MN HF287

Amends Minnesota Statutes section 273.124, subdivision 14, to modify agricultural homestead property classification requirements.

Allows property of less than ten acres to qualify for class 2a agricultural homestead classification if the parcel is contiguous on at least two sides to agricultural land, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land, or Department of Natural Resources land, and the owner holds a noncontiguous agricultural parcel of at least 20 acres within four townships or cities.

Requires the agricultural use value of the noncontiguous land and farm buildings to equal at least 50 percent of the market value of the house, garage, and one acre of land.

Permits homesteads initially classified as class 2a to retain that classification despite subsequent changes in adjoining property use, as long as ownership remains the same and the owner continues to own the required noncontiguous agricultural parcel.

Effective for assessment year 2015 and applies to property that qualified under these provisions for the 1998 assessment.