HF1355

This Minnesota bill introduces new safety regulations for individuals using scuba diving equipment when harvesting or destroying aquatic plants. It amends existing statutes and establishes new requirements for commercial diving operations:

1. Permit Requirements for Aquatic Plant Management (Sec. 1 & 2):

   • The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) commissioner must verify if a permit applicant plans to use scuba diving equipment.
   • If scuba diving is involved, applicants must provide documentation confirming a third-party on-site hazard survey was conducted in the past year by a qualified safety professional.
   • The commissioner cannot issue permits to individuals or companies with willful violations of occupational safety standards related to scuba diving in the past two years.

2. Regulations for Commercial Diving Operations (Sec. 3):

   • Requires individuals performing scuba diving at a workplace (such as for aquatic plant removal) to have a valid open-water scuba diver certification from a nationally recognized agency.
   • Employers must mandate the use of a buoyancy control device for scuba divers.
   • Violations by employers of these requirements can result in penalties under Minnesota occupational safety laws.
   • The commissioner must create an informational sheet outlining these safety requirements for employers and ensure its distribution through relevant state agencies.

The bill aims to improve occupational safety for commercial divers involved in aquatic plant management activities.