SF 3480

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/12/2024 05:14pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; requiring transfer of White Earth State Forest land
to White Earth Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe; modifying disposition of
certain tax-forfeited land; eliminating White Earth State Forest; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282; repealing Minnesota Statutes
2022, section 89.021, subdivision 54.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [282.0197] SALE OF LAND LOCATED WITHIN BOUNDARY OF WHITE
EARTH STATE FOREST.
new text end

new text begin Except as provided in section 282.012, notwithstanding any other provision of this
chapter, a parcel of tax-forfeited land located within the boundaries of the White Earth State
Forest must first be offered for sale to the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa
Tribe before it can be offered for sale to any other party.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin WHITE EARTH STATE FOREST; LAND TRANSFER.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Transfer required. new text end

new text begin By August 1, 2029, the commissioner of natural
resources must convey for no consideration all state-owned land within the boundaries of
the White Earth State Forest to the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe,
except for land that:
new text end

new text begin (1) is school trust land, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 92.025; or
new text end

new text begin (2) is tax-forfeited land held in trust for local units of government as provided in
Minnesota Statutes, section 281.25.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin White Earth State Forest Transfer Task Force. new text end

new text begin (a) By October 1, 2024, the
commissioner of natural resources must establish a White Earth State Forest Transfer Task
Force to make recommendations to the commissioner and the legislature for policy and law
changes designed to facilitate the conveyance of the following types of land located within
the boundaries of the White Earth State Forest to the White Earth Band:
new text end

new text begin (1) land described in subdivision 1, clause (1) or (2); and
new text end

new text begin (2) municipal, county, and federal land.
new text end

new text begin (b) The task force must include seven members appointed by the commissioner, in
consultation with the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, and must include
representatives of:
new text end

new text begin (1) the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe;
new text end

new text begin (2) the Forestry Division of the Department of Natural Resources;
new text end

new text begin (3) local governments located near the White Earth State Forest; and
new text end

new text begin (4) any other parties, as determined by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (c) The task force may at any time make recommendations to the commissioner and to
the legislature for policy and law changes and appropriations designed to facilitate the land
transfers described in paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (2). The task force expires and the
terms, compensation, and removal of members are as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section
15.059.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 89.021, subdivision 54, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 24-05997

89.021 STATE FORESTS.

Subd. 54.

White Earth State Forest.