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Committee lays over bills to extend property-tax exemptions for Fond du Lac health facility
Summary
The House Tax Committee heard two bills to clarify and expand property-tax exemptions for parcels owned or used by the Fond du Lac tribe for health services; members adopted an author's amendment and laid both bills over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill.
Representative Davids introduced two related bills that would extend property-tax exemptions for Fond du Lac tribal healthcare facilities, including space that houses mobile medical equipment and a cancer diagnostic unit. Sponsor and counsel explained the parcels are wholly within the Fond du Lac Reservation and require special statutory authority to be tax exempt because tribal land is treated differently under state law.
The sponsor said the second bill extends an existing exemption for a health-care facility in Duluth and would allow up to five parcels (not necessarily adjacent) to qualify, expanding coverage beyond the current two parcels to reflect the facility’s physical growth. "The footprint has now grown ... this would extend that to up to 5," one presenter said while explaining the amendment clarifies parcels need not be adjacent and the parking lot that serves the facility should be included.
No members of the public registered opposition in committee. Committee members asked clarifying questions about reservation boundaries and parcel location; one member confirmed the property is ‘‘wholly within the external boundary’’ of the reservation. The Committee adopted the author's amendment to House File 4678 and laid both bills over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill.
The bills will return to committee if negotiators or the tax bill author bring them forward for inclusion in the omnibus tax package.
