February 22, 2023
Rep. Rick Hansen’s Statement on Gov. Walz Signing State Lands Bill
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, Governor Walz signed HF 50, also known as the state lands bill, into law. The state lands bill allows the Department of Natural Resources and certain counties to sell parcels of land that no longer serve their original conservation or recreation purpose and acquire necessary additions to increase access to parks.
The bill was authored by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul) and Sen. Foung Hawj (DFL – St. Paul). It passed the House on February 2 on a vote of 128-0 and the Senate on February 20 on a vote of 64-0.
“Minnesotans value their state lands, parks, and forests,” Rep. Hansen said, “State lands bills such as this are noncontroversial, bipartisan, and used to be passed yearly. We are moving swiftly to clean up and catch up on unfinished business that stalled under a divided government. I was proud to pass this bill with unanimous support and thank the Senate and the Governor for acting quickly to make this bill law.”
More information on the legislation can be found on the House of Representatives website.
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