1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; requiring transfer of White Earth State Forest land 
1.3 	to White Earth Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe; modifying disposition of 
1.4 	certain tax-forfeited land; eliminating White Earth State Forest;proposing coding 
1.5 	for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282; repealing Minnesota Statutes 
1.6 	2022, section 89.021, subdivision 54.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. [282.0197] SALE OF LAND LOCATED WITHIN BOUNDARY OF WHITE 
1.9 	EARTH STATE FOREST.
1.10 	Except as provided in section 282.012, notwithstanding any other provision of this 
1.11 	chapter, a parcel of tax-forfeited land located within the boundaries of the White Earth State 
1.12 	Forest must first be offered for sale to the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa 
1.13 	Tribe before it can be offered for sale to any other party.

1.14 	Sec. 2. WHITE EARTH STATE FOREST; LAND TRANSFER.
 1.15 		Subdivision 1.Transfer required. By August 1, 2029, the commissioner of natural 
1.16 	resources must convey for no consideration all state-owned land within the boundaries of 
1.17 	the White Earth State Forest to the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, 
1.18 	except for land that:
1.19 	(1) is school trust land, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 92.025; or
1.20 	(2) is tax-forfeited land held in trust for local units of government as provided in 
1.21 	Minnesota Statutes, section 281.25.
2.1 		Subd. 2.White Earth State Forest Transfer Task Force. (a) By October 1, 2024, the 
2.2 	commissioner of natural resources must establish a White Earth State Forest Transfer Task 
2.3 	Force to make recommendations to the commissioner and the legislature for policy and law 
2.4 	changes designed to facilitate the conveyance of the following types of land located within 
2.5 	the boundaries of the White Earth State Forest to the White Earth Band:
2.6 	(1) land described in subdivision 1, clause (1) or (2); and
2.7 	(2) municipal, county, and federal land.
2.8 	(b) The task force must include seven members appointed by the commissioner, in 
2.9 	consultation with the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, and must include 
2.10 	representatives of:
2.11 	(1) the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe;
2.12 	(2) the Forestry Division of the Department of Natural Resources;
2.13 	(3) local governments located near the White Earth State Forest; and
2.14 	(4) any other parties, as determined by the commissioner.
2.15 	(c) The task force may at any time make recommendations to the commissioner and to 
2.16 	the legislature for policy and law changes and appropriations designed to facilitate the land 
2.17 	transfers described in paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (2). The task force expires and the 
2.18 	terms, compensation, and removal of members are as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.19 	15.059.

2.20 	Sec. 3. REPEALER.
 2.21 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 89.021, subdivision 54, is repealed.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 24-05997 

89.021 STATE FORESTS.Subd. 54.
White Earth State Forest.