Legislative Accomplishments in 2010
This year MSRPO provided advocacy in areas outside of property
taxes alone. While property taxes remain the top concern of
seasonal property owners, other issues like water quality,
development patterns, and legacy issues are also important to MSRPO
members. Our broadened focus is not a case of mission drift, but a
response to member needs. The good news is that MSRPO made major
gains on a variety of fronts last session.
Most importantly, despite more than a billion dollars of deficit
last year, MSRPO was able to achieve some property tax relief.
Taxes/Property Rights
Leased Land
After three years, MSRPO was successful in removing lands
covered by special federal special use permits from the Minnesota
property tax.
Minnesota was double dipping on these people and it was wrong.
Beginning next year the land will be exempt, but property taxes may
still be levied on the structures located on these federal
lands.
Special thanks to Rep. Dittrich and Senator Saxhaug for carrying
this legislation.
School Trust Land
Minnesota's schools, particularly in rural areas, are
struggling. MSRPO has set about finding solutions, not only for
property owners, but for local communities.
As the 2010 session drew to a close, Rep. Dittrich, Rep.
Rukavina, MSRPO and the MN School Board Association worked to amend
several bills to establish a dedicated lands analyst and advisor to
oversee school trust lands. Two bills emerged, but neither survived
the conference committee.
Instead compromise language passed the Heritage and Environment
appropriations bill that requires a complete accounting of the
DNR's management of our School Trust Lands. MSRPO will be back next
session to push for a rational approach to managing Minnesota's
school trust lands that benefits Minnesota's children while
protecting the environment.
Vacation home rental
This year the effort to regulate the occasional or infrequent
rental of cabins was led by the MN Department of Health supported
by the Resort Owners Association and Hospitality Minnesota. The
bill languished in the House Health and Human Services Committee.
MSRPO remains willing to compromise on a bill that would protect
both the rights of property owners and public safety, but the
occasional, infrequent rental of cabins must remain protected.