1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to game and fish; modifying certain 
  1.3             definitions; providing for disposition and use of 
  1.4             certain revenue; providing for special fish management 
  1.5             tags; modifying authority to take animals causing 
  1.6             damage; modifying use of scopes and laser sights by 
  1.7             visually impaired hunters; modifying certain license 
  1.8             requirements; modifying restrictions on taking 
  1.9             waterfowl and big game; authorizing rulemaking; 
  1.10            modifying requirements for field training hunting 
  1.11            dogs; modifying certain seasons; modifying trapping 
  1.12            provisions; modifying period for treeing raccoons; 
  1.13            modifying restrictions on decoys; modifying 
  1.14            disposition of state hatchery products; permitting use 
  1.15            of silencers for wildlife control; modifying fishing 
  1.16            and commercial fishing provisions; repealing authority 
  1.17            for the Mississippi River Fish Refuge; repealing 
  1.18            authority to issue certain orders; appropriating 
  1.19            money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 
  1.20            84.027, subdivision 13; 97A.015, subdivisions 29, 49; 
  1.21            97A.045, subdivision 1; 97A.071, subdivision 2; 
  1.22            97A.075; 97A.401, subdivision 5; 97A.405, subdivision 
  1.23            4, by adding a subdivision; 97A.435, subdivisions 2, 
  1.24            4; 97A.441, subdivision 7; 97A.451, subdivisions 3, 5; 
  1.25            97A.475, subdivision 7; 97A.551, by adding a 
  1.26            subdivision; 97B.005, subdivisions 1, 3; 97B.025; 
  1.27            97B.031, subdivisions 1, 5; 97B.111, subdivision 2; 
  1.28            97B.621, subdivision 2; 97B.655, subdivision 2; 
  1.29            97B.711, subdivision 1; 97B.803; 97B.805, subdivision 
  1.30            1; 97B.811, subdivisions 3, 4a; 97C.085; 97C.203; 
  1.31            97C.327; 97C.395, subdivision 1; 97C.401, subdivision 
  1.32            2; 97C.825, subdivision 5; 609.66, subdivisions 1h, 2; 
  1.33            proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
  1.34            chapters 97B; 97C; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2004, 
  1.35            sections 88.27; 97B.005, subdivision 4; 97B.935; 
  1.36            97C.015; 97C.403; 97C.825, subdivisions 6, 7, 8, 9. 
  1.37  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.38     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.027, 
  1.39  subdivision 13, is amended to read: 
  1.40     Subd. 13.  [GAME AND FISH RULES.] (a) The commissioner of 
  1.41  natural resources may adopt rules under sections 97A.0451 to 
  2.1   97A.0459 and this subdivision that are authorized under: 
  2.2      (1) chapters 97A, 97B, and 97C to set open seasons and 
  2.3   areas, to close seasons and areas, to select hunters for areas, 
  2.4   to provide for tagging and registration of game and fish, to 
  2.5   prohibit or allow taking of wild animals to protect a species, 
  2.6   to prevent or control wildlife disease, and to prohibit or allow 
  2.7   importation, transportation, or possession of a wild animal; 
  2.8      (2) sections 84.093, 84.15, and 84.152 to set seasons for 
  2.9   harvesting wild ginseng roots and wild rice and to restrict or 
  2.10  prohibit harvesting in designated areas; and 
  2.11     (3) section 84D.12 to designate prohibited invasive 
  2.12  species, regulated invasive species, unregulated nonnative 
  2.13  species, and infested waters. 
  2.14     (b) If conditions exist that do not allow the commissioner 
  2.15  to comply with sections 97A.0451 to 97A.0459, the commissioner 
  2.16  may adopt a rule under this subdivision by submitting the rule 
  2.17  to the attorney general for review under section 97A.0455, 
  2.18  publishing a notice in the State Register and filing the rule 
  2.19  with the secretary of state and the Legislative Coordinating 
  2.20  Commission, and complying with section 97A.0459, and including a 
  2.21  statement of the emergency conditions and a copy of the rule in 
  2.22  the notice.  The notice may be published after it is received 
  2.23  from the attorney general or five business days after it is 
  2.24  submitted to the attorney general, whichever is earlier. 
  2.25     (c) Rules adopted under paragraph (b) are effective upon 
  2.26  publishing in the State Register and may be effective up to 
  2.27  seven days before publishing and filing under paragraph (b), if: 
  2.28     (1) the commissioner of natural resources determines that 
  2.29  an emergency exists; 
  2.30     (2) the attorney general approves the rule; and 
  2.31     (3) for a rule that affects more than three counties the 
  2.32  commissioner publishes the rule once in a legal newspaper 
  2.33  published in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth, or for a rule 
  2.34  that affects three or fewer counties the commissioner publishes 
  2.35  the rule once in a legal newspaper in each of the affected 
  2.36  counties. 
  3.1      (d) Except as provided in paragraph (e), a rule published 
  3.2   under paragraph (c), clause (3), may not be effective earlier 
  3.3   than seven days after publication. 
  3.4      (e) A rule published under paragraph (c), clause (3), may 
  3.5   be effective the day the rule is published if the commissioner 
  3.6   gives notice and holds a public hearing on the rule within 15 
  3.7   days before publication. 
  3.8      (f) The commissioner shall attempt to notify persons or 
  3.9   groups of persons affected by rules adopted under paragraphs (b) 
  3.10  and (c) by public announcements, posting, and other appropriate 
  3.11  means as determined by the commissioner. 
  3.12     (g) Notwithstanding section 97A.0458, a rule adopted under 
  3.13  this subdivision is effective for the period stated in the 
  3.14  notice but not longer than 18 months after the rule is adopted. 
  3.15     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, 
  3.16  subdivision 29, is amended to read: 
  3.17     Subd. 29.  [MINNOWS.] "Minnows" means:  (1) members of the 
  3.18  minnow family, Cyprinidae, except carp and goldfish; (2) members 
  3.19  of the mudminnow family, Umbridae; (3) members of the sucker 
  3.20  family, Catostomidae, not over 12 inches in length; (4) 
  3.21  bullheads, ciscoes, lake whitefish, goldeyes, and mooneyes, not 
  3.22  over seven inches long; ~~and~~ (5) leeches; and (6) tadpole madtoms 
  3.23  (willow cats) and stonecats.  
