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HF2578 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Provisions for annexing unincorporated property modified, and property owners eligible to petition for annexation clarified.

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to amend laws in Minnesota regarding the process of annexing unincorporated property. It seeks to clarify the roles and eligibility of property owners who can petition for annexation.

Main Provisions

  • Initiation of Annexation: The bill outlines the process for starting the annexation of unincorporated property that borders a municipality. This can be initiated by submitting a resolution or petition to the chief administrative law judge and the affected township.

  • Methods of Initiation:

    1. A resolution from the municipality seeking annexation.
    2. A resolution from the township where the property is located.
    3. A petition supported by 20% of the property owners or 100 property owners, whichever is fewer, in the area to be annexed.
    4. Coordinated resolutions from both the municipal council and the township board to annex the entire township.

  • Petition Details: The petition must clearly define the boundaries of the proposed annexation area, identify all parties entitled to notice under relevant laws, and outline the reasons for the annexation request.

  • Municipality Support: If the annexation process is initiated by a property owners’ petition, it must be accompanied by a supportive resolution from the annexing municipality.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Exclusion of Certain Property Owners: The bill introduces a new exclusion. Owners or operators of facilities that mine aggregate materials, as defined by section 298.75, are not eligible to initiate annexation proceedings. This means these owners cannot use the petition process to advocate for annexation.

Relevant Terms

  • Annexation, unincorporated property, municipality, township, administrative law judge, property owners, aggregate materials, mining facility.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 19, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification on the eligibility of property owners to petition for annexation."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends provisions related to annexing unincorporated property, particularly regarding the initiation process for annexation under section 414.031, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "414.031",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "References section 298.75 in relation to defining aggregate material for mining facilities.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "298.75",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Sponsors