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SSB 1198

A bill for an act relating to restrictions on the acquisition of real property by the department of natural resources.

2025-2026 Regular Session

DNR would be limited to acquiring real property only from willing donors or sellers (not at public auctions) or via approved nonprofit-backed purchases aligned with conservation pl

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 553.
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Bill Summary · SSB 1198

Summary: SSB 1198 (renumbered SF 553) — Restrictions on Acquisition of Real Property by the Department of Natural Resources

Overview

SSB 1198 proposes new limitations on how the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) can acquire real property. The bill would generally prohibit DNR from purchasing property at public auctions and would require acquisitions to come from willing donors or sellers, with price constraints when dealing with nonprofit entities. An exception allows acquisitions at auction or from nonprofits if the purchase supports a local or statewide conservation or recreation plan and is approved by the commission. The bill also clarifies that gifts to the commission may be used for parks, subject to existing limitations.

Status and movement:
- Introduced: March 3, 2025
- Subcommittee: Recommended amendment and passage (March 4, 2025)
- Committee: Report approving the bill (March 5, 2025)
- Renumbering: Renumbered as SF 553 and designated as a proposed bill in the committee report

Key Provisions

Section 461A.10A — Restrictions on acquiring real property

  • DNR shall not acquire real property that is available for sale at a public auction.
  • Acquisitions must come only from:
    • Willing donors, or
    • Willing sellers who are not under compulsion by DNR.
  • When dealing with a nonprofit corporation that directly purchased property for sale at a public auction, DNR shall not acquire the property for more than its appraised value.
  • An exception permits acquisition of property that is:
    • Available for sale at a public auction or acquired by a nonprofit that purchased at auction, and
    • In furtherance of a local or statewide conservation or recreation plan and approved by the commission.
  • Definition of “auction” includes electronic auctions, sealed-bid auctions, and conventional oral auctions.

Section 461A.11(1) — Gifts and use of land

  • The commission may accept gifts of land or other property, subject to the constraints of 461A.10.
  • The commission may use lands or property for a term of years, and improve and use the land as public state parks.

Who Is Affected

  • Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
  • Nonprofit corporations that acquire land at public auctions
  • Donors and sellers of real property to DNR
  • The Commission (as the approving body for conservation or recreation plans)
  • Public land buyers and users who may be affected by park and conservation planning

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: March 3, 2025
  • Subcommittee action: March 4, 2025 (amendment and passage recommended)
  • Committee action: March 5, 2025 (committee report approving; bill renumbered to SF 553)
  • Next steps (typical legislative path): Passage by the full chamber, consideration by the other chamber, and potential governor/signature, depending on the state’s legislative process

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Strengthens DNR oversight over land acquisitions by prohibiting auctions and imposing donor/seller consent and appraised-value limits.
  • Could slow or redirect land acquisitions toward gifts and negotiated purchases aligned with conservation/recreation planning.
  • Creates a formal mechanism to ensure acquisitions align with state or local conservation goals, subject to commission approval.
  • Expands the scope of what constitutes an “auction” (including electronic and sealed-bid formats) and clarifies the treatment of nonprofit-purchased property.
  • May affect timing and cost management of conservation initiatives, depending on availability of willing donors/sellers and approved plans.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to emphasize how the bill interacts with current DNR acquisition practices or compare it to existing statutes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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