  3.24     <b>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</b> This section is effective the day 
  3.25  following final enactment. 
  3.26     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.015, 
  3.27  subdivision 49, is amended to read: 
  3.28     Subd. 49.  [UNDRESSED BIRD.] "Undressed bird" means:  
  3.29     (1) a bird, excluding migratory waterfowl, pheasant, 
  3.30  Hungarian partridge, turkey, or grouse, with feet and feathered 
  3.31  head intact; 
  3.32     (2) a migratory waterfowl, excluding geese, with a fully 
  3.33  feathered wing and head attached; 
  3.34     (3) a pheasant, Hungarian partridge, turkey, or grouse with 
  3.35  one leg and foot or the fully feathered head or wing intact; or 
  3.36     (4) a goose with a fully feathered wing attached. 
  4.1      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.045, 
  4.2   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  4.3      Subdivision 1.  [DUTIES; GENERALLY.] The commissioner shall 
  4.4   do all things the commissioner determines are necessary to 
  4.5   preserve, protect, and propagate desirable species of wild 
  4.6   animals.  The commissioner shall make special provisions for the 
  4.7   management of fish and wildlife to ensure recreational 
  4.8   opportunities for anglers and hunters.  The commissioner shall 
  4.9   acquire wild animals for breeding or stocking and may dispose of 
  4.10  or destroy undesirable or predatory wild animals and their dens, 
  4.11  nests, houses, or dams.  
  4.12     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.071, 
  4.13  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  4.14     Subd. 2.  [REVENUE FROM SMALL GAME LICENSE SURCHARGE AND 
  4.15  LIFETIME LICENSES.] Revenue from the small game surcharge and 
  4.16  $6.50 annually from the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, 
  4.17  established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under 
  4.18  sections 97A.473, subdivisions 3 and 5, and 97A.474, subdivision 
  4.19  3, shall be credited to the wildlife acquisition account and the 
  4.20  money in the account ~~shall be used by~~ is annually appropriated 
  4.21  to the commissioner only for the purposes of this section, and 
  4.22  acquisition and development of wildlife lands under section 
  4.23  97A.145 and maintenance of the lands~~, in accordance with~~ 
  4.24  ~~appropriations made by the legislature~~. 
  4.25     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.075, is 
  4.26  amended to read: 
  4.27     97A.075 [USE OF LICENSE REVENUES.] 
  4.28     Subdivision 1.  [DEER, BEAR, AND LIFETIME LICENSES.] (a) 
  4.29  For purposes of this subdivision, "deer license" means a license 
  4.30  issued under section 97A.475, subdivisions 2, clauses (4), (5), 
  4.31  (9), (11), (13), and (14), and 3, clauses (2), (3), and (7), and 
  4.32  licenses issued under section 97B.301, subdivision 4.  
  4.33     (b) ~~At least~~ $2 from each annual deer license and $2 
  4.34  annually from the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, 
  4.35  established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under 
  4.36  section 97A.473, subdivision 4, ~~shall be used~~ is annually 
  5.1   appropriated to the commissioner for deer habitat improvement or 
  5.2   deer management programs.  
  5.3      (c) ~~At least~~ $1 from each annual deer license and each bear 
  5.4   license and $1 annually from the lifetime fish and wildlife 
  5.5   trust fund, established in section 97A.4742, for each license 
  5.6   issued under section 97A.473, subdivision 4, ~~shall be used~~ is 
  5.7   annually appropriated to the commissioner for deer and bear 
  5.8   management programs, including a computerized licensing system.  
  5.9   Fifty cents from each deer license is appropriated for emergency 
  5.10  deer feeding and wild cervidae health management.  Money 
  5.11  appropriated for emergency deer feeding and wild cervidae health 
  5.12  management is available until expended.  When the unencumbered 
  5.13  balance in the appropriation for emergency deer feeding and wild 
  5.14  cervidae health management at the end of a fiscal year exceeds 
  5.15  $2,500,000 for the first time, $750,000 is canceled to the 
  5.16  unappropriated balance of the game and fish fund.  The 
  5.17  commissioner must inform the legislative chairs of the natural 
  5.18  resources finance committees every two years on how the money 
  5.19  for emergency deer feeding and wild cervidae health management 
  5.20  has been spent. 
  5.21     Thereafter, when the unencumbered balance in the 
  5.22  appropriation for emergency deer feeding and wild cervidae 
  5.23  health management exceeds $2,500,000 at the end of a fiscal 
  5.24  year, the unencumbered balance in excess of $2,500,000 is 
  5.25  canceled and available for deer and bear management programs and 
  5.26  computerized licensing. 
  5.27     Subd. 2.  [MINNESOTA MIGRATORY WATERFOWL STAMP.] (a) Ninety 
  5.28  percent of the revenue from the Minnesota migratory waterfowl 
  5.29  stamps must be credited to the waterfowl habitat improvement 
  5.30  account.  Money in the account ~~may be used~~ is annually 
  5.31  appropriated to the commissioner only for: 
  5.32     (1) development of wetlands and lakes in the state and 
  5.33  designated waterfowl management lakes for maximum migratory 
  5.34  waterfowl production including habitat evaluation, the 
  5.35  construction of dikes, water control structures and 
  5.36  impoundments, nest cover, rough fish barriers, acquisition of 
  6.1   sites and facilities necessary for development and management of 
  6.2   existing migratory waterfowl habitat and the designation of 
  6.3   waters under section 97A.101; 
  6.4      (2) management of migratory waterfowl; 
  6.5      (3) development, restoration, maintenance, or preservation 
  6.6   of migratory waterfowl habitat; 
  6.7      (4) acquisition of and access to structure sites; and 
  6.8      (5) the promotion of waterfowl habitat development and 
  6.9   maintenance, including promotion and evaluation of government 
  6.10  farm program benefits for waterfowl habitat.  
