1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to county highways; establishing penalties for spilling of cow manure onto
1.3 county highways; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
1.4 116.
1.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [116.0718] COW MANURE ON COUNTY HIGHWAYS; OFFENSE.
1.7 Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) As used in this section, the following terms have the
1.8 meanings given.
1.9 (b) "County highway" means any public road maintained by a county government.
1.10 (c) "Cow manure" means the excrement of cattle.
1.11 (d) "Spilling" means the act of unintentionally or intentionally releasing cow manure
1.12 onto a county highway.
1.13 Subd. 2. Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any person to spill cow manure onto any
1.14 county highway within the state of Minnesota.
1.15 Subd. 3. Penalties. (a) Any person found guilty of spilling cow manure onto a county
1.16 highway shall be fined up to $1,000.
1.17 (b) Any person found guilty of a second or subsequent offense shall be fined up to $5,000
1.18 and may be required to perform community service related to environmental cleanup.
1.19 (c) If the spilling of cow manure results in significant environmental damage or poses
1.20 a public health risk, the violator may be fined up to $10,000 and may face additional penalties
1.21 as determined by the court.
2.1 Subd. 4. Enforcement. (a) County sheriffs and other local law enforcement officers are
2.2 authorized to enforce this act.
2.3 (b) Any person who witnesses a violation of this act is encouraged to report it to local
2.4 authorities.
2.5 (c) Local authorities shall investigate reported violations and prosecute offenders in
2.6 accordance with this act.
2.7 EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective 90 days after its passage and approval
2.8 by the governor, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
