This bill authorizes Itasca County to conduct private sales of tax-forfeited lands that border public waters, deviating from existing public sale requirements. Specifically, the bill allows the county to sell up to ten percent of such lands, as defined by the effective date of the legislation, under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282. The sales must be conducted in a manner approved by the attorney general, and this authority is in addition to any existing powers the county has regarding the sale of tax-forfeited lands. The county has expressed that returning these lands to private ownership aligns with its land management interests.

The new provision will remain in effect until June 30, 2027, after which the authority to conduct these private sales will expire. This legislative change aims to provide Itasca County with greater flexibility in managing its tax-forfeited lands, particularly those adjacent to public waters, while ensuring that the process adheres to the necessary legal frameworks.