  6.11     (b) Money in the account may not be used for costs unless 
  6.12  they are directly related to a specific parcel of land or body 
  6.13  of water under paragraph (a), clause (1), (3), (4), or (5), or 
  6.14  to specific management activities under paragraph (a), clause 
  6.15  (2). 
  6.16     Subd. 3.  [TROUT AND SALMON STAMP.] (a) Ninety percent of 
  6.17  the revenue from trout and salmon stamps must be credited to the 
  6.18  trout and salmon management account.  Money in the account ~~may~~ 
  6.19  ~~be used~~ is annually appropriated to the commissioner only for: 
  6.20     (1) the development, restoration, maintenance, improvement, 
  6.21  protection, and preservation of habitat for trout and salmon in 
  6.22  trout streams and lakes, including, but not limited to, 
  6.23  evaluating habitat; stabilizing eroding stream banks; adding 
  6.24  fish cover; modifying stream channels; managing vegetation to 
  6.25  protect, shade, or reduce runoff on stream banks; and purchasing 
  6.26  equipment to accomplish these tasks; 
  6.27     (2) rearing ~~of~~ trout and salmon ~~and~~, including utility and 
  6.28  service costs associated with coldwater hatchery buildings and 
  6.29  systems; stocking ~~of~~ trout and salmon in streams and lakes and 
  6.30  Lake Superior; and monitoring and evaluating stocked trout and 
  6.31  salmon; 
  6.32     (3) acquisition of easements and fee title along trout 
  6.33  waters; 
  6.34     (4) identifying easement and fee title areas along trout 
  6.35  waters; and 
  6.36     (5) research and special management projects on trout 
  7.1   streams, trout lakes, and Lake Superior and ~~the anadromous~~ 
  7.2   portions of its tributaries.  
  7.3      (b) Money in the account may not be used for costs unless 
  7.4   they are directly related to a specific parcel of land or body 
  7.5   of water under paragraph (a) ~~or~~, to specific fish rearing 
  7.6   activities under paragraph (a), clause (2), or for costs 
  7.7   associated with supplies and equipment to implement trout and 
  7.8   salmon management activities under paragraph (a). 
  7.9      Subd. 4.  [PHEASANT STAMP.] (a) Ninety percent of the 
  7.10  revenue from pheasant stamps must be credited to the pheasant 
  7.11  habitat improvement account.  Money in the account ~~may be used~~ 
  7.12  is annually appropriated to the commissioner only for:  
  7.13     (1) the development, restoration, and maintenance of 
  7.14  suitable habitat for ringnecked pheasants on public and private 
  7.15  land including the establishment of nesting cover, winter cover, 
  7.16  and reliable food sources; 
  7.17     (2) reimbursement of landowners for setting aside lands for 
  7.18  pheasant habitat; 
  7.19     (3) reimbursement of expenditures to provide pheasant 
  7.20  habitat on public and private land; 
  7.21     (4) the promotion of pheasant habitat development and 
  7.22  maintenance, including promotion and evaluation of government 
  7.23  farm program benefits for pheasant habitat; and 
  7.24     (5) the acquisition of lands suitable for pheasant habitat 
  7.25  management and public hunting.  
  7.26     (b) Money in the account may not be used for: 
  7.27     (1) costs unless they are directly related to a specific 
  7.28  parcel of land under paragraph (a), clause (1), (3), or (5), or 
  7.29  to specific promotional or evaluative activities under paragraph 
  7.30  (a), clause (4); or 
  7.31     (2) any personnel costs, except that prior to July 1, 2009, 
  7.32  personnel may be hired to provide technical and promotional 
  7.33  assistance for private landowners to implement conservation 
  7.34  provisions of state and federal programs. 
  7.35     Subd. 5.  [TURKEY STAMPS.] (a) Ninety percent of the 
  7.36  revenue from turkey stamps must be credited to the wild turkey 
  8.1   management account.  Money in the account ~~may be used~~ is 
  8.2   annually appropriated to the commissioner only for: 
  8.3      (1) the development, restoration, and maintenance of 
  8.4   suitable habitat for wild turkeys on public and private land 
  8.5   including forest stand improvement and establishment of nesting 
  8.6   cover, winter roost area, and reliable food sources; 
  8.7      (2) acquisitions of, or easements on, critical wild turkey 
  8.8   habitat; 
  8.9      (3) reimbursement of expenditures to provide wild turkey 
  8.10  habitat on public and private land; 
  8.11     (4) trapping and transplantation of wild turkeys; and 
  8.12     (5) the promotion of turkey habitat development and 
  8.13  maintenance, population surveys and monitoring, and research. 
  8.14     (b) Money in the account may not be used for: 
  8.15     (1) costs unless they are directly related to a specific 
  8.16  parcel of land under paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3), a 
  8.17  specific trap and transplant project under paragraph (a), clause 
  8.18  (4), or to specific promotional or evaluative activities under 
  8.19  paragraph (a), clause (5); or 
  8.20     (2) any permanent personnel costs. 
  8.21     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.401, 
  8.22  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
  8.23     Subd. 5.  [WILD ANIMALS DAMAGING PROPERTY.] Special permits 
  8.24  may be issued with or without a fee to take protected wild 
  8.25  animals that are damaging property or to remove or destroy their 
  8.26  dens, nests, houses, or dams.  A special permit issued under 
  8.27  this subdivision to take beaver must state the number to be 
  8.28  taken.  
  8.29     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.405, 
  8.30  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  8.31     Subd. 4.  [REPLACEMENT LICENSES.] (a) The commissioner may 
  8.32  permit licensed ~~firearms~~ deer hunters to change zone, license, 
  8.33  or season options ~~before the regular firearms deer season~~ 
  8.34  ~~begins~~.  The commissioner may issue a replacement license if the 
  8.35  applicant submits the original ~~firearms~~ deer license and unused 
  8.36  tags that ~~is~~ are being replaced and the applicant pays any 
  9.1   increase in cost between the original and the replacement 
  9.2   license.  When a person submits both an archery and a firearms 
  9.3   license for replacement, the commissioner may apply the value of 
  9.4   both licenses towards the replacement license fee.  
