Unproductive conservation lands prohibited from being considered benefited property under state drainage laws

SF 871 prevents land protected by a conservation easement from being counted as "benefited property" under Minnesota's drainage laws. This means drainage districts cannot require landowners with conservation easements to pay for drainage projects or repairs on those lands, as such properties are excluded from benefit calculations. The bill directly affects landowners holding conservation easements and drainage districts managing drainage systems. It changes the current rule to ensure conservation lands - typically used for environmental protection rather than agriculture - are not included in cost-sharing for drainage improvements.