Subdivision 1. Creation. The Minnesota adopt-a-park program is established. The commissioner shall coordinate the program through the regional offices of the Department of Natural Resources.

Subd. 2. Purpose. The purpose of the program is to encourage business and civic groups or individuals to assist, on a volunteer basis, in improving and maintaining state parks, state recreation areas, monuments, historic sites, and trails.

Subd. 3. Agreements. (a) The commissioner shall enter into informal agreements with business and civic groups or individuals for volunteer services to maintain and make improvements to real and personal property in state parks, monuments, historic sites, and trails in accordance with plans devised by the commissioner after consultation with the groups.

(b) The commissioner may erect appropriate signs to recognize and express appreciation to groups and individuals providing volunteer services under the adopt-a-park program.

(c) The commissioner may provide assistance to enhance the comfort and safety of volunteers and to facilitate the implementation and administration of the adopt-a-park program.

Subd. 4. Worker displacement prohibited. The commissioner may not enter into any agreement that has the purpose of or results in the displacement of public employees by volunteers participating in the adopt-a-park program under this section. The commissioner must certify to the appropriate bargaining agent that the work performed by a volunteer will not result in the displacement of currently employed workers or workers on seasonal layoff or layoff from a substantially equivalent position, including partial displacement such as reduction in hours of nonovertime work, wages, or other employment benefits.

History: 1991 c 242 s 1; 1993 c 172 s 36; 1997 c 187 art 3 s 22