This bill amends various sections of the Minnesota Statutes to enhance protections for wild-rice waters in relation to pesticide use. It introduces a new definition for "wild-rice water," which includes bodies of water that support or are capable of supporting wild rice, particularly those within or flowing into Indian country. The bill empowers the commissioner to enforce regulations against violations that adversely affect wild-rice waters and mandates that penalties collected be deposited into the pesticide regulatory account. Additionally, the bill requires the commissioner to assess the impact of pesticides on the environment, including wild-rice waters, and to develop best management practices to mitigate harmful effects.

Further amendments include the development of a pesticide management plan that addresses the prevention and mitigation of pesticide contamination in wild-rice waters, as well as the establishment of educational programs focused on protecting these waters. The bill emphasizes the need for state agencies to coordinate with Minnesota Tribal governments and other stakeholders in these efforts. It also mandates that the state take special care to prevent pesticides from entering wild-rice waters and includes provisions for training programs that incorporate the protection of these waters into their curriculum.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 18B.01, 18B.03, 18B.04, 18B.045, 18B.063, 18B.305