MN SF4307

Commissioner of Natural Resources must develop recommendations for a watercraft operator safety program in consultation with interested parties.

Safety program must include a required watercraft safety course for operators of motorized watercraft over 16 feet covering watercraft safety, conflict reduction with other water users, ecological impacts, and aquatic invasive species prevention.

Program must include an endorsement requiring an additional course for operators of watercraft with enhanced wake technology, incorporating recommendations from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center and research from the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory.

Program must include an optional aquatic invasive species self-inspector endorsement allowing certified operators to serve as ambassadors at events and boat ramps and bypass certain inspection programs.

Commissioner must submit recommendations to legislative committee chairs and ranking minority members by January 15, 2021, with a one-time general fund appropriation for fiscal year 2021 to develop and submit the recommendations.