  9.5      (b) A replacement license may be issued only if the 
  9.6   applicant has not used any tag from the original license and 
  9.7   meets the conditions of paragraph (c).  The original license and 
  9.8   all unused tags for that license must be submitted to the 
  9.9   issuing agent at the time the replacement license is issued. 
  9.10     (c) A replacement license may be issued under the following 
  9.11  conditions, or as otherwise prescribed by rule of the 
  9.12  commissioner: 
  9.13     (1) when the season for the license being surrendered has 
  9.14  not yet opened; or 
  9.15     (2) when the person is upgrading from a regular firearms or 
  9.16  archery deer license to a deer license that is valid in multiple 
  9.17  zones. 
  9.18     (d) Notwithstanding section 97A.411, subdivision 3, a 
  9.19  replacement license is valid immediately upon issuance if the 
  9.20  license being surrendered is valid at that time. 
  9.21     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.405, is 
  9.22  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  9.23     Subd. 5.  [RESIDENT LICENSES.] To obtain a resident 
  9.24  license, a resident 21 years of age or older must: 
  9.25     (1) possess a current Minnesota driver's license; 
  9.26     (2) possess a current identification card issued by the 
  9.27  commissioner of public safety; or 
  9.28     (3) present evidence showing proof of residency in cases 
  9.29  when clause (1) or (2) would violate the Religious Freedom 
  9.30  Restoration Act of 1993, Public Law 103-141.  
  9.31     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.435, 
  9.32  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  9.33     Subd. 2.  [ELIGIBILITY.] Persons eligible for a turkey 
  9.34  license shall be determined by this section and commissioner's 
  9.35  rule.  A person is eligible for a turkey license only if the 
  9.36  person is at least age 16 before the season opens ~~or~~, possesses 
 10.1   a firearms safety certificate, or, if under age 12, is 
 10.2   accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Persons under age 12 must 
 10.3   be within arm's reach of their parent or guardian while hunting. 
 10.4      Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.435, 
 10.5   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 10.6      Subd. 4.  [SEPARATE SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE LICENSEES.] (a) 
 10.7   The commissioner may conduct a separate selection for up to 20 
 10.8   percent of the turkey licenses to be issued for any area.  Only 
 10.9   persons who are owners or tenants of and who live on at least 40 
 10.10  acres of land in the area, and their family members, are 
 10.11  eligible applicants for turkey licenses for the separate 
 10.12  selection.  The qualifying land may be noncontiguous.  Persons 
 10.13  who are unsuccessful in a separate selection must be included in 
 10.14  the selection for the remaining licenses.  Persons who obtain a 
 10.15  license in a separate selection must allow public turkey hunting 
 10.16  on their land during that turkey season.  A license issued under 
 10.17  this subdivision is restricted to ~~the land owned or leased by~~ 
 10.18  ~~the holder of the license within~~ the permit area where the 
 10.19  qualifying land is located. 
 10.20     (b) The commissioner may by rule establish criteria for 
 10.21  determining eligible family members under this subdivision. 
 10.22     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.441, 
 10.23  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 10.24     Subd. 7.  [OWNERS OR TENANTS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.] (a) The 
 10.25  commissioner may issue, without a fee, a license to take an 
 10.26  antlerless deer to a person who is an owner or tenant and is 
 10.27  living and actively farming on at least 80 acres of agricultural 
 10.28  land, as defined in section 97B.001, in deer permit areas that 
 10.29  have deer archery licenses to take additional deer under section 
 10.30  97B.301, subdivision 4.  A person may receive only one license 
 10.31  per year under this subdivision.  For properties with co-owners 
 10.32  or cotenants, only one co-owner or cotenant may receive a 
 10.33  license under this subdivision per year.  The license issued 
 10.34  under this subdivision is restricted to ~~the~~ land ~~owned or~~ leased 
 10.35  for agricultural purposes or owned by the holder of the license 
 10.36  within the permit area where the qualifying land is located.  
 11.1   The holder of the license may transfer the license to the 
 11.2   holder's spouse or dependent.  Notwithstanding sections 97A.415, 
 11.3   subdivision 1, and 97B.301, subdivision 2, the holder of the 
 11.4   license may purchase an additional license for taking deer and 
 11.5   may take an additional deer under that license. 
 11.6      (b) A person who obtains a license under paragraph (a) must 
 11.7   allow public deer hunting on their land during that deer hunting 
 11.8   season, with the exception of the first Saturday and Sunday 
 11.9   during the deer hunting season applicable to the license issued 
 11.10  under section 97A.475, subdivision 2, clauses (4) and (13). 
 11.11     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.451, 
 11.12  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 11.13     Subd. 3.  [RESIDENTS UNDER AGE 16; SMALL GAME.] (a) A 
 11.14  resident under age 16 may not obtain a small game license but 
 11.15  may take small game by firearms or bow and arrow without a 
 11.16  license if the resident is: 
 11.17     (1) age 14 or 15 and possesses a firearms safety 
 11.18  certificate; 
 11.19     (2) age 13, possesses a firearms safety certificate, and is 
 11.20  accompanied by a parent or guardian; or 
 11.21     (3) age 12 or under and is accompanied by a parent or 
 11.22  guardian.  
 11.23     (b) A resident under age 16 may take small game by trapping 
 11.24  without a small game license, but a resident 13 years of age or 
 11.25  older must have a trapping license.  A resident under age 13 may 
 11.26  trap without a trapping license, but may not trap fisher, otter, 
 11.27  bobcat, or pine marten unless the resident is at least age 8.  
 11.28     (c) A resident under age 12 may apply for a turkey license 
 11.29  and may take a turkey without a firearms safety certificate if 
 11.30  they are supervised by an adult parent or guardian who has a 
 11.31  firearms safety certificate and who is within arm's reach at all 
 11.32  times while hunting. 
 11.33     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.451, 
 11.34  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 11.35     Subd. 5.  [NONRESIDENTS UNDER AGE 16.] (a) A nonresident 
 11.36  under the age of 16 may take fish by angling without a license 
 12.1   if accompanied by a parent or guardian who has a fishing license.
 12.2   ~~Fish taken by a nonresident under the age of 16 without a~~ 
 12.3   ~~license must be included in the limit of the parent or guardian.~~ 
 12.4      (b) A nonresident under age 16 may purchase a nonresident 
 12.5   fishing license, take fish by angling, and possess a limit of 
 12.6   fish.  
 12.7      <b>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</b> This section is effective March 1, 2006. 
 12.8      Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.475, 
 12.9   subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 12.10     Subd. 7.  [NONRESIDENT FISHING.] Fees for the following 
 12.11  licenses, to be issued to nonresidents, are: 
 12.12     (1) to take fish by angling, $34; 
 12.13     (2) to take fish by angling limited to seven consecutive 
 12.14  days selected by the licensee, $24; 
 12.15     (3) to take fish by angling for a 72-hour period selected 
 12.16  by the licensee, $20; 
 12.17     (4) to take fish by angling for a combined license for a 
 12.18  ~~family~~ married couple, $46; 
 12.19     (5) to take fish by angling for a 24-hour period selected 
 12.20  by the licensee, $8.50; and 
 12.21     (6) to take fish by angling for a combined license for a 
 12.22  married couple, limited to 14 consecutive days selected by one 
 12.23  of the licensees, $35. 
 12.24     <b>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</b> This section is effective March 1, 2006. 
 12.25     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97A.551, is 
 12.26  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 12.27     Subd. 6.  [TAGGING AND REGISTRATION.] The commissioner may, 
 12.28  by rule, require persons taking, possessing, and transporting 
 12.29  certain species of fish to tag the fish with a special fish 
 12.30  management tag and may require registration of tagged fish.  A 
 12.31  person may not possess or transport a fish species taken in the 
 12.32  state for which a special fish management tag is required unless 
 12.33  a tag is attached to the fish in a manner prescribed by the 
 12.34  commissioner.  The commissioner shall prescribe the manner of 
 12.35  issuance and the type of tag as authorized under section 
 12.36  97C.087.  The tag must be attached to the fish as prescribed by 
 13.1   the commissioner immediately upon reducing the fish to 
 13.2   possession and must remain attached to the fish until the fish 
 13.3   is processed or consumed.  Species for which a special fish 
 13.4   management tag is required must be transported undressed. 
 13.5      Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.005, 
 13.6   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 13.7      Subdivision 1.  [FIELD TRAINING~~; PERMIT REQUIRED FOR~~ 
 13.8   ~~CERTAIN PERIOD~~.] A person may not train hunting dogs afield on 
 13.9   public lands from April 16 to July 14 ~~except by special permit.~~  
 13.10  ~~The commissioner may issue a special permit, without a fee, to~~ 
 13.11  ~~train hunting dogs afield on land owned by the trainer or on~~ 
 13.12  ~~land that the owner provides written permission.  The written~~ 
 13.13  ~~permission must be carried in personal possession of the trainer~~ 
 13.14  ~~while training the dogs~~.  
 13.15     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.005, 
 13.16  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 13.17     Subd. 3.  [PERMITS FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO USE 
 13.18  GAME BIRDS AND FIREARMS.] (a) The commissioner may issue special 
 13.19  permits, without a fee, ~~to organizations and individuals~~ to use 
 13.20  firearms and live ammunition on domesticated birds or banded 
 13.21  game birds from game farms.  
 13.22     (b) Permits for holding field trials ~~and~~ may be issued to 
 13.23  organizations.  The permit shall specify the dates and locations 
 13.24  of the field trial.  The commissioner may limit the number of 
 13.25  dates approved for any organization. 
 13.26     (c) Permits for training hunting dogs may be issued to an 
 13.27  individual. 
 13.28     (d) Domesticated birds, other than pigeons, and game farm 
 13.29  birds used for trials or training under this section must be 
 13.30  clearly marked with dye or a streamer attached to a leg in a 
 13.31  manner that makes them visually identifiable prior to being 
 13.32  taken.  
 13.33     Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.025, is 
 13.34  amended to read: 
 13.35     97B.025 [HUNTER AND TRAPPER EDUCATION.] 
 13.36     (a) The commissioner may establish education courses for 
 14.1   hunters ~~and trappers~~.  The commissioner shall collect a fee from 
 14.2   each person attending a course.  A fee shall be collected for 
 14.3   issuing a duplicate certificate.  The commissioner shall 
 14.4   establish the fees in a manner that neither significantly 
 14.5   overrecovers nor underrecovers costs, including overhead costs, 
 14.6   involved in providing the services.  The fees are not subject to 
 14.7   the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does 
 14.8   not apply.  The commissioner may establish the fees 
 14.9   notwithstanding section 16A.1283.  The fees shall be deposited 
 14.10  in the game and fish fund and the amount thereof is appropriated 
 14.11  annually to the Enforcement Division of the Department of 
 14.12  Natural Resources for the administration of the program.  In 
 14.13  addition to the fee established by the commissioner for each 
 14.14  course, instructors may charge each person up to the established 
 14.15  fee amount for class materials and expenses.  School districts 
 14.16  may cooperate with the commissioner and volunteer instructors to 
 14.17  provide space for the classroom portion of the training. 
 14.18     (b) The commissioner shall enter into an agreement with a 
 14.19  statewide nonprofit trappers association to conduct a trapper 
 14.20  education program.  At a minimum, the program must include at 
 14.21  least six hours of classroom and in the field training.  The 
 14.22  program must include a review of state trapping laws and 
 14.23  regulations, trapping ethics, the setting and tending of traps 
 14.24  and snares, tagging and registration requirements, and the 
 14.25  preparation of pelts.  The association shall issue a certificate 
 14.26  to persons who complete the program.  The association shall be 
 14.27  responsible for all costs of conducting the education program, 
 14.28  and shall not charge any fee for attending the course. 
 14.29     Sec. 20.  [97B.026] [TRAPPER EDUCATION CERTIFICATE 
 14.30  REQUIREMENT.] 
 14.31     Beginning March 1, 2006, a person who has not been issued a 
 14.32  trapping license in a previous license year may not obtain a 
 14.33  trapping license unless the person has been issued a trapper 
 14.34  education certificate under section 97B.025, paragraph (b). 
