March 30, 2009: Legislative Report #43

The Bills Just Keep Coming

A $6.4 billion budget deficit, who has time to deal with that? On Monday, March 30, 2009, with only 49 days in session, our leadership introduced 40 additional bills bringing this session total to 2,243. Reason indicates the end of session is the only way to end bill introduction. 

An example of the latest round of constitutional violations of our elected legislature is Bill #2242. In general, the state would give local law enforcement authority to enforce environmental violations, and on the spot seizure of the violators off road vehicle. The existing law and a section of proposed addition are below. Using the words “careless and reckless”, how vague can an enforcement tool be.

2008 Minnesota Statutes 84.773 sub 2, (2)

…carelessly upset the natural and ecological balance of a wetland or public waters wetland; or…

part of the new bill #2242:

…and the person recklessly upsets the natural and ecological balance of a wetland or public waters wetland…

Before you go off road any more, have a lawyer, the EPA regulations manual, one environmentalist, a survey crew, and a DNR representative. You have no need to worry about a Minnesota mosquito sucking the blood out of you ~ the Minnesota Legislature is fully intending too. Perhaps we all sell our off-road vehicles, or vacation in another state.