The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 18.78, subdivision 2, to include nonnative Phragmites as a noxious weed alongside purple loosestrife. It establishes that landowners of nonfederal lands adjacent to public waters or wetlands are not required to control or eradicate these plants, as the responsibility falls to the commissioner of natural resources. The commissioner is tasked with controlling and eradicating both purple loosestrife and nonnative Phragmites, and is authorized to enter public waters and wetlands for investigation and implementation of eradication methods after notifying landowners.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the commissioner compile an annual priority list of infestations of both purple loosestrife and nonnative Phragmites to be managed with herbicides, which will be distributed to local agricultural and weed inspectors. The bill also clarifies that the commissioner’s authority to enter private lands for control purposes ceases ten days after a landowner assumes responsibility for the management of these noxious weeds. Furthermore, it provides immunity from civil liability for state officers and employees acting in the course of their duties under this section, except in cases of gross negligence.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 18.78