 14.35     Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.031, 
 14.36  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 15.1      Subdivision 1.  [FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION THAT MAY BE USED 
 15.2   TO TAKE BIG GAME.] (a) A person may take big game with a firearm 
 15.3   only if:  
 15.4      (1) the rifle, shotgun, and handgun used is a caliber of at 
 15.5   least .23 inches; 
 15.6      (2) the firearm is loaded only with single projectile 
 15.7   ammunition; 
 15.8      (3) a projectile used is a caliber of at least .23 inches 
 15.9   and has a soft point or is an expanding bullet type; 
 15.10     (4) the ammunition has a case length of at least 1.285 
 15.11  inches; 
 15.12     (5) the muzzle-loader used is incapable of being loaded at 
 15.13  the breech; 
 15.14     (6) the smooth-bore muzzle-loader used is a caliber of at 
 15.15  least .45 inches; and 
 15.16     (7) the rifled muzzle-loader used is a caliber of at least 
 15.17  .40 inches. 
 15.18     (b) ~~A person may not take big game with a .30 caliber M-1~~ 
 15.19  ~~carbine cartridge.~~  
 15.20     ~~(c)~~ Notwithstanding paragraph (a), clause (4), a person may 
 15.21  take big game with a ten millimeter cartridge that is at least 
 15.22  0.95 inches in length, a .45 Winchester Magnum cartridge, or a 
 15.23  .50 A. E. (Action Express) handgun cartridge. 
 15.24     Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.031, 
 15.25  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 15.26     Subd. 5.  [SCOPES; VISUALLY IMPAIRED HUNTERS.] (a) 
 15.27  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commissioner 
 15.28  may issue a special permit, without a fee, to use a muzzleloader 
 15.29  with a scope to take deer during the muzzleloader season to a 
 15.30  person who obtains the required licenses and who has a visual 
 15.31  impairment.  The scope may not have magnification capabilities. 
 15.32     (b) The visual impairment must be such that the applicant 
 15.33  is unable to identify targets and the rifle sights at the same 
 15.34  time without a scope.  The visual impairment and specific 
 15.35  conditions must be established by medical evidence verified in 
 15.36  writing by a licensed physician, ophthalmologist, or 
 16.1   optometrist.  The commissioner may request additional 
 16.2   information from the physician if needed to verify the 
 16.3   applicant's eligibility for the permit.  ~~Notwithstanding section~~ 
 16.4   ~~97A.418, the commissioner may, in consultation with appropriate~~ 
 16.5   ~~advocacy groups, establish reasonable minimum standards for~~ 
 16.6   ~~permits to be issued under this subdivision.~~ 
 16.7      (c) A permit issued under this subdivision may be valid for 
 16.8   up to five years, based on the permanence of the visual 
 16.9   impairment as determined by the licensed physician, 
 16.10  ophthalmologist, or optometrist.  
 16.11     (d) The permit must be in the immediate possession of the 
 16.12  permittee when hunting under the special permit. 
 16.13     (e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a 
 16.14  permit issued under this subdivision for cause, including a 
 16.15  violation of the game and fish laws or rules.  
 16.16     ~~(e)~~ (f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or 
 16.17  assists another in making a false application for a permit under 
 16.18  this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.  A physician, 
 16.19  ophthalmologist, or optometrist who fraudulently certifies to 
 16.20  the commissioner that a person is visually impaired as described 
 16.21  in this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor. 
 16.22     Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.111, 
 16.23  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 16.24     Subd. 2.  [PERMIT FOR ORGANIZATION.] (a) The commissioner 
 16.25  may issue a special permit without a fee to a nonprofit 
 16.26  organization to provide an assisted hunting opportunity to 
 16.27  physically disabled hunters.  The assisted hunting opportunity 
 16.28  may take place: 
 16.29     (1) in areas designated by the commissioner under 
 16.30  subdivision 1; or 
 16.31     (2) on private property or a licensed shooting preserve. 
 16.32     (b) The sponsoring organization shall provide a physically 
 16.33  capable person to assist each disabled hunter with 
 16.34  safety-related aspects of hunting and, notwithstanding section 
 16.35  97B.081, a person with a physical disability who is totally 
 16.36  blind may use laser sights. 
 17.1      (c) The commissioner may impose reasonable permit 
 17.2   conditions. 
 17.3      Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.621, 
 17.4   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 17.5      Subd. 2.  [PERIOD FOR TREEING RACCOONS.] Notwithstanding 
 17.6   subdivision 1 and section 97B.005, subdivision 1, a person may 
 17.7   use dogs to pursue and tree raccoons without killing or 
 17.8   capturing the raccoons~~:~~  
 17.9      ~~(1) from January 1 to April 15 and from July 15 to October~~ 
 17.10  ~~14; and~~ 
 17.11     ~~(2) from April 16 to July 14 in raccoon dog field trials~~ 
 17.12  ~~under special permit issued by the commissioner under section~~ 
 17.13  ~~97B.005, subdivision 1~~ during the closed season and a license is 
 17.14  not required. 
 17.15     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.655, 
 17.16  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 17.17     Subd. 2.  [SPECIAL PERMIT FOR TAKING PROTECTED WILD 
 17.18  ANIMALS.] The commissioner may issue special permits under 
 17.19  section 97A.401, subdivision 5, to take protected wild animals 
 17.20  that are damaging property or to remove or destroy their dens, 
 17.21  nests, houses, or dams.  
 17.22     Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.711, 
 17.23  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 17.24     Subdivision 1.  [SEASONS FOR CERTAIN UPLAND GAME BIRDS.] 
 17.25  (a) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe an open season in 
 17.26  designated areas between September 16 and December 31 for: 
 17.27     (1) ~~pheasant;~~ 
 17.28     ~~(2)~~ ruffed grouse; 
 17.29     ~~(3)~~ (2) sharp tailed grouse; 
 17.30     ~~(4)~~ (3) Canada spruce grouse; 
 17.31     ~~(5)~~ (4) prairie chicken; 
 17.32     ~~(6)~~ (5) gray partridge; 
 17.33     ~~(7)~~ (6) bob-white quail; and 
 17.34     ~~(8)~~ (7) turkey. 
