Omnibus lands bill receives overwhelming House support

The omnibus lands bill that would authorize the sale and exchange of certain state land parcels was passed by the House 131-0 Wednesday.

Sponsored by Rep. Dale Lueck (R-Aitkin) and Sen. Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point), HF1451/SF1124* was passed by the Senate 65-0 in early April. It now heads to Gov. Mark Dayton’s desk.

Leuck said approximately 1,800 acres “would be put on the auction block” in the bill.

The legislation authorizes land sales and conveyances in the following counties:

• Beltrami
• Big Stone
• Blue Earth
• Carlton
• Cass
• Chisago
• Goodhue
• Hennepin
• Itasca
• Kandiyohi
• Lake
• Pine
• Polk
• Redwood
• Roseau
• St. Louis
• Traverse
• Washington
• Watonwan
• Wilkin

It would also make some technical changes to how land transactions are conducted, including that a state easement may be exchanged for an easement with substantially more acres if the other party waives payment for the difference.