Constitutional amendment proposal to require a supermajority vote of the legislature to convey certain state land for less than market value
Impact
If passed, the proposed amendment would create a substantial hurdle for future legislative actions regarding state land transactions. The requirement for a supermajority vote means that bipartisan support would be necessary for any such conveyances, potentially leading to fewer low-cost transactions. This may impact how the state handles its land assets and could discourage the conveyance of property that could be valuable for public or private development.
Summary
SF436 proposes an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, specifically adding a section to article IV. This proposed amendment mandates that any law authorizing the conveyance of state land exceeding 640 acres for less than its market value must receive a supermajority vote of three-fifths from the members of each legislative house. This initiative aims to increase legislative scrutiny over significant land transactions, particularly those involving state-owned property being sold or conveyed at a price deemed less than market value.
Contention
The bill may encounter opposition based on concerns over its practicality and implications for economic development. Advocates argue that the amendment safeguards public resources from undervalued deals, while critics may contend that the supermajority requirement could lead to bureaucratic delays or an inability to reallocate land for critical infrastructure or community needs. The bill's passage may also lead to discussions about state land management practices and the balance of local versus state oversight in land use decisions.
Similar To
Supermajority vote of the legislature required to convey certain state land for less than market value, and constitutional amendment proposed.
Requirements for conveying easements and leasing state lands modification; state forest and state park modifications; sales and conveyances of certain land authorization
Easement and state land conveying and leasing requirements modified, state forests added to and deleted from, state parks added to, and sale and conveyance of land authorized.