WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SF 4781

Land monument protection fund for the public land survey system monument grant program establishment and new mortgage or deed registration fee establishment

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Dibble and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a Land Monument Protection Fund funded by a new mortgage/deed registration fee to preserve and support PLSS monuments through grants.

Referred to State and Local Government
#government-local #lands #taxation-mortgageregistryanddeed
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SF 4781

Summary of Bill SF 4781 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Overview

SF 4781 proposes the creation of a Land Monument Protection Fund tied to the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) monument grant program and establishes a new mortgage or deed registration fee. The bill is introduced and referred to the State and Local Government committee. Primary sponsors include Ann Johnson Stewart and Scott Dibble (with a co-sponsor status indicated for both).

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a dedicated fund to protect land monuments that are part of Minnesota’s Public Land Survey System.
  • Create or formalize a grant program to support PLSS monuments, enabling preservation, restoration, or protection activities at monument sites.
  • Generate revenue through a newly established mortgage or deed registration fee to support the fund and related programs.

Key Provisions (Proposed/Establishing Framework)

  • Land Monument Protection Fund: A new reserved fund intended to finance activities related to protecting PLSS monuments, which are foundational markers in the state’s land surveying system.
  • Public Land Survey System Monument Grant Program: A grant mechanism within or linked to the fund designed to provide financial support for preservation and protection projects involving PLSS monuments. This could cover activities such as:
    • Restoration or stabilization of monument markers
    • Documentation and archival efforts
    • Public education and awareness initiatives about PLSS history
    • Protective measures against vandalism or deterioration
  • Mortgage or Deed Registration Fee: A new fee assessed at the time of mortgage and/or deed registration, with the revenue dedicated to funding the Land Monument Protection Fund and related grant activities. Details typically include:
    • Fee structure (amounts or percentage)
    • Administrative rules for collection and allocation
    • Compliance and reporting requirements for counties or relevant local authorities

Note: The exact fiscal specifics (e.g., fee amounts, duration of collection, allocation formulas) are not provided in the summary; the bill would define these in its text.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • State and Local Government Entities: Likely to administer or oversee the fund, grant program, and fee collection processes. Counties that handle deed registrations would be involved in fee collection.
  • Property Owners/Deed Holders: Those recording mortgages or deeds would be subject to the new registration fee.
  • PLSS Monument Sites: Present and potential future sites that are part of Minnesota’s survey system would benefit from enhanced protection and preservation funding.
  • Grant Recipients: Organizations, government agencies, or communities applying for PLSS monument preservation grants.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduction and First Reading: March 25, 2026.
  • Committee Referral: State and Local Government committee.
  • The bill would proceed through the standard legislative process, including potential amendments, hearings, and floor votes in both chambers, before any enactment or veto considerations. Specific timelines (e.g., enactment date, effective date for the fee, or grant program start) would be defined in the bill’s full text.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Preservation Benefit: Could enhance protection and public awareness of historical PLSS monuments, contributing to historical preservation and geospatial heritage.
  • Revenue Implications: Introduces a new funding stream for monument protection via a mortgage/deed registration fee, raising questions about county implementation, fee levels, and potential impacts on property transactions.
  • Administrative Burden: Creation and administration of the grant program and fund would require governance, reporting, and oversight provisions.

If you would like, I can tailor this summary to include hypothetical fee ranges or specify potential fiscal effects once the bill’s full text is available.

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

Sign in to ask a question.