1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; modifying terms for certain timber permits.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. TIMBER PERMITS; ADDRESSING MARKET CHANGES.
 1.5 	(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 90.151, all unexpired timber permits 
1.6 	issued before January 1, 2021, are extended two years beyond the expiration date specified 
1.7 	in the permit.
1.8 	(b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, chapter 90, the holder of a permit to cut and 
1.9 	remove timber issued under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 90, before January 1, 2021, may 
1.10 	surrender the permit for cancellation to the commissioner of natural resources for a full 
1.11 	refund of the permit down payment and security deposit if:
1.12 	(1) the timber authorized to be cut under the permit is comprised of at least 25 percent 
1.13 	spruce, balsam, or birch; and
1.14 	(2) the permit holder has not begun cutting timber under the permit.
1.15 	(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, chapter 90, when the holder of a permit to cut 
1.16 	and remove timber issued under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 90, has begun cutting timber 
1.17 	under the permit, the permit holder may surrender the permit for cancellation to the 
1.18 	commissioner of natural resources under the terms of paragraph (d) if the timber authorized 
1.19 	to be cut under the permit is comprised of at least 25 percent spruce, balsam, or birch.
1.20 	(d) To be eligible for surrender under paragraph (c), the permit must have been issued 
1.21 	before January 1, 2021. The permit holder is liable to the state for the scaled value of the 
2.1 	timber cut and is entitled to a refund of the permit down payment only to the extent the 
2.2 	amount exceeds the amount due the state. Surrender under paragraph (c) is not a default for 
2.3 	purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 90.161. The permit holder is entitled to a return of 
2.4 	the security deposit if the permit holder's financial obligations to the state are fulfilled 
2.5 	according to a statement issued by the commissioner of natural resources under Minnesota 
2.6 	Statutes, section 90.181.