Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to provide financial support to Minnesota counties for cleaning up blight and environmental contamination on properties that are tax-forfeited or tax-foreclosed. These properties are either owned by the county or held in trust by the state.

Main Provisions

• Grant Program Establishment: The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency is directed to establish a grant program. This program will help counties address and remediate issues on tax-forfeited or tax-foreclosed properties.

• Eligible Uses for Grants: The grants awarded can be used for:

  1. Remediation of environmental contamination on these properties.
  2. Conducting related testing and monitoring.
  3. Correcting blighted conditions to improve public safety, health, and the environment.

• Application Process: Counties interested in the grant must apply using a form provided by the commissioner. The application must include:

  1. A description and proof of public ownership of the property.
  2. Results of any environmental testing or reasons for suspecting contamination.
  3. Evidence of blight or unsafe conditions.
  4. A detailed remediation plan along with cost estimates.
  5. Information on any previously or currently used funds for property issues.
  6. Additional information as required by the commissioner.

• Grant Award Criteria: The commissioner can adjust the proposed plans from counties and will consider factors such as the county's financial ability to execute the plan without the grant, previous expenditures on the property for maintenance, and the need to distribute benefits statewide.

Significant Changes

• This bill introduces a new statutory section (Minnesota Statutes chapter 115B) specifically focused on the environmental cleanup of tax-forfeited and tax-foreclosed properties, thereby offering a systematic approach to handle such properties across Minnesota.

Funding

• The bill includes appropriations from the state's general fund for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support the grant program, ensuring financial resources are available to implement the program.

Relevant Terms

• Pollution Control Agency
• Grants
• Tax-forfeited properties
• Tax-foreclosed properties
• Environmental contamination
• Blight conditions
• Public safety
• Remediation