The bill establishes a program fee for forest and fruit-tree reservations that are exempt from tax, effective for assessment years beginning January 1, 2026. Each acre of such reservations will incur a fee payable to the county treasurer by September of each assessment year, with the collected funds deposited into the county general fund. The fee structure varies based on the location of the reservations, with specific rates set for those near homesteads and those located within city limits. Additionally, the bill outlines how the collected fees will be utilized, particularly emphasizing property tax relief starting in fiscal years after July 1, 2029.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing legal language regarding the calculation of county levy rates, specifically incorporating the fees collected under the new program into the formula used to determine the levy rate for general county services. This adjustment ensures that the fees collected will be accounted for in the overall financial planning of the counties. The bill includes a contingent effective date, which aligns with the effective date of another legislative act, ensuring that the implementation of this program is synchronized with broader fiscal policies.

Statutes affected:
Reprinted: 331.423