New laws effective July 1 concern fishing, booster seats and more

Age has its privileges and — beginning July 1 — you can add one more to the list. A Minnesota law will take effect Wednesday allowing people age 90 and older to fish without a license.

Gene Jeseritz of the Department of Natural Resources’ Hutchinson office believes the law could encourage some seniors on fixed incomes and limited budgets to partake in the pleasures of fishing.

“I guess if you reach 90 years, you ought to be able to fish if you can get out there,” Jeseritz said.

Also effective July 1, Minnesota residents discharged from active federal military service during the past two years can get a free license to hunt deer.

In addition, children riding in a motor vehicle must now be in a child passenger restraint system until their 8th birthday or until they reach a height of 4 feet, 9 inches. Violation of the law will be a petty misdemeanor, with drivers fined up to $50. But, the fine can be waived if drivers prove they have purchased a child-restraint system within 14 days.

For more highlights of laws taking effect July 1, see Leader’s June 30 print edition.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)