Subd. 1. Permits.

A person may not buy more than 100 pounds of decorative boughs in any calendar year without a bough buyer's permit issued by the commissioner of natural resources. The annual fee for a permit for a resident or nonresident to buy decorative boughs is $25. The annual fee may be reduced to $10 if the buyer attends an approved annual workshop or other orientation session for balsam bough harvesters and buyers.

Subd. 2. Buying and record requirements.

1. (a) When buying or otherwise receiving decorative boughs, a person permitted under this section must record:

   1. (1) the seller's name and address;
   2. (2) the form of written consent; and

   3. (3) the government permit number or legal description or property tax identification number of the land from which the boughs were obtained.

      The information must be provided on a form furnished or otherwise approved by the commissioner of natural resources in consultation with the balsam bough industry groups.

2. (b) Boughs may not be purchased if the seller fails to exhibit the written consent required under section 88.642, subdivision 1, or if the boughs do not conform to the standards specified on the consent. Decorative boughs cut from public lands must conform to standards specified in the written consent.
3. (c) Records shall be maintained from July 1 until June 30 of the following calendar year and shall be open to inspection to an officer during reasonable hours.
4. (d) Customer name and address records created and maintained by permittees under this section are classified as private or nonpublic government data.

Subd. 3. Revocation of permits.

1. (a) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under this section for cause, including falsification of records required under this section or violation of any other provision of sections 88.641 to 88.648.
2. (b) A person convicted of two or more violations of sections 88.641 to 88.648 within three years may not obtain a bough buyer's permit for three years from the date of the last conviction.

Subd. 4. Disposition of permit fees and penalties.

Fees for permits issued under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the special revenue fund and are annually appropriated to the commissioner of natural resources for costs associated with balsam bough educational programs for harvesters and buyers.

* NOTE: This section, as added by Laws 2001, First Special *Session chapter 2, section 97, is effective July 1, 2002. Laws *2001, First Special Session chapter 2, section 97, the effective *date.