House Budget Bill Rolls Back Invasive Species Boating Rule

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A House budget bill would change Minnesota's law aimed at requiring watercraft owners to get training on how to spot and prevent aquatic invasive species.

The House environment finance bill slated for committee action Tuesday would repeal the requirement that boaters affix a special trailer decal they would get after completing a training course on invasive species.

The Department of Natural Resources had previously postponed the decal program amid anticipation of legislative action. It was due to go live in July.

Instead, the House bill would rely on an affirmation process for license holders to profess awareness of invasive-species prevention.

Minnesota has tried to keep zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil and other damaging species from spreading into lakes and harming native fish.

A competing Senate bill hasn't been released.