SF 2955

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/25/2025 10:25 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; requiring the commissioner of natural resources to
renew a lease of certain state lands for maple syrup tapping; modifying terms in
maple syrup lease and permits; requiring a report to determine methods for
strengthening the maple syrup industry; appropriating money; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 89.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [89.171] MAPLE SYRUP LEASES.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding the permit procedures of sections 84.027, 89.17, 92.122, and 127A.31,
chapter 90, and any other provision of law, a lease or permit executed by the commissioner
that includes maple syrup tapping as a purpose of the lease or permit is subject to the
following requirements:
new text end

new text begin (1) the lease or permit must be for a term of not less than ten years unless the applicant
requests a shorter term;
new text end

new text begin (2) the cost of the lease or permit may not exceed the reasonable costs incurred by the
commissioner for preparing and issuing the lease or permit; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the lease or permit must not include a requirement to remove taps, containers, tubing,
or other related equipment during the term of the lease or permit.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin RENEWAL OF LEASE OF CERTAIN STATE-OWNED LAND FOR MAPLE
SYRUP TAPPING.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, by October 1, 2025, the commissioner of
natural resources must offer a new lease to any person who has been a lessee of state-owned
land for the purpose of maple syrup tapping during any portion of the two years preceding
the effective date of this act. The new lease must be issued under the same terms and
conditions as the previous lease and must not include a requirement to remove taps,
containers, tubing, or other related equipment during the term of the lease. The commissioner
must offer to renew the lease for successive ten-year terms unless a lease entered into under
this section is materially breached or until the previous lessee declines or is no longer able
to enter into a renewal lease.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; REPORT ON METHODS TO STRENGTHEN MAPLE
SYRUP INDUSTRY.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
natural resources to develop the report required by this section. By February 1, 2026, the
commissioner of natural resources must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over natural resources on methods
for strengthening Minnesota's maple syrup industry. The commissioner must work with
members of Minnesota's maple syrup industry and other stakeholders in developing the
report, and the report must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) an explanation of how the maple syrup industry interacts with the state's natural
resources and how sustainable its use of those resources is compared to other natural
resources industries;
new text end

new text begin (2) recommendations for statutory and policy changes that would strengthen Minnesota's
maple syrup industry;
new text end

new text begin (3) options for creating a board, task force, or other body that could serve as a forum
for the industry to discuss maple syrup industry issues with the natural resources regulators;
new text end

new text begin (4) a review of current best practices for maple syrup tapping in Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (5) identification of obstacles to strengthening the state's maple syrup industry and
suggested remedies, when available; and
new text end

new text begin (6) any other information that the commissioner, in consultation with the industry and
stakeholders, deems relevant.
new text end