Purpose of the Bill

This legislative bill aims to address environmental issues by providing financial support to counties in Minnesota to clean up blight and environmental contamination on properties that have been forfeited to the state due to unpaid taxes.

Main Provisions

• Grant Program Establishment: The bill mandates the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency to create a grant program to assist counties with the cleanup of tax-forfeited and tax-foreclosed properties.
• Grant Usage: Counties can use these grants for remediating environmental contamination, conducting necessary testing and monitoring, and correcting blighted conditions on affected properties.
• Application Requirements: Counties must apply to the Pollution Control Agency using a specific form, including:
  • A detailed description and proof of public ownership of the property.
  • Test results or evidence of hazardous substances or pollutants.
  • Evidence of blight or substandard structures that pose safety, health, or environmental risks.
  • A proposed remediation plan with cost estimates and details of non-grant funding contributions.

Significant Changes

• New State Program: This bill proposes a new section in Minnesota Statutes (chapter 115B) to specifically address remediation of environmentally damaged properties that have been forfeited due to tax issues.

• Statewide Access: It includes provisions to ensure that counties across all regions can benefit from the program, promoting statewide environmental health and safety.

Relevant Terms

• Environmental remediation
• Blight conditions
• Tax-forfeited properties
• Tax-foreclosed properties
• Pollution Control Agency
• Hazardous substances
• Public safety and health
• Grant program