Minnesota Session Laws - 2001, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 149-S.F.No. 960 
                  An act relating to iron range resources and 
                  rehabilitation; authorizing the commissioner to 
                  acquire certain discontinued mining property; amending 
                  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 298.22, subdivision 3.
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 298.22, 
        subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
           Subd. 3.  [COMMISSIONER MAY ACQUIRE PROPERTY.] Whenever the 
        commissioner of iron range resources and rehabilitation has made 
        determinations required by subdivision 1 and has determined that 
        distress and unemployment exists or may exist in the future in 
        any county by reason of the removal of the natural resources or 
        a possible limited use thereof in the future and the decrease in 
        employment resulting therefrom and deems that the acquirement of 
        real estate or personal property is necessary and proper in the 
        development of the remaining resources, the commissioner may 
        acquire such property or interests therein by gift, purchase, or 
        lease.  The commissioner may purchase insurance to protect any 
        property acquired from loss or damage by fire, or to protect the 
        commissioner from any liability the commissioner may incur by 
        reason of ownership of the property, or both.  If after such 
        property is acquired it is necessary in the judgment of the 
        commissioner to acquire a right-of-way for access to projects 
        operated on property acquired, by gift, purchase, or lease, said 
        right-of-way may be acquired by condemnation in the manner 
        provided by law.  If the owner or operator of an iron mine or 
        related production or beneficiation facilities discontinues the 
        operation of the mine or facilities for any reason, the 
        commissioner may acquire any or all of the mine lands and 
        related facilities by gift, purchase, lease, or condemnation in 
        the manner provided in chapter 117. 
           Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
           Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment. 
           Presented to the governor May 17, 2001 
           Signed by the governor May 21, 2001, 10:55 a.m.