Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to allocate funds for the condemnation of specific lands in Cass County, Minnesota, and authorizes the transfer of those lands to a federally recognized Indian Tribe at no cost. The purpose is to return the lands, deemed surplus and not needed for state natural resource purposes, to Tribal ownership.

Main Provisions

• Funding Allocation: The bill appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 from the state fund to cover costs associated with the condemnation of the specified lands. The allocation covers expenses such as valuation, legal fees, and transaction personnel costs.

• Land Condemnation and Transfer: The Commissioner of Natural Resources is empowered to use these funds to initiate condemnation proceedings on the specified land in Cass County.

• Transfer to Tribe: The land, once condemned, may be conveyed to a federally recognized Indian Tribe for no compensation. This includes the authority to make necessary amendments to legal descriptions to ensure accuracy.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Exemption from Existing Statutes: The bill allows for the transfer of the land notwithstanding existing Minnesota Statutes sections 92.45, 94.09 to 94.16, or any other related provisions. This specifically facilitates the non-traditional transfer of state surplus land to Tribal ownership without any financial consideration.

Relevant Terms

• Condemnation
• Cass County
• Federally Recognized Indian Tribe
• Natural Resources
• Land Transfer