Subd. 1. Establishment.

The commissioner shall make rules establishing a statewide course in the safe use of firearms and identification of wild mammals and birds. At least one course must be held within the boundary of each school district. The courses must be conducted by the commissioner in cooperation with other organizations. The courses must instruct youths in commonly accepted principles of safety in hunting and handling common hunting firearms and identification of various species of wild mammals and birds by sight and other unique characteristics.

Subd. 2. Administration, supervision, and enforcement.

1. (a) The commissioner shall appoint a qualified person from the enforcement division under civil service rules as supervisor of hunting safety and prescribe the duties and responsibilities of the position. The commissioner shall determine and provide the enforcement division with the necessary personnel for this section.
2. (b) The commissioner may appoint one or more county directors of hunting safety in each county. An appointed county director is responsible to the enforcement division. The enforcement division may appoint instructors necessary for this section. County directors and instructors shall serve on a voluntary basis without compensation. The enforcement division must supply the materials necessary for the course.

Subd. 3. Liability insurance.

The commissioner shall obtain insurance to cover all liability incurred by the county directors and instructors for bodily injury, death, and property damage in the performance of their duties under this section.

Subd. 4. Student fee.

To defray the expense of the course, the enforcement division shall collect a fee not to exceed $5 from each person that takes the firearm safety course.

Subd. 5. Firearms safety certificate.

The commissioner shall issue a firearms safety certificate to a person that satisfactorily completes the required course of instruction. A certificate may not be issued to a person under age 12. A person that is age 11 may take the firearms safety course and may receive a firearms safety certificate at age 12. The form and content of the firearms safety certificate shall be prescribed by the commissioner.