Senate File 2345, the Department of Natural Resources’ annual policy and technical bill, was presented to the Senate Environment committee on April 1 and laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus package after senators adopted several amendments and debated others.

The bill proposes multiple technical corrections and policy updates across DNR programs, including repealing an antiquated land acquisition reporting requirement, clarifying state trail pass inspection language, defining “eviscerated carp” to allow sale and transport of processed invasive carp carcasses, allowing bycatch burbot to be kept in Lake Superior commercial fisheries, and a public water inventory technical correction tied to the Wetland Conservation Act.

Committee members approved an A1 amendment that extends the crossbow season sunset to June 30, 2026 so the DNR can complete a required report. The committee approved an A2 amendment, offered by Senator Hoffman, to create a catch‑and‑release option during the closed winter season aimed at expanding opportunities for student anglers and high‑school fishing programs; Jimmy Bell, president of the Student Angler Organization in Minnesota, testified in favor, saying the change would help engage teens and encourage broader participation in angling.

Other items generated extended discussion. Senator Green introduced an A6 amendment to allow civil suits and modest penalties when individuals claim conservation officers violated rights; the DNR opposed as drafted and the author withdrew the amendment to pursue additional drafting and possible judicial committee review. Senator Jokowski offered an A4 amendment to remove the shotgun zone limitation in phases (some counties in 2025, remaining southern counties in 2027); the amendment passed after debate and discussion about local control and preemption statutes. A proposed walleye stamp and two‑line endorsement (A7) was discussed and then withdrawn for further work with DNR fisheries staff.

DNR legislative coordinator Adam Dahl and Assistant Commissioner Bob Meyer described the bill’s technical corrections and explained reasons for repealing the land acquisition report requirement, aligning state trail pass display rules with other vehicle pass rules, clarifying invasive carp handling and commerce, and making a technical fix to public water inventory language to avoid unintended tax consequences if wetlands were reclassified.

The committee laid over the bill for possible inclusion in the environment omnibus; several amendments were adopted, some were withdrawn to permit follow‑up drafting, and staff indicated they would work with authors on enforcement and funding questions ahead of further committee action.