1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to taxation; property; allowing valuation reductions for conservation 
1.3 	easements;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 273.117.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 273.117, is amended to read:
1.6 	273.117 CONSERVATION PROPERTY TAX VALUATION.
1.7 	The value of real property which is subject to a conservation restriction or easement 
1.8 	shall not be reduced by the assessor if:
1.9 	(a) the restriction or easement is for a conservation purpose and is recorded on the 
1.10 	property; and
1.11 	(b) the property is being used in accordance with the terms of the conservation restriction 
1.12 	or easement.
1.13 	This section does not apply to:
1.14 	(1) conservation restrictions or easements covering riparian buffers along lakes, rivers, 
1.15 	and streams that are used for water quantity or quality control;
1.16 	(2) easements in a county that has adopted, by referendum, a program to protect farmland 
1.17 	and natural areas since 1999;
1.18 	(3) conservation restrictions or easements in metropolitan counties;
1.19 	(4) conservation restrictions or easements in nonmetropolitan counties which have, by 
1.20 	resolution, authorized the assessor to consider the impact of conservation restrictions or 
1.21 	easements on the property's value; or
2.1 	(3) (5) conservation restrictions or easements entered into prior to May 23, 2013.