Minnesota House Bill HF528

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/25
• Refer: 2/13/25

Caption

Acquisition of land prohibited for flood control or water retention under certain circumstances.

Summary

HF528 would create a new section of Minnesota Statutes chapter 16B to limit who may acquire property for certain flood control or water retention projects. Under the bill, an agency or nonprofit organization could not acquire real property in fee simple or by easement for a flood control or water retention project if the state already owns land within the project area. The bill defines such a project as one whose primary purpose is to hold water on the land or otherwise prevent flooding. In practical terms, the measure would restrict land acquisition for these projects when state-owned land is already part of the affected area. It does not authorize new programs or funding; instead, it creates a prohibition that would apply to state agencies and nonprofit entities involved in flood mitigation or water-retention efforts. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy, and no further action, votes, or amendments are provided in the available record.

Impact

The bill would add a new statutory restriction in Minnesota law governing property acquisition for flood control and water retention projects. It would affect state agencies and nonprofit organizations by barring them from obtaining fee title or easements in project areas that include state-owned land, potentially limiting project design, land assembly, and implementation in flood-prone areas. The bill would be codified in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 16B, as section 16B.2971.

Sentiment

Based on the available record, the bill appears to have been introduced without recorded committee debate or votes, so there is no documented public sentiment in the materials provided. The referral to the environment and natural resources committee suggests the issue is being treated as a land-use and natural resources policy matter, but the absence of transcripts or vote history means support and opposition cannot be reliably assessed from the record.

Contention

The main point of contention implied by the bill is whether agencies and nonprofits should be allowed to acquire land or easements for flood control or water retention projects when the state already owns land in the project area. Supporters may view the restriction as protecting state land interests and limiting unnecessary acquisition, while opponents may argue it could hinder flood mitigation, water management, or conservation projects. No specific legislators, agencies, or stakeholder groups are identified in the available materials.