Cities could adopt ordinances allowing their employees to enter on to private land to take measures to stop the spread of buckthorn under a bill approved by the House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Committee Feb. 24.
Sponsored by Rep. Paul Gardner (DFL-Shoreview),
HF418 would give municipalities the authority to control the noxious weed within its geographic boundaries.
Gardner said the idea came to him from North Oaks residents concerned about buckthorn in their area. Buckthorn is considered one of the most invasive plant species in the state, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud) said the bill doesn’t give consideration to private property owners by allowing city officials to have unlimited access to private land to control the noxious weed.
“This kind of exposure and breaching of private property rights is not appropriate,” Gottwalt said. He unsuccessfully offered an amendment to remove “private property” from the bill’s language.
Gardner said if residents don’t agree with a city council’s decision to allow city employees on private land, they can hold them accountable at the next election.
The bill now goes to the House floor. A companion,
SF1176, sponsored by Sen. Sandy Rummel (DFL-White Bear Lake), awaits action in the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
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