Bill > SF2199

This bill modifies Minnesota's property tax valuation rules for land with conservation restrictions or easements. Currently, property with a recorded conservation restriction or easement cannot have its value reduced by an assessor unless specific conditions are met. The bill expands exceptions to this rule, now allowing value reductions for conservation restrictions or easements in metropolitan counties, as well as in nonmetropolitan counties that have passed a resolution authorizing their assessors to consider such restrictions' impact on property value. The bill also excludes certain types of conservation restrictions from the valuation reduction prohibition, such as riparian buffer easements used for water quantity or quality control, and easements in counties with existing farmland protection programs. Additionally, the bill makes these changes effective for assessment years beginning in 2026, updating language to use more modern legal phrasing (replacing words like "shall" with "must" and "which" with "that"). The primary goal appears to be providing more flexibility for property owners and local assessors in valuing land with conservation limitations.

Budget and Finance

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2199&ssn=0&y=2025