Minnesota State Bar at the Legislature This Week

The Minnesota State Bar Association “Capital Connection” passed on the latest news on legislation and the state bar this week:

HF2823/HF2828: These bills from the Real Property Section, carried by lawyer-legislator Rep. Gail Kulick Jackson (DFL-Milaca), passed the House Civil Justice Committee on Monday.  Attorney Kevin Dunlevy from the Real Property Section testified in support of the bills.  HF2823 adds supplemental declarations to the list of documents that may be recorded against common interest community certificates of title.  HF2828 clarifies the mortgage registry tax on mortgages that secure less than the full amount of the debt.  The companion bills await action in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The MSBA’s Tax Law Section opposed a provision in HF2972 that would allow licensed assessors who are not licensed as real property appraisers to provide expert testimony and submit appraisals in tax court.  This legislation would override a pair of recent tax court cases.  The issue turned into quite a controversy during a hearing Wednesday in the House Tax Committee, with attorney Gina DeConcini testifying for the Tax Law Section.  The House Tax Committee will revisit the bill on Monday; its Senate counterpart will hear the companion bill on Wednesday.

HF3025/SF2705: This legislation from the Business Law Section was introduced in the House and Senate this week.  The bill relates to regulating the organization and operation of business corporations, nonprofit corporations, and limited liability companies.  It is carried by lawyer-legislators Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) and Rep. Dave Olin (DFL-Thief River Falls).