 17.35     (b) The commissioner may by rule prescribe an open season 
 17.36  for turkey in the spring.  
 18.1      (c) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe an open season 
 18.2   for pheasant in designated areas between September 16 and 
 18.3   January 3. 
 18.4      Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.803, is 
 18.5   amended to read: 
 18.6      97B.803 [MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SEASONS AND LIMITS.] 
 18.7      (a) The commissioner shall prescribe seasons, limits, and 
 18.8   areas for taking migratory waterfowl in accordance with federal 
 18.9   law. 
 18.10     (b) The migratory waterfowl season may not open before the 
 18.11  Saturday closest to October 1. 
 18.12     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.805, 
 18.13  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 18.14     Subdivision 1.  [HUNTER MUST BE CONCEALED.] (a) A person 
 18.15  may not take migratory waterfowl, coots, or rails in open water 
 18.16  unless the person is:  
 18.17     (1) within a natural growth of vegetation sufficient to 
 18.18  partially conceal the person or boat; ~~or~~ 
 18.19     (2) on a river or stream that is not more than 100 yards in 
 18.20  width; or 
 18.21     (3) pursuing or shooting wounded birds.  
 18.22     (b) A person may not take migratory waterfowl, coots, or 
 18.23  rails in public waters from a permanent artificial blind or sink 
 18.24  box.  
 18.25     Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.811, 
 18.26  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 18.27     Subd. 3.  [RESTRICTIONS ON LEAVING DECOYS 
 18.28  ~~OVERNIGHT~~ UNATTENDED.] During the open season for waterfowl, a 
 18.29  person may not leave decoys in public waters between sunset and 
 18.30  one hour before lawful shooting hours or leave decoys unattended 
 18.31  during other times for more than two consecutive hours unless:  
 18.32     (1) the decoys are in waters adjacent to private land under 
 18.33  the control of the hunter; and 
 18.34     (2) there is not natural vegetation growing in water 
 18.35  sufficient to partially conceal a hunter.  
 18.36     Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.811, 
 19.1   subdivision 4a, is amended to read: 
 19.2      Subd. 4a.  [RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN MOTORIZED DECOYS.] From 
 19.3   the opening day of the duck season through the Saturday nearest 
 19.4   October 8, a person may not use a motorized decoy ~~on public~~ 
 19.5   ~~waters with visible, moving parts that are above the water~~ 
 19.6   ~~surface~~, or other motorized device designed to attract migratory 
 19.7   birds, to take migratory waterfowl~~, other than geese~~.  During 
 19.8   the remainder of the duck season, the commissioner may, by rule, 
 19.9   designate all or any portion of a wetland or lake closed to the 
 19.10  use of motorized decoys or motorized devices designed to attract 
 19.11  migratory birds.  On water bodies and lands fully contained 
 19.12  within wildlife management area boundaries, a person may not use 
 19.13  motorized decoys or motorized devices designed to attract 
 19.14  migratory birds at any time during the duck season. 
 19.15     Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.085, is 
 19.16  amended to read: 
 19.17     97C.085 [PERMIT REQUIRED FOR TAGGING FISH.] 
 19.18     A person may not tag or otherwise mark a live fish for 
 19.19  identification without a permit from the commissioner, except 
 19.20  for special fish management tags as authorized under section 
 19.21  97A.551. 
 19.22     Sec. 32.  [97C.087] [SPECIAL FISH MANAGEMENT TAGS.] 
 19.23     Subdivision 1.  [TAGS TO BE ISSUED.] If the commissioner 
 19.24  determines it is necessary to require that a species of fish be 
 19.25  tagged with a special fish management tag, the commissioner 
 19.26  shall prescribe, by rule, the species to be tagged, tagging 
 19.27  procedures, and eligibility requirements. 
 19.28     Subd. 2.  [APPLICATION FOR TAG.] Application for special 
 19.29  fish management tags must be accompanied by a $5, nonrefundable 
 19.30  application fee for each tag.  A person may not make more than 
 19.31  one tag application each year.  If a person makes more than one 
 19.32  application, the person is ineligible for a special fish 
 19.33  management tag for that season after determination by the 
 19.34  commissioner, without a hearing. 
 19.35     Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.203, is 
 19.36  amended to read: 
 20.1      97C.203 [DISPOSAL OF STATE HATCHERY ~~EGGS OR FRY~~ PRODUCTS.] 
 20.2      The commissioner shall dispose of ~~game fish eggs and fry~~ 
 20.3   fish hatchery products according to the following order of 
 20.4   priorities:  
 20.5      (1) distribution of fish eggs and fry to state hatcheries 
 20.6   to hatch fry or raise fingerlings for stocking waters of the 
 20.7   state for recreational fishing; 
 20.8      (2) transfer to other government agencies in exchange for 
 20.9   fish or wildlife resources of equal value or private fish 
 20.10  hatcheries in exchange for fish to be stocked in waters of the 
 20.11  state for recreational fishing; 
 20.12     (3) sale ~~of fish eggs and fry~~ to private fish hatcheries or 
 20.13  licensed aquatic farms at a price not less than the fair 
 20.14  wholesale market value, established as the average price charged 
 20.15  at the state's private hatcheries and contiguous states per 
 20.16  volume rates; ~~and~~ 
 20.17     (4) transfer to other government agencies, colleges, or 
 20.18  universities for cooperative fish management and research 
 20.19  purposes; and 
 20.20     (5) sale of not more than $25 fair market value to any 
 20.21  school, museum, or commercial enterprise for curriculum 
 20.22  implementation, educational programs, public exhibition, or 
 20.23  cooperative displays. 
 20.24     <b>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</b> This section is effective the day 
 20.25  following final enactment. 
 20.26     Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.327, is 
 20.27  amended to read: 
 20.28     97C.327 [MEASUREMENT OF FISH LENGTH.] 
