Legislative Update – June 3, 2024
Dear neighbors,
This week, I will be hosting a meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Mississippi River Basin Legislative Cohort in Saint Paul from June 6-9.
The cohort is a group of state legislators focused on water management issues affecting the Mississippi River and will participate in roundtable discussions and site visits. The NCSL will also hold a meeting of the Agriculture Task Force, which I am a co-chair of.
As we know, water flows downstream and legislation we pass in Minnesota can affect the entire river system. Ensuring that the Mississippi River is protected for future generations is a priority of mine as Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Dakota-Scott County Workforce Update
I want to share some information from the Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board I recently received. One major highlight is that April 2024 numbers shows Dakota and Scott counties’ unemployment rates (2.4% and 2.5% respectively) are below the statewide and national averages (2.7% and 3.5%).
You can find more job search resources, unemployment resources, and CareerForce Center Job Seeker resources here.
Game and Fish Provisions Passed this Year
Now that session is complete, I will be compiling information from our nonpartisan staff on various issue areas we addressed in the Environment Committee this year.
Next up is game and fish provisions:
- $2,600,000 was appropriated to the DNR to develop and implement a new electronic licensing system. Additionally, a number of provisions were passed to accommodate the new system when ready, and a temporary provision allowing a person to use a digital image of certain licenses and passes was also passed.
- $30,000 was appropriated to the DNR to test source water at state fish hatcheries under new testing and reporting requirements that were passed.
- Modifications were made to Cervidae (deer) importation restrictions to allow hunters to import a cervid head if brought to a taxidermist within 48 hours. New requirements for taxidermists, including disposal requirements were also established.
- Modifications were made to restitution and penalty provisions to apply increased restitution values when there is malicious intent/cruelty to animals.
- The special season for Canada geese was eliminated.
- A provision allowing a person to possess, transport, buy, or sell adipose tissue (fat) was included.
- An apprentice trapper certification was created to allow a person to purchase a trapping license without completing trapper education if they are accompanied by a licensed trapper over age 18.
- A provision clarifying that the new ground blind blaze orange requirements passed last year are applicable only to deer hunters was included.
- A provision allowing a landowner to keep a beaver taken under a special permit by a road authority or government unit was included and restrictions on the human consumption of such beavers was added.
- Modifications to public meeting requirements for special management and experimental waters designations were made.
- Modification to trout fishing seasons were made.
- A provision clarifying that the continuous season for catfish is for channel catfish only was included.
- Modifications were made to allow the DNR to authorize the taking of lake sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon, and paddlefish in all waters.
- A provision allowing the DNR to adopt emergency rules, including the importation of live bait, to ensure an adequate bait supply was extended to by two years.
- A provision allowing the DNR to manage the Kittson Central elk herd population for genetic diversification and herd health was included. The herd is not allowed to exceed 130 percent of the estimated 2023 population.
- A number of provisions were passed to rename “rough fish” as “native rough fish” and increase their protection.
Stay in Touch!
Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the year. You can reach me by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-6828. You can contact my Legislative Assistant Sam O'Neill at 651-296-3305 or via email at Samuel.ONeill@house.mn.gov.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative