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86B.109

Statute ID: 20248

Abandoned watercraft

In Effect

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Details are only available for Penalty and Charging Statutes.

Statute Number:

86B.109

Enactment Date:

Jun 14, 2025

Effective Date:

Jul 1, 2025

Expiration Date:

Repealed?:

Summary Text:

Abandoned watercraft

Statute ID:

20248

Created:

Jun 17, 2025 by mnjis.legal.analyst@state.mn.us

Updated:

Jun 17, 2025 by mnjis.legal.analyst@state.mn.us

Last Update Action:

Added

Legal Analyst Comment:

New 2025 c1 art4 sec4; effective 07/01/2025

Summary Text:

Abandoned watercraft

Link to MN Statute Text:

https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/86B/109.html

Legislative Session:

2025 - Special 1

Session Law Text?:

Statute text last updated on:

Jun 17, 2025

Subdivision 1.
(a) A peace officer or an employee designated by the commissioner under section 84.0835 may place a tag on a watercraft unlawfully located on public accesses, public lands, and waters of this state or unlawfully located on property adjacent to waters of this state. A watercraft is unlawfully located if the watercraft appears to be:

(1) inoperative and neglected, wrecked, stranded, or substantially dismantled;

(2) in immediate danger of sinking; or

(3) unmoored and unattended.

(b) A peace officer or employee who places a tag on a watercraft under this subdivision must notify the commissioner of placing the tag within 48 hours. The notification must include a statement of the basis for the decision to place a tag on the watercraft.

(c) Upon receiving notification under paragraph (b), the commissioner must send a notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the registered owner of the watercraft. The notice must state that:

(1) the watercraft has been tagged and the condition that resulted in the watercraft being tagged must be remedied immediately; and

(2) failure to remedy within 14 days of the notice being sent is a criminal violation that may result in civil and criminal penalties and forfeiture of the watercraft.

Subd. 2.
The registered owner of a watercraft who knowingly fails to remedy the condition that resulted in the watercraft being tagged within 14 days of the commissioner sending the notice required by subdivision 1, paragraph (c), is guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition, the owner is liable to the Department of Natural Resources for all costs incurred by the commissioner in enforcing this section against the owner.