03/04/20 09:10 am ​

HOUSE RESEARCH

MV

JT228​

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A bill for an act​

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relating to natural resources; requiring recommendations for watercraft operator's​
safety program; appropriating money.​

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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:​
Section 1. WATERCRAFT OPERATOR'S SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS;​
APPROPRIATION.​

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(a) The commissioner of natural resources, in consultation with interested parties, must​

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develop recommendations for the establishment of a watercraft operator's safety program.​

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The program must include:​

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(1) requirements that a person complete and pass a watercraft safety course designed by​
the commissioner in order to operate certain motorized watercraft over 16 feet;​

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(2) a watercraft safety course that covers the following topics:​

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(i) watercraft safety;​

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(ii) best practices to reduce conflicts with other water resource users;​

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(iii) ecological impacts of watercraft; and​

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(iv) aquatic invasive species prevention;​

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(3) an endorsement required for a watercraft operator to operate a watercraft with​

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enhanced wake technology that requires the completion and passage of an additional course.​

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The course must incorporate recommendations of the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species​

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Research Center for reducing the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species by watercraft​

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with enhanced wake technology and mitigating other negative impacts of the watercraft,​

Section 1.​

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 03/04/20 09:10 am ​

HOUSE RESEARCH

MV

JT228​

2.1

and research of the St. Anthony Fall Laboratory on the dynamics of enhanced wakes and​

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the impacts to lake sediments and aquatic plants; and​

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(4) an optional endorsement for a watercraft operator to become certified as an aquatic​

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invasive species self inspector, allowing the watercraft operator to serve as an aquatic​

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invasive species ambassador at special events and boat ramps and bypass certain inspection​

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programs if the operator completes and passes an additional course similar to the aquatic​

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invasive species watercraft inspector training.​

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(b) The commissioner must submit the recommendations required under this section to​

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the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate​

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committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources by​

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January 15, 2021.​

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(c) $....... in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner​

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of natural resources to develop and submit the recommendations required under this section.​

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This is a onetime appropriation.​

Section 1.​

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