SF 1346 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Brady Aune and Joseph Anderson Safety Act

SF 1346 requires companies with permits to harvest or destroy aquatic plants in Minnesota's public waters to follow new safety rules when using scuba diving equipment. It mandates annual third-party hazard surveys by qualified safety professionals, requires divers to hold nationally certified training, and blocks permits for businesses with recent scuba-related safety violations. The bill directly affects commercial aquatic plant management companies operating in Minnesota, adding safety documentation and certification requirements to their permit process. These provisions aim to reduce diving-related injuries by ensuring proper equipment, training, and risk assessments.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Last action Apr 9, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

1st Engrossment 2nd Engrossment · 5 edits · Mar 10, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates safety requirements for commercial aquatic plant harvesting, specifically mandating that permit applicants inform the commissioner if they plan to use scuba diving. It clarifies that a general permit alone does not make the state an employer and establishes stricter rules for certification, equipment, and the presence of standby divers.
Scope change
The bill clarifies that the commissioner of natural resources is not the employer of permit holders and their employees, shifting liability and safety oversight primarily to the permit holder.
ELIGIBILITY

Added a requirement for permit applicants to notify the commissioner if scuba diving equipment will be used during the project.

REQUIREMENT

Established new rules requiring specific equipment (like depth monitors and alternate air sources) and the presence of a certified standby diver while someone is underwater.

Replaced the previous requirement for CPR/first aid training with a mandate that employers ensure all divers are trained in CPR and first aid.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a mechanism to revoke permits if a holder uses scuba gear without having informed the commissioner or without meeting all new safety requirements.

DEFINITION

Clarified that issuing a permit does not create an employer-employee relationship between the state and the permit holder.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Comm report: To pass
upper
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Finance
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Environment, Climate, and Legacy
upper
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
Withdrawn and re-referred to Labor
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to Environment, Climate, and Legacy
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors