Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 63, 64 and 67 [as it relates to s.
77.89(2)(b)] divide the closed acreage fee revenue between municipalities (80 percent) and counties (20 percent) in which closed land is located. The timing of the change is ambiguous due to conflicting language and could create a deficit in the forestry account of the conservation fund. I am vetoing Section 64 and partially vetoing Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 63 and 67 [as it relates to s.
77.89(2)(b)] to eliminate the changes in the distribution of closed acreage fee revenue. The effect of this partial veto is to forward all closed acreage fee revenue to the department for deposit to the forestry account as under current law.
I support improving the administration of the program and assisting municipalities and counties to offset the local revenue impact of the program. However, a partial veto is necessary to ensure that the statutorily defined goals of the program are protected. It is important to ensure that Wisconsin's citizens have sufficient access to land for recreation, in particular, hunting. As originally proposed, this bill had a mechanism to address this concern, but it was removed by the Legislature. I am requesting that the department consider, in developing its 2005-07 biennial budget request, restoring the provision to distribute revenues from closed acreage fees to offset the impact of the increase in closed acres. In order to maintain the goals of the original legislation, the program will be administered by a managed forest land board consisting of representatives of local town and county governments, the Wisconsin Chief Forester as well as other interested groups or individuals. The board will be charged with providing grants to local governments, the department and non-profit conservation organizations. The grants are to be used to acquire land for hunting, fishing, hiking, sight seeing and cross country skiing. As part of this program the board shall ensure the use of sound forestry practices on all lands acquired. Finally, priority for these grants should be given to counties as well as to towns and counties with higher numbers of closed acres. At no time should grants be awarded without approval from the board of the county where the land is being acquired.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Doyle
Governor
__________________
April 13, 2004
To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:
I am vetoing Assembly Bill 908 in its entirety. This bill corrects the effective date of the change in Managed Forest Land Program closed acreage fee revenue as drafted in Assembly Bill 323. This bill clarifies that the distribution of fee revenue to municipalities and counties is effective July 1, 2005. This bill is also void if AB 323 is partially vetoed.
I support assisting local governments to offset the revenue impact of the Managed Forest Land Program. I am concerned, however, that the provisions in AB 323 will increase the amount of managed forest land that is closed to public access and do not provide any means of minimizing the impact on public recreation. By exercising partial vetoes in AB 323, this bill is now unnecessary.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Doyle
Governor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Secretary of State
Madison
To Whom It May Concern:
Acts, Joint Resolutions and Resolutions deposited in this office have been numbered and published as follows:
Bill Number Act Number Publication Date
Assembly Bill 273199April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 419201April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 467202April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 488203April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 263204April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 471205April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 591206April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 169207April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 791208April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 15209April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 274210April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 436211April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 495212April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 501213April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 678214April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 777215April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 821216April 22, 2004
Assembly Bill 893217April 22, 2004
Sincerely,
Douglas La Follette
Secretary of State
