Purpose

This bill would require formal approval from both the Minnesota Legislature and the county where property is located before any state-funded purchase of land in fee simple. In other words, if state money is used to buy land outright, the purchase cannot go forward without legislative consent and local county approval.

Main Provisions

• Prohibition on state-funded fee simple land purchases: No one, government entity, or organization may acquire real property in fee if state money is used unless specifically approved by the legislature during a regular session and by the county board where the property sits.
• Multi-county properties: If the land touches more than one county, the approval must come from the boards of commissioners in all the counties where the property is located.
• Voter referendum option: Instead of or in addition to a formal approval process, a county board may place the decision to a public vote through a ballot question under a separate state law (section 375.20).
• Statutory change: Creates a new requirement in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 16B, under a new section (16B.2971) titled “Acquiring Real Property in Fee – Approval.”

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a dual-approval requirement (legislative and county) for state-funded fee simple land acquisitions.
• Adds a layer of local-government participation (county boards) in decisions regarding state-funded land purchases.
• Applies a potential voter referendum pathway to such acquisitions via ballot questions.
• Establishes new statutory language in Minnesota Statutes chapter 16B to govern these approvals.

Potential Implications

• Increases oversight and potential delays for state-funded land purchases.
• Creates coordination and possible veto points between state-level and local governments, especially for multi-county properties.
• Gives counties a direct mechanism to refer major land purchases to voters.

Relevant Terms

state money; acquire real property in fee; real property; fee simple ownership; legislature; board of commissioners; county; county boards of commissioners; multi-county property; ballot question; section 375.20; Minnesota Statutes; chapter 16B; 16B.2971; Acquiring Real Property in Fee – Approval; regular session.