To the editor,
August 1 was the day Highway 23 between Wakefield Township and Richmond was officially be named in honor of fallen Cold Spring police officer Tom Decker.
Sen. Michelle Fischbach and I authored legislation to create this memorial to officer Decker, preserving his legacy and recognizing the ultimate sacrifice he made in the name of public safety. The Dept. of Transportation plans to post signs along the road to recognize Decker at a later date.
This is one change in a batch of new laws which took effect Aug. 1. A number of changes pertain to hunting, fishing or the outdoors in general. Here are some to note:
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Antler point restrictions for deer hunting: The DNR is authorized to establish antler point restrictions (APR) for deer hunting areas in southeast Minnesota. This will likely restrict most hunters from taking antlered deer with less than four points on one side in Series 300 permit areas.
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Spearing expanded: Spearing is expanded to 12 additional lakes mostly in northern Minnesota. Lakes now open to spear fishing include Big Mantrap (Hubbard County), Lobster (Douglas), Beers and West Battle (Otter Tail), Cross (Pine), Sugar (Wright), Eagle (Hennepin), Owasso (Ramsey), and Deer, North Star, Moose and Spider Lakes (Itasca).
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Bowfishing season expanded: The bow fishing season is expanded by adding an early season from late February to late April.
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Hunting license fees: Fees for some youth hunting and spear fishing licenses are reduced or eliminated. Fees are also reduced for multi-season super sport licenses.
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Fees charged by vendors standardized: The issuing fee private vendors are authorized to charge for license sales has been standardized at $1 for most hunting and fishing licenses.
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Hunting license provisions changed for critically ill, disabled veterans
Critically ill people will be allowed, once in a lifetime, to purchase hunting licenses otherwise limited by a lottery drawing — including wild turkey, deer, bear, prairie chicken and wolf — under a provision of the omnibus game and fish law. The law will allow veterans with 100 percent permanently disabled status to receive a permanent card allowing them to more easily obtain a hunting license, for deer or small game, free of charge. In addition, the law requires the DNR to designate one weekend each year when an all-terrain vehicle may be operated on state and grant-in-aid trails without registration.
Complete information on new laws is available by logging on to www.house.leg.state.mn.us and clicking on the "New Laws" link near the bottom of the page.
On another note, a federal judge has dismissed two law suits challenging the unionization of childcare providers and personal care attendants. The judge dismissed the suits because the plaintiffs had not yet suffered injury by the new law. This situation remains fluid, so I urge workers in these areas to remain involved in the process and express their opinions on the matter.
Sincerely,
Rep. Jeff Howe