More Robust Check Station Aquatic Nuisance Species

Current law allows qualified peace officers to stop a conveyance, including a boat trailer and a boat, and inspect the conveyance for the presence of aquatic nuisance species before the boat is launched onto waters of the state and before departing from the waters of the state or a vessel staging area, and to impound and quarantine a conveyance that is contaminated until it is decontaminated. Authorized agents can detain and inspect conveyances but cannot impound or quarantine conveyances.

Section 1 of the act directs the division of parks and wildlife in the department of natural resources to investigate the methods that other states are using with respect to the location and operation of check stations and report regarding its investigation and the operation of check stations pursuant to the act to the general assembly's committees with jurisdiction over wildlife.

Section 2 authorizes a qualified peace officer to stop and inspect for the presence of aquatic nuisance species a conveyance that has encountered an aquatic nuisance species check station.

Section 3 prohibits a person who encounters a check station from knowingly or willfully failing or refusing to stop at the check station while transporting a conveyance during the check station's hours of operation without presenting the conveyance for inspection and specifies that doing so is a civil infraction with a $100 fine.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)