Bill
HF 626
HF 626 expands age-based fishing/hunting exemptions (under 18) and updates license fees and apprentice rules to broaden participation while maintaining safety and funding.
HF 626 Summary (Minnesota, 2025-2026)
Overview
- Bill HF 626 amends age-related exemptions and license requirements for hunting, trapping, fishing, and certain related activities in Minnesota. It reorganizes and updates who may engage in activities without licenses or with reduced fees, and it adjusts several license categories for residents and nonresidents. The changes affect sections of the Minnesota Statutes related to age exemptions (97A.451), fees for hunting (97A.475), fishing (97A.475), trapping (97A.475), apprentice-hunter provisions (97B.022), and license exceptions (97B.601). The bill also repeals certain prior provisions and merges them into the new framework.
Key Provisions and Changes
1) Age exemptions for fishing (Sec. 1)
- Replaces prior age threshold from under 16 to under 18 for fishing-related exemptions.
- New language allows residents and nonresidents under age 18 to fish without a license.
- Separate allowance to net ciscoes and whitefish for personal consumption without the standard license (under section 97A.475, subd. 13) with the same age change.
2) Age exemptions for small game (Sec. 2)
- Lowers or maintains exemptions for under-18 individuals to take small game without a license under specific conditions:
- Those 18 or younger may take small game without a license if they meet age/certification requirements and are accompanied or supervised per existing rules (e.g., firearms safety certificate, apprentice-hunter validation, accompanied by a parent/guardian).
- Trapping: those under 18 may trap small game with looser requirements; older minors may need a trapping license.
- Turkey and prairie-chicken licensing exemptions depend on being under 13 or under 18 with adult supervision and required certificates.
- New clause excludes nonresident small-game activities under this subdivision from certain 97B.601 subd. 3 and 3a rules.
3) Resident hunting license fees (Sec. 3)
- Revisions to fee schedule for residents:
- Small game licenses: $15.50 (18–64), $7 (65+)
- Turkey licenses: $26 (adult), $5 (13–17)
- Deer licenses (firearms/archery/muzzleloader): $34 (adult)
- Other big-game licenses (moose, bear, elk) and waterfowl/shoreline species retain or adjust fees.
- A previously listed 16–17 age small-game license fee of $5 is removed.
- A 72-hour or multi-day small-game license structure remains with specified allocations to habitat accounts.
4) Nonresident hunting fees (Sec. 4)
- Nonresident fee table updated with similar species categories as residents:
- Small game: $90.50
- Deer (firearms/archery/muzzleloader): $180
- Bear: $225
- Turkey: $91
- Age 13–17 turkey license: $5
- Wolf: $250 (revised from prior amounts)
- A $5 surcharge is added to many nonresident licenses (with limited exclusions).
5) Resident fishing fees (Sec. 5)
- Angling licenses: $25 (adult 18+), $40 (combined couple), $12 (24-hour), $14 (72-hour)
- Three-year angling option: $71
- The prior dedicated 16–17 age small-game fishing fee is removed.
6) Nonresident fishing fees (Sec. 6)
- Nonresident fishing license tiers align with resident options but priced differently:
- Angling: $46 (adult), $38 (7-day), $31 (72-hour), $63 (family), $14 (24-hour), $49 (14-day combined family)
- A $5 surcharge applies to most nonresident licenses.
7) Trapping licenses (Sec. 7)
- Trapping fees updated:
- Residents 18–64: $23
- Residents 65+: $11.50
- Nonresidents: $84
- Wolves license remains $30 (resident only)
8) Apprentice-hunter/trapper validation (Sec. 8)
- Updated apprentice rules:
- Validations can be purchased for two license years in a lifetime.
- Apprentice-hunter/trapper may hunt certain species only when accompanied by a licensed adult not using an apprentice validation for those species.
- Turkey and prairie chicken hunting under apprenticeship requires the accompanying adult to be licensed for the same season/permit area.
- Apprentice-hunter must obtain all required licenses and stamps.
9) Small-game exceptions (Sec. 9)
- Updates to license exceptions for wolf, turkey, and prairie chicken without a small-game license under certain conditions.
10) Repeals (Sec. 10)
- Repeals sections: 97A.451, subdivisions 2a, 3b, 5, and 6 (the repealed text is integrated into the new framework).
Who is Affected
- Residents and nonresidents seeking licenses for fishing, hunting, trapping, and related activities.
- Youth hunters and anglers (under 18) via adjusted exemptions and apprenticeship provisions.
- Families and spouses (via combined licenses for fishing).
- Camp programs and nonprofit organizations (via apprentice/trainer provisions and nonresident youth exemptions).
Timelines and Process
- The bill establishes new licensing tiers and exemptions, effective upon enactment (noted as part of a 2025–2026 session).
- Apprentice validations can be used for two license years in a lifetime.
- Repeals take effect as part of the statute changes, consolidating authority under the new sections.
Notes
- HF 626 aims to simplify and expand age-based exemptions, potentially increasing participation in hunting and fishing, while preserving safety and conservation funding through adjusted fees and required certifications.
- The bill is sponsored by Rep. Swedzinski (Co-sponsor) and referred to Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy early in the 2025 session.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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