Senate Bill 685 aims to reauthorize the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program until fiscal year 2029-30, while also making significant changes 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 ends the annual transfers from the forestry account to the capital improvement fund (CIF) and replaces them with direct appropriations from the conservation fund, allocating $3 million for land acquisitions and $1 million for county forest grants each fiscal year.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new appropriations from the forestry account to support three programs previously funded solely under the stewardship program, including $5 million for property development and $4 million for grants to nonprofit conservation organizations for land acquisition. It also creates a new appropriation for a major land acquisitions program, allowing the state to contract public debt for this purpose. The bill includes various amendments to existing statutes, such as renumbering and amending 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