 20.29     For the purpose of determining compliance with size limits 
 20.30  for fish in this chapter or in rules of the commissioner, the 
 20.31  length of a fish must be measured from the tip of the nose or 
 20.32  jaw, whichever is longer, to the farthest tip of the tail when 
 20.33  fully extended. 
 20.34     Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.395, 
 20.35  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 20.36     Subdivision 1.  [DATES FOR CERTAIN SPECIES.] (a) The open 
 21.1   seasons to take fish by angling are as follows: 
 21.2      (1) for walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, 
 21.3   largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass, the Saturday two weeks 
 21.4   prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to the ~~third~~ last 
 21.5   Sunday in February; 
 21.6      (2) for lake trout, from January 1 to October 31; 
 21.7      (3) for brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and 
 21.8   splake, between January 1 to October 31 as prescribed by the 
 21.9   commissioner by rule except as provided in section 97C.415, 
 21.10  subdivision 2; and 
 21.11     (4) for salmon, as prescribed by the commissioner by rule. 
 21.12     (b) The commissioner shall close the season in areas of the 
 21.13  state where fish are spawning and closing the season will 
 21.14  protect the resource. 
 21.15     Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.401, 
 21.16  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 21.17     Subd. 2.  [WALLEYE; NORTHERN PIKE.] (a) Except as provided 
 21.18  in ~~paragraphs~~ paragraph (b) ~~and (c)~~, a person may take no more 
 21.19  than one walleye larger than ~~24~~ 20 inches and one northern pike 
 21.20  larger than 30 inches daily.  
 21.21     (b) The restrictions in paragraph (a) do not apply to 
 21.22  boundary waters. 
 21.23     ~~(c) On Lake of the Woods, a person may take no more than~~ 
 21.24  ~~one walleye larger than 19.5 inches and one northern pike larger~~ 
 21.25  ~~than 36 inches daily.~~ 
 21.26     <b>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</b> This section is effective March 1, 2006. 
 21.27     Sec. 37.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97C.825, 
 21.28  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 21.29     Subd. 5.  [NET LIMITS FOR LAKE OF THE WOODS AND RAINY 
 21.30  LAKE.] (a) The maximum amount of nets permitted to be licensed 
 21.31  shall be: 
 21.32     ~~(a)~~ (1) in Lake of the Woods, 50-pound nets, ~~80,000 feet of~~ 
 21.33  ~~gill nets or~~ 160 submerged trap nets, and 80 fyke or staked trap 
 21.34  nets~~.  Licenses for submerged trap nets may be issued instead of~~ 
 21.35  ~~licenses for gill nets in the ratio of not more than one~~ 
 21.36  ~~submerged trap net per 500 feet of gill net, and the maximum~~ 
 22.1   ~~permissible amount of gill nets shall be reduced by 500 feet for~~ 
 22.2   ~~each submerged trap net licensed.~~; and 
 22.3      ~~(b)~~ (2) in Rainy Lake, 20-pound nets ~~and 20,000 feet of~~ 
 22.4   ~~gill nets~~. 
 22.5      ~~(c) When a licensee has had a license revoked or~~ 
 22.6   ~~surrendered, the commissioner shall not be required to issue~~ 
 22.7   ~~licenses for the amount of netting previously authorized under~~ 
 22.8   ~~the revoked or surrendered license.~~ 
 22.9      ~~(d)~~ (b) Commercial fishing may be prohibited in the 
 22.10  Minnesota portions of international waters when it is prohibited 
 22.11  in the international waters by Canadian authorities. 
 22.12     ~~(e) The commissioner may adopt rules to limit the total~~ 
 22.13  ~~amount of game fish taken by commercial fishing operators in~~ 
 22.14  ~~Lake of the Woods in any one season and shall apportion the~~ 
 22.15  ~~amount to each licensee in accordance with the number and length~~ 
 22.16  ~~of nets licensed.~~  
 22.17     Sec. 38.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 609.66, 
 22.18  subdivision 1h, is amended to read: 
 22.19     Subd. 1h.  [SILENCERS; AUTHORIZED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND 
 22.20  NATURAL RESOURCE WILDLIFE CONTROL PURPOSES.] Notwithstanding 
 22.21  subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), clause (1), licensed peace 
 22.22  officers may use devices designed to silence or muffle the 
 22.23  discharge of a firearm for wildlife control operations under 
 22.24  subdivision 2 or for tactical emergency response operations.  
 22.25  Tactical emergency response operations include execution of high 
 22.26  risk search and arrest warrants, incidents of terrorism, hostage 
 22.27  rescue, and any other tactical deployments involving high risk 
 22.28  circumstances.  The chief law enforcement officer of a law 
 22.29  enforcement agency that has the need to use silencing devices 
 22.30  must establish and enforce a written policy governing the use of 
 22.31  the devices. 
 22.32     Sec. 39.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 609.66, 
 22.33  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 22.34     Subd. 2.  [EXCEPTIONS.] Nothing in this section prohibits: 
 22.35     (1) the possession of the articles mentioned by museums or 
 22.36  collectors of art or for other lawful purposes of public 
 23.1   exhibition; and 
 23.2      (2) the possession, use, and transportation of a silencer 
 23.3   by a federal, state, local, or tribal government agency for the 
 23.4   purpose of wildlife control.  The chief enforcement officer of 
 23.5   each government agency that has a need to use silencing devices 
 23.6   must establish and enforce a written policy governing the use of 
 23.7   the devices. 
 23.8      Sec. 40.  [CONFORMING CHANGES; RULES.] 
 23.9      The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under 
 23.10  Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), 
 23.11  to amend rules to conform to section 34.  Minnesota Statutes, 
 23.12  section 14.386, does not apply to the rulemaking under this 
 23.13  section except to the extent provided under Minnesota Statutes, 
 23.14  section 14.388. 
 23.15     Sec. 41.  [REPEALER.] 
 23.16     Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 88.27; 97B.005, 
 23.17  subdivision 4; 97B.935; 97C.015; 97C.403; and 97C.825, 
 23.18  subdivisions 6, 7, 8, and 9, are repealed.