Counties addressing blighted conditions and remediating environmental contamination on properties that have come under county ownership or are being held in trust by the state grants appropriation

SF 2618 creates a new grant program administered by Minnesota’s Pollution Control Agency to help counties clean up environmental contamination and address blight on properties that have become county-owned through tax forfeiture or foreclosure. Counties can apply for grants to remediate pollution, conduct testing, or fix unsafe conditions on these properties, with funding proposed for fiscal years 2026-2027. To qualify, counties must submit detailed applications showing property ownership, contamination evidence, blight documentation, and a remediation plan. The program prioritizes counties’ ability to cover costs without grants and ensures equitable regional distribution of funds. This bill directly affects local governments managing tax-forfeited properties with environmental or safety hazards.