Loading ...Green Acres Update
The Minnesota Legislature is working on fixing changes made to the Green Acres program. The changes, which occurred last year, redefined what land was allowed in the program and means higher costs for landowners who decided to leave their land to family members or different landowners. On Monday, the House rejected the Senates provisions to the program. Representative Tim Faust (DFL-Hinckley) says a final solution on repealing changes to the program still may come this week.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Representative Rob Eastlund (R-Isanti) spoke on the bill Monday. Eastlund, who in January introduced legislations repealing the revisions, says he want to see more urgency on moving the bill forward.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
A House-Senate conference committee will decide whether a repeal of the 2008 provisions will come back to each chamber.
Part of the changes include a seven-year payback of taxes, if ownership of the land changes hands. Also, the definition of what land qualifies for Green Acres changed to “productive farmland,” which is considered land that produces a crop.