The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, specifically section 273.124, subdivision 14, to expand the definition of qualified relatives for special agricultural homestead classification. The new legal language includes the addition of "grandparent, stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, or stepparent" as eligible relatives who can actively farm the agricultural property alongside the owner or their spouse. This change aims to broaden the scope of who can participate in agricultural homesteading, thereby potentially increasing the number of properties that qualify for this classification.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that agricultural land and buildings classified as class 2a homestead property for the 1997, 1998, 2007, and 2008 assessments will retain their classification for subsequent assessments under certain conditions, such as abandonment due to natural disasters and maintaining ownership. The bill also introduces a requirement for an initial full application to be submitted to the county assessor, with a simplified one-page reapplication process for subsequent years if specific criteria remain unchanged. The effective date for these changes is set to begin with the assessment year 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 273.124