Tweaks to invasive species law top priority for environment committee

Stopping a law that will require boat owners to take an online training course in the next six months or be subject to penalty is among the top priorities of the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee.

Rep. Denny McNamara

That issue was one of several mentioned Tuesday by Rep. Denny McNamara (R-Hastings), the committee chair, who led members through a discussion of several key issues the committee is expected to tackle during the upcoming session. They include challenges related to ground and surface water, permitting reform and recycling.

However, aquatic invasive species are at the front of the line because a new law — which requires boaters to display a trailer decal certifying they’ve taken an AIS education course — will take effect on July 1, 2015. Unless that requirement is changed, boaters without the decal could face penalties.

“The sticker really has not worked the way it was designed,” McNamara said. “I anticipate we’ll have that discussion and be getting rid of that requirement as it is.”

A bill that would do just that, HF50, has already been introduced and referred to the committee. McNamara said he believes it “will be fast-tracked in the Legislature.” A companion bill (SF85) sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) awaits action by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

The committee also discussed the need for continued efforts to ensure water resources are protected and conserved. McNamara said both ground and surface water must be sustainable, but he told members they will take a critical look at the issues.

“We’re going to follow common sense, not emotion,” McNamara said. “We have to make sure we have good monitoring going on, but yet we don’t want over-regulation. We need to take into account the economic impact of our actions on jobs in this state.”

Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau), the committee vice chair, told members he would like to see them continue down the path toward permitting reform and hold discussions on how to help agencies like the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency “become better neighbors.”

McNamara believes the committee will look at reform, and also hear bills related to recycling. But he did issue a warning regarding the latter subject, telling the committee it would not hear any recycling legislation “until this building does a better job itself.” McNamara noted there were not recycling bins in the meeting room, calling it “embarrassing,” and said the issue needs to be figured out.