Assembly Bill 612 aims to reauthorize the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until fiscal year 2029-30, while also making significant adjustments to the funding structure of stewardship programs and establishing a major land acquisitions program. The bill reduces the annual funding limits for various subprograms, including a decrease from $16 million to $3 million for land acquisition and from $14.25 million to $7.25 million for property development and local assistance. Additionally, it eliminates annual transfers from the forestry account to the capital improvement fund, replacing them with direct appropriations from the conservation fund for land acquisitions and county forest grants.

The bill introduces new appropriations from the forestry account to support property development, local assistance grants, and nonprofit conservation organization grants for land acquisition and habitat restoration. It also creates a new appropriation for a major land acquisitions program, allowing the state to contract public debt for this purpose. Notably, the bill modifies existing statutes to reflect these changes, including the renumbering and amendment of various sections related to funding and grant allocations, while ensuring that funds are specifically designated for nature-based outdoor recreation and conservation efforts.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 18.08(1)(a)(intro.), 18.08, 20.370(5)(hr), 20.370, 20.370(7)(aa), 20.866(2)(ta), 20.866, 23.09(19)(cg), 23.09, 23.09(20)(am), 23.09(20m)(b), 23.0953(2)(b), 23.0953