---

The Minnesota legislative session ended on deadline May 19, but a number of hopes for local actions were left unaddressed.  

On the bright side, there was one unanimously adopted bill addressing the Tyler lawsuit ruling on tax forfeit land disposition.  Counties had lobbied for this to set aside money and a system for correcting past practices.

The finer points of the new law are being reviewed by Chisago County Auditor Treasurer Bridgitte Konrad and management.  The state calls for reports and an inventory with information on each county’s tax forfeit scenario. The county must opt out by August, if it can not effectuate the agreement  with the state,  or it is automatically in the program created by the bill.  Konrad said there will be more review of Chisago county’s participation later.

In excess of $100 million is earmarked through House File 5246, to help counties with potential financial liability due to following the law on sale of tax forfeited parcels.  

The new lawsuit based correction sets the stage for property owners to file for any money they feel they are due in excess sale proceeds. Historically the county retained any revenues over and above the amount that was tax-forfeit. 

Potential claims will be covered by the State of MN if an affected county elects to participate in House File 5246, which was passed 66-0 and 127-0 and has been signed by Governor Walz.   

The lawsuit settlement in Tyler versus Hennepin County affects all Minnesota counties following state law.  In February 2024 the retention of any proceeds beyond the past due property tax and costs for facilitating the sale—was ruled not Constitutional.  Counties could be liable for claims of due money from before January 2024 (lawsuit.)

Counties now will be able to seek help addressing any claims for payments going back to June 23, 2016.

Chisago County legislators were approached by local officials for supporting many other measures, in addition to financial help with the tax forfeit issue.

 A few requests seemed to  get some early traction, but fizzled out. 

This included a request for aid to construct the new Lakes Area Police Public Safety Center, there was an effort seeking funds related to the repair and replacement of the lake level weir system on the Chisago Chain (flood mitigation monies). North Branch sought planning and design aid for an interchange across the freeway at 400th Street, the Rush City Prison was in an early version of a Capital Plan for about $47 million for renovations and additional education and training space to accommodate prison population growth.  None were resolved.

Interim City Administrator Jason Ziemer in North Branch reviewed legislative non-actions in a meeting immediately after session-ended, with his Economic Development Authority,  and said the interchange needs to be embraced by MNDOT as a priority project and a “regional issue.”  

The city was starting on the ground floor of what is a multi-level process when it came to requesting funds in St Paul, but North Branch will keep working at connecting with non-local legislators and advocate on the city’s behalf, Ziemer promised.

---