Details on how and when reclassification of wetlands occurs."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "103G.201"
  }
]

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