Committee hears bill to remove deed‑recording requirement for CWD detections on farmed cervid property

Representative Burkel introduced House File 1676 to delete a requirement that a chronic wasting disease (CWD) detection on a farmed cervid property be recorded with the county recorder and the registrar of titles (Subdivision 7). The A1 amendment was offered by the author to clarify language and to cause previously recorded notices to expire on the bill’s effective date; the committee adopted the A1 amendment.

Industry witnesses — Tony Quillis (Minnesota Elk Breeders Association), Brenda Hartkopf (Minnesota Elk Breeders Association), and Tim Sprecht (Minnesota Deer Farmers Association and licensed realtor) — testified in favor of striking the deed‑recording requirement. They told the committee the requirement duplicates the buyer disclosure already required under Subdivision 6 and that permanently recording a CWD notation on a deed can depress property values, complicate sales and, they said, unfairly singles out cervid farmers compared with other landowners in counties where CWD has been detected in wild deer. Hartkopf said the state lost 26 elk operations in 2024 and described the recording requirement as a major industry burden.

Supporters argued the existing disclosure obligations in the sale agreement and the statutory requirements to maintain fencing and post biohazard signage provide buyers sufficient notice. Opponents on the dais, including Representative Hansen, queried whether a buyer who later learned of a prior CWD detection could seek recourse — the author and witnesses said disclosure under Subdivision 6 gives the buyer a written remedy and that the deed notation creates redundant recordation of a condition that the parties already must disclose.

The A1 amendment was adopted and Representative Burkel moved to lay the bill over; the committee laid House File 1676 over for further consideration.