SF 4962

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/26/2026 03:21 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; requiring extensions of certain timber permits;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 90.101, subdivision 2; 90.151,
subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 90.101, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Sale list and notice.

At least 30 days before the date of sale, the commissioner
shall compile a list containing a description of each tract of land upon which any timber to
be offered is situated and a statement of the estimated quantity of timber new text begin , an assessment of
whether the permit will require frozen ground access, new text end and new text begin a statement new text end of the appraised price
of each kind of timber thereon as shown by the report of the state appraiser. No description
shall be added after the list is posted and no timber shall be sold from land not described in
the list. Copies of the list must be furnished to all interested applicants. At least 30 days
before the date of sale, a copy of the list must be posted on the Internet or conspicuously
posted in the forest office or other public facility most accessible to potential bidders. The
commissioner may give other published or posted notice as the commissioner deems proper
to reach prospective bidders.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 90.151, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Issuance; expiration.

(a) Following receipt of the down payment for
state timber required under section 90.14 or 90.191, the commissioner shall issue a numbered
permit to the purchaser, in a format approved by the commissioner, by the terms of which
the purchaser is authorized to enter upon the land and to cut and remove the timber described
in the permit as designated for cutting in the report of the state appraiser, according to the
provisions of this chapter. The permit must be correctly dated and executed by the
commissioner and signed by the purchaser. If a permit is not signed by the purchaser within
45 days from the date of purchase, the permit cancels and the down payment for timber
required under section 90.14 forfeits to the state. The commissioner may grant an additional
period for the purchaser to sign the permit, not to exceed ten business days, provided the
purchaser pays a $200 penalty fee.

(b) The permit expires no later than five years after the date of sale as the commissioner
shall specify or as specified under section 90.191, and the timber must be cut and removed
within the time specified. If additional time is needed, the permit holder must request, before
the expiration date, and may be granted, for good and sufficient reasons, up to 90 additional
days for the completion of skidding, hauling, and removing all equipment and buildings.
All cut timber, equipment, and buildings not removed from the land after expiration of the
permit becomes the property of the state.

(c) The commissioner may grant additional time not to exceed 240 days for removing
cut timber, equipment, and buildings upon receipt of a written request by the permit holder
for good and sufficient reasons. The permit holder may combine in the written request under
this paragraph the request for additional time under paragraph (b).

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), if during sale preparation and documentation under
section 90.101, subdivision 2, timber removal on one or more tracts is deemed by the
designated state appraiser to require frozen ground access to properly access, the permit
must be for a term of at least four years and end on May 31 of the fifth year.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin TIMBER PERMITS; EXTENSION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, an "eligible permit" is an
unexpired timber permit issued before March 1, 2026, regardless of the permit's expiration
date or whether the permit has previously been extended. To be eligible under this section,
a permit holder must not be delinquent or have an active willful trespass with the state.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Extensions. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 90, upon written request to the commissioner of natural resources by the
holder of an eligible permit submitted before the permit expires, the commissioner must
grant an extension of the permit for one year without penalty or interest.
new text end