H.F. 2262 Section 1. NEW SECTION . 6A.15 Property designated as native 1 prairie or a protected wetland or established as a forest or 2 fruit-tree reservation. 3 1. The following types of property shall not be condemned 4 by the state or a political subdivision of the state unless a 5 joint resolution authorizing commencement of the condemnation 6 proceedings is approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of 7 the members elected to each house of the general assembly and 8 signed by the governor: 9 a. Property designated as native prairie or as a protected 10 wetland by the department of natural resources pursuant 11 to section 456B.12 for which the owner has obtained a tax 12 exemption as provided in section 427.1, subsection 23. 13 b. Property established as a forest reservation or a 14 fruit-tree reservation pursuant to chapter 427C for which the 15 owner has obtained a tax exemption as provided in section 16 427C.1. 17 2. Property designated as native prairie or as a protected 18 wetland or established as a forest reservation or a fruit-tree 19 reservation which is subject to a property tax exemption as 20 provided in subsection 1 shall not be removed from eligibility 21 for tax-exempt status solely for the purpose of allowing 22 acquisition of the property by condemnation. 23 EXPLANATION 24 This bill requires that property designated as native 25 prairie or a protected wetland or property established as a 26 forest or a fruit-tree reservation for which the owner has 27 obtained a property tax exemption cannot be condemned by the 28 state or a political subdivision unless a joint resolution 29 authorizing condemnation proceedings is approved by a 30 two-thirds vote of each house of the general assembly and 31 signed by the governor. Such property cannot be removed from 32 eligibility for tax-exempt status solely for the purpose of 33 allowing acquisition of the property by condemnation. 34 -1- LSB 5752HH (4) 84 av/sc 1/ 1