SF4229

Purpose

This bill changes how Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) can train and authorize people to inspect watercraft and water-related equipment for aquatic invasive species, aquatic macrophytes, and water presence. It expands who can conduct inspections (including tribal and local governments) and sets rules to keep inspections effective while reducing delays and maintaining public access to waters.

Main Provisions

• Training and authorizing inspectors

  • The DNR shall train and authorize individuals to inspect water-related equipment for aquatic macrophytes, aquatic invasive species, and water.
  • An in-person training session will be limited to one per person; web-based or remote training may be required no more than once every three years.

• Delegation to tribal/local governments

  • The DNR may enter into delegation agreements allowing tribal or local governments to perform inspection authority (and related duties) in specified areas or waters.
  • Delegation agreements can transfer legal, financial, and administrative responsibilities for parts or all of the inspection programs.

• Inspector roles and enforcement

  • Inspectors may visually and tactilely inspect watercraft and water-related equipment for aquatic invasive species, aquatic macrophytes, and water presence.
  • If a person resists required actions or a violation occurs, an inspector who is not a licensed peace officer must refer the case to a conservation officer or other licensed peace officer.
  • Peace officers may inspect watercraft at water access sites, other public locations, or private locations in plain view if there’s reason to believe aquatic invasive species, aquatic macrophytes, or water are present.

• Check stations and inspections

  • Officers may use check stations near places where watercraft enter or leave waters, designed to minimize delays.
  • Officers may order removal of water-related equipment from a water body if needed for control measures.

• Mandatory inspections and inspection stations

  • The DNR may require mandatory inspections of water-related equipment before placing into or removing from a water body.
  • Inspection stations should be located near public accesses or places that service multiple waters and must:
  • Have enough staff to minimize delays.
  • Provide reasonable travel times between accesses and stations.
  • Avoid creating traffic or safety issues.
  • Have decontamination equipment ready to bring equipment into compliance.
  • Not reduce the capacity or hours of public water accesses.

• Tribal/local government inspection plans (g and h)

  • Tribes/local governments authorized to inspect must:
  • Use inspectors trained and authorized by the DNR.
  • Conduct inspections and decontamination per DNR-approved guidelines.
  • Make decontamination equipment available at stations or nearby alternatives.
  • Locate stations in ways that don’t create traffic or safety problems.
  • Submit an annual plan approved by the DNR, detailing:
    • No reduction in access capacity or hours.
    • Fees that don’t discourage use.
    • Reasonable travel times and adequate staffing.
    • Adequate enforcement capacity.
    • Measures for inspections at public accesses for commercial entities and private landowners.
    • Other elements to ensure statewide consistency and proper protocols.

• Reporting and flexibility

  • Authorized government units must submit an annual report to the DNR summarizing results and issues.
  • The DNR may waive the plan requirement for programs with fixed inspection sites at water accesses, no travel requirement, and no local regulation mandating inspections.

How this Changes Current Law

• Expands who can conduct inspections by allowing delegation to tribal and local governments.
• Establishes formal training and certification expectations for inspectors, with limits on in-person training and allowances for remote training.
• Introduces mandatory inspections and required inspection stations with clear standards to minimize traffic disruption and maintain access to waterways.
• Creates a more formal framework for enforcement, including when non-peace officers refer violations to licensed peace officers.
• Adds routine reporting and planning requirements to ensure statewide consistency and oversight.

Implementation and Oversight Considerations

• Requires coordination between the DNR and tribal/local governments through delegation agreements.
• Sets standards for station location, staffing, decontamination readiness, and traffic considerations to protect public safety and water access.
• Requires annual reporting and compliance plans to monitor effectiveness and address issues.

Relevant Terms aquatic invasive species aquatic macrophytes watercraft water-related equipment inspection stations check stations decontamination equipment commissioner of natural resources delegation agreement tribal government local government conservation officer peace officer mandatory inspections public waters water access site inspections plan statewide consistency enforcement training and authorization annual report