1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; exempting soldiers, veterans, and licensed peace 
1.3 	officers from certain requirements relating to the statea??s firearms safety certificate 
1.4 	as a prerequisite to purchasing a hunting license;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.5 	2006, sections 97B.015, by adding a subdivision; 97B.020; 197.65.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.015, is amended by adding a 
1.8 	subdivision to read:
1.9 		Subd. 5a.Exemption for military and peace officers. Notwithstanding subdivision 
1.10 	5, a person who has successfully completed basic training in the United States armed 
1.11 	forces, or who is a peace officer licensed under sections 626.84 to 626.863, is exempt 
1.12 	from the range and shooting exercise portion of the required course of instruction for the 
1.13 	firearms safety certificate. The commissioner may require written proof of the persona??s 
1.14 	military training or peace officer licensure, as deemed appropriate for implementing this 
1.15 	subdivision. The commissioner shall publicly announce this exemption from the range 
1.16 	and shooting exercise requirement and the availability of the departmenta??s online, remote 
1.17 	study option for adults seeking firearms safety certification. The peace officer or current 
1.18 	or former service member is not exempt from any other requirement of this section for 
1.19 	obtaining a firearms safety certificate.

1.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment 
1.21 	and applies to applications for certificates made on or after that date.

1.22 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.020, is amended to read:
1.23 	97B.020 FIREARMS SAFETY CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.
2.1 	(a) Except as provided in this section and section 97A.451, subdivision 3a, a person 
2.2 	born after December 31, 1979, may not obtain an annual license to take wild animals by 
2.3 	firearms unless the person has:
2.4 	(1) a firearms safety certificate or equivalent certificate;
2.5 	(2) a driver's license or identification card with a valid firearms safety qualification 
2.6 	indicator issued under section 171.07, subdivision 13;
2.7 	(3) a previous hunting license with a valid firearms safety qualification indicator; or
2.8 	(4) other evidence indicating that the person has completed in this state or in another 
2.9 	state a hunter safety course recognized by the department under a reciprocity agreement or 
2.10 	certified by the department as substantially similar.
2.11 	(b) A person who is on active duty serving in active military service or has been 
2.12 	released or discharged from active military service within the past one year, as shown 
2.13 	by the persona??s valid military identification card or federal form DD-214 or other 
2.14 	documentation satisfactory to the commissioner, and has successfully completed basic 
2.15 	training in any branch or unit of the United States armed forces, reserve component, or 
2.16 	National Guard may obtain a hunting license or approval authorizing hunting regardless of 
2.17 	whether the person is has been issued a firearms safety certificate.
2.18 	(c) A person born after December 31, 1979, may not use a lifetime license to take 
2.19 	wild animals by firearms, unless the person meets the requirements for obtaining an annual 
2.20 	license under paragraph (a) or (b).

2.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment 
2.22 	and applies to hunting licenses issued on or after that date.

2.23 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 197.65, is amended to read:
2.24 	197.65 RENEWAL OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSE, MOTOR VEHICLE 
2.25 	REGISTRATION AND DRIVER'S LICENSE CROSS-REFERENCES TO 
2.26 	GOVERNING STATUTES.
2.27 	(a) The renewal of a license or certificate of registration for a person who is serving 
2.28 	in or has recently been separated or discharged from active military service and who 
2.29 	is required by law to be licensed or registered in order to carry on or practice a trade, 
2.30 	employment, occupation, or profession in the state is governed under sections 326.55
2.31 	and section326.56.
2.32 	(b) The renewal of a driver's license for a person who is serving in or has recently 
2.33 	been separated or discharged from active military service is governed under section 171.27.
3.1 	(c) The renewal and payment of the motor vehicle registration tax for a vehicle of a 
3.2 	person who is serving in or has recently been separated or discharged from active military 
3.3 	service is governed under section 168.031.
3.4 	(d) The exemption of a person who has successfully completed basic military 
3.5 	training or who is a licensed peace officer from the range and shooting exercise 
3.6 	requirement of a firearms safety training course, as a prerequisite for obtaining a hunting 
3.7 	license or for any other purpose, is governed by sections 97B.015, subdivision 5a, and 
3.8 	97B.020, paragraph (b).

3.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.