The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, specifically section 52706, to clarify the sale of municipal forestland to public agencies for forestry or recreational purposes. It stipulates that the amount of land sold must not exceed what is necessary for the public agency and that any land sold must be suitable for its intended use. The bill introduces new language requiring that when prime land is no longer used for its designated purpose, it must revert back to the state. Additionally, it establishes that public agencies must conduct a public hearing before conveying municipal forestland to a third party and outlines the necessary notification procedures for such hearings.

Key changes in the bill include the replacement of "shall" with "must" in several instances to emphasize the obligations of the department and public agencies. It also modifies the language regarding the conveyance of municipal forestland, specifying that it can only be sold for $1.00 to another public agency or at fair market value to any other entity. The bill further clarifies the distribution of proceeds from such sales, ensuring that 50% of the proceeds are retained by the conveying agency while the other half is submitted to the Department of Treasury. The bill is set to take effect 90 days after being enacted into law.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.52706