Public Land Lessees in Minnesota May Need Surety Bond

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�public land lessees

Public land lessees in Minnesota may need a surety bond following SF 1124‘s passage in May. The bill was passed on May 12 and took effect on May 13, 2017.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) can issue permits or leases allowing the permitted party to use state-owned land “for any purpose which that in the commissioner’s opinion is not inconsistent with the maintenance and management of the forest lands, on forestry principles for timber production.†This means the commissioner of the DNR can allow individuals to use public forests, via lease or permit, for purposes the Commissioner deems in accordance with the DNR’s mission. The length of the lease or permit cannot be longer than 21 years without the approval of the Executive Council.

Those issued a permit or lease to use state land may be required by the commissioner of the DNR to purchase a performance surety bond for removing anything left on the land by public land lessees or permit holders after their lease or permit expires or is canceled or revoked. If the lessee or permit holder does not leave any personal property behind, the state would not have a reason to make a claim on the performance bond.

Current law mandates that while state land is leased, public access to the land will not change. Current law also states that the approval of the Commissioner of the Department of Administration is not required to grant a lease or permit.

In addition to adding a surety bond provision for public land lessees, SF 1124 introduces regulations for the public and private sale of tax-forfeited lands in several Minnesota counties.

Ready to get bonded in Minnesota? Get in touch with Single Source Insurance today!

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