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HF649 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Annual open season for wolves required.

Related bill: SF632

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

  • To regulate when and how wolves can be hunted in Minnesota, tying hunting to whether wolves are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The bill aims to ensure any wolf hunting rules align with a state wolf management plan and involve public input and federal/state agency coordination.

Main Provisions

  • Open season timing: There shall be no annual open season for wolves until after wolves are delisted under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Once delisted, the commissioner may establish open seasons and restrictions for taking wolves.
  • Public comment: Any open seasons or restrictions set after delisting must provide an opportunity for public comment.
  • Alignment with management plan: Season restrictions and other requirements must be consistent with the goals identified in the wolf management plan adopted under section 97B.646.
  • Interagency consultation: Before setting season restrictions and other requirements of the open season, the commissioner must annually consult with:
    • The commissioner of agriculture, and
    • The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).
  • Data review: The consultation must include a review of available data on wolf depredation on livestock and pets and other incidents of human conflict involving wolves.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 97B.645, subdivision 9 to introduce a conditional open season for wolves that only begins after ESA delisting.
  • Requires ongoing annual interagency consultation (with agriculture and USDA APHIS) as a prerequisite to establishing the open season and any related restrictions.
  • Requires that the open-season framework be grounded in the state wolf management plan’s goals and informed by depredation and human-conflict data.

Relevant Terms - annual open season - wolves - Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) - delisted - taking (hunting/harvesting wolves) - wolf management plan (section 97B.646) - public comment - commissioner of agriculture - USDA APHIS (United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) - depredation - livestock - pets - human conflict

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 13, 2025HouseActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toEnvironment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
February 20, 2025HouseActionAuthor added
February 24, 2025HouseActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requires annual open season for wolves prior to ESA delisting.",
        "Public comment on season restrictions.",
        "Annual consultations with the commissioner of agriculture and USDA APHIS.",
        "Requirement that season rules align with the wolf management plan (section 97B.646).",
        "Consideration of wolf depredation and human-conflict data in consultations."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 97B.645 subdivision 9 to establish an annual open season for wolves; before delisting under the federal Endangered Species Act, the commissioner must establish an annual open season; after delisting, the commissioner may set seasons and restrictions with public comment. Requires consistency with the wolf management plan and annual consultation with the commissioner of agriculture and USDA APHIS; consultation must review wolf depredation and human-conflict data.",
      "modified": [
        "Subdivision 9 amended to implement pre-delisting open season, with post-delisting authority to be determined."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "97B.645",
    "subdivision": "Subdivision 9"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References the wolf management plan adopted under section 97B.646.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "97B.646",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Federal law referenced in the bill regarding delisting and protections for wolves; informs the timing of the annual open season.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "Endangered Species Act of 1973",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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