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SF2735 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Abandoned boats removal and disposal requirement provision

Related bill: HF2580

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to address the issue of abandoned watercraft in Minnesota by setting regulations for their removal and disposal. It introduces measures to penalize neglectful owners and prevent environmental and safety hazards.

Main Provisions

  • Tagging and Notification: Peace officers or designated employees can tag unlawfully located watercraft that appear inoperative, neglected, a danger of sinking, or unmoored and unattended. They must notify the commissioner within 48 hours.
  • Owner Notification: The commissioner sends a notice to the registered owner of the tagged watercraft by certified mail. The owner is given 14 days to remedy the situation.
  • Penalties for Noncompliance: Failure to remedy the condition within 14 days is a misdemeanor. The owner faces criminal charges, civil penalties, and must cover costs incurred in the watercraft's removal.
  • Seizure and Forfeiture: If the condition is unremedied, the watercraft is deemed abandoned and can be seized and forfeited by the commissioner.
  • Exemptions: The bill exempts historically significant sunken watercraft or those used for scuba diving or tourism that don't pose safety risks.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Amended Seizure Laws: The bill amends existing state statutes to include abandoned watercraft as property subject to seizure and forfeiture.
  • License and Registration Restrictions: Amends the statute to void certain game, fish, watercraft, off-highway vehicle, and snowmobile licenses of those convicted for watercraft abandonment until costs are reimbursed.

Relevant Terms

abandoned boats, unlawful watercraft, tagging, peace officer, commissioner, seizure, forfeiture, misdemeanor, civil penalties, Minnesota Statutes, Department of Natural Resources, environmental hazards

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 19, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 19, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEnvironment, Climate, and Legacy
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added
April 02, 2025SenateFloorActionComm report: To pass as amended and re-refer toJudiciary and Public Safety
April 06, 2025SenateFloorActionComm report: To pass and re-referred toEnvironment, Climate, and Legacy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of abandoned watercraft under property subject to seizure and forfeiture."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies conditions under which property is subject to seizure and forfeiture, specifically addressing watercraft as per section 97A.223, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "97A.223",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new subdivision detailing license and registration restrictions post-conviction for abandoned watercraft."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This legislation adds restrictions following a conviction related to abandoned watercraft under the amended section 97A.421.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "97A.421",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3c"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section addresses the enforcement and distribution of civil penalties under mentioned statutes.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "115A.99",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Sponsors