Amendment ASA2-AB700

AB700-ASA2,59 Section 59. 77.83 (2) (am) of the statutes is repealed.

AB700-ASA2,60 Section 60. 77.83 (2) (ar) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-ASA2,16,21 77.83 (2) (ar) An owner of managed forest land may enter into a lease or other agreement for consideration that permits persons to engage in a recreational activity on managed forest land that is designated as closed if all of the following apply:

AB700-ASA2,16,23 1. The managed forest land is not part of a large property covered by a management plan that has been modified under s. 77.82 (3m).

AB700-ASA2,17,3 2. The managed forest land is not part of a large property owned by a person who qualifies for the exemption under s. 77.86 (4m) from the requirements under s. 77.86 (1g).

AB700-ASA2,61 Section 61. 77.83 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,17,8 77.83 (2) (b) An owner may restrict public access to any area of open managed forest land which is within 300 feet of any building or within 300 feet of a commercial logging, thinning, or reforestation operation that conforms or other forest management activity if the operation or activity conforms to the management plan.

AB700-ASA2,62 Section 62. 77.83 (2) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-ASA2,17,14 77.83 (2) (d) 1. a. Except as provided in subd. 2., an owner of managed forest land that is designated as open shall ensure that the public has access to that land for all of the purposes specified in par. (a). The method of access and location of the access shall be equivalent to the method of access and location of the access that is used by the owner of the land.

AB700-ASA2,17,17 b. If the owner is unable to provide the access that is required under subd. 1. a., the department shall modify the designation of the land from being open to being closed.

AB700-ASA2,17,19 2. Subdivision 1. does not require public access to a parcel of land that is part of a large property if all of the following apply:

AB700-ASA2,17,21 a. The parcel is not contiguous to another parcel of land that is part of the large property.

AB700-ASA2,17,22 b. The parcel is accessible only for forest management activities.

AB700-ASA2,17,24 c. The parcel does not constitute a large percentage of the large property, as determined by the department by rule.

AB700-ASA2,63 Section 63. 77.83 (4) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 77.83 (4).

AB700-ASA2,64 Section 64. 77.83 (4) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

AB700-ASA2,65 Section 65. 77.84 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,18,12 77.84 (3) (b) Immediately after receiving the certification of the county clerk that a tax deed has been taken, the department shall issue an order withdrawing the land as managed forest land. The notice requirement under s. 77.88 (1) does not apply to the department's action under this paragraph. The department shall notify the county treasurer of the amount of the withdrawal fee under s. 77.88 (5m) and the withdrawal tax, as determined under s. 77.88 (5). The amount of the tax and the fee shall be payable to the department under s. 75.36 (3) if the property is sold by the county. The amount shall be credited to the conservation fund. The notice requirement under s. 77.88 (1) does not apply to the department's action under this paragraph.

AB700-ASA2,66 Section 66. 77.86 (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB700-ASA2,18,14 77.86 (title) Cutting practices.

AB700-ASA2,67 Section 67. 77.86 (1) (title) of the statutes is renumbered 77.86 (1b) (title) and amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,18,17 77.86 (1b) (title) Cutting regulated prohibited.

AB700-ASA2,68 Section 68. 77.86 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 77.86 (1b).

AB700-ASA2,69 Section 69. 77.86 (1) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 77.86 (1g) (a).

AB700-ASA2,70 Section 70. 77.86 (1) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 77.86 (1g) (b) and amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,18,24 77.86 (1g) (b) If the proposed cutting proposed under par. (a) conforms to the management plan and is consistent with sound forestry practices, the department shall approve the request.

AB700-ASA2,71 Section 71. 77.86 (1) (d) of the statutes is renumbered 77.86 (1g) (c) and amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,19,6 77.86 (1g) (c) If the proposed cutting proposed under par. (a) does not conform to the management plan or is not consistent with sound forestry practices, the department shall assist the owner in developing an acceptable proposal before approving the request.

AB700-ASA2,72 Section 72. 77.86 (1g) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-ASA2,19,8 77.86 (1g) (title) Approval by department.

AB700-ASA2,73 Section 73. 77.86 (2) of the statutes is repealed.

AB700-ASA2,74 Section 74. 77.86 (3) (title) of the statutes is repealed.

AB700-ASA2,75 Section 75. 77.86 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 77.86 (1g) (d) and amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,19,15 77.86 (1g) (d) All cutting specified in the notice under sub. (1) (b) par. (a) shall be commenced within one year after the date the proposed cutting is approved. The owner shall report to the department the date on which the cutting is commenced.

AB700-ASA2,76 Section 76. 77.86 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,19,22 77.86 (4) Reporting. Within 30 days after completion of any cutting approved under this section subject to sub. (1g), the owner shall report to the department, on a form provided by the department, a description of the species of wood, kind of product and the quantity of each species cut as shown by the scale or measurement made on the ground as cut, skidded, loaded or delivered, or by tree scale certified by a forester acceptable to the department if the wood is sold by tree measurement.

AB700-ASA2,77 Section 77. 77.86 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-ASA2,19,25 77.86 (4m) Large properties. (a) The owner of a large property is exempt from the requirements under sub. (1g) if all of the following requirements are met:

AB700-ASA2,20,3 1. The owner has received certification from an independent forestry organization that the owner is qualified to ensure that cutting of timber from the large property is consistent with sound forestry practices.

AB700-ASA2,20,6 2. The department has recognized that the independent forