This bill modifies various provisions related to natural resources in Minnesota, including changes to reporting requirements, state trail pass regulations for off-road vehicles, and invasive species management. Notably, it removes the requirement for the commissioner of natural resources to report to the legislature on the status of state parks and other recreational lands every even-numbered year. Instead, the commissioner is empowered to maintain a long-range plan for the use of public lands. Additionally, the bill introduces a new definition for "eviscerated" and allows for the possession and transport of certain invasive fish species, such as bighead carp, grass carp, and silver carp, provided they are dead and eviscerated.

Furthermore, the bill expands the list of fish that can be commercially fished in Lake Superior to include burbot and modifies the public waters inventory process. The commissioner is given more discretion in reclassifying wetlands and is required to prioritize the reclassification of public waters wetlands that may be impacted by public works projects. To support these updates, the bill appropriates $1,000,000 annually from the general fund for the fiscal years 2025 through 2032 to facilitate the updating of the public water inventory.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 84.03, 84.8035, 84D.01, 84D.05, 97C.835, 103G.201