Bill > SF1702

This bill prohibits the Minnesota Commissioner of Natural Resources from selling any state-owned land located within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which is a protected wilderness region in northeastern Minnesota. The bill defines "state-owned land" broadly to include lands acquired through various means such as condemnation, congressional grants, and other acquisitions under the commissioner's control. While the bill creates a general prohibition on land sales, it does not prevent land exchanges within the wilderness area, meaning state lands could still be traded for other lands. The bill also repeals an existing statute (section 92.82) that previously allowed for potential private sales of surplus state lands within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the United States government. The legislation is effective immediately upon final enactment and aims to preserve the wilderness area's pristine natural environment by preventing state land sales that could potentially alter the landscape or ecological integrity of this unique protected region.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1702&ssn=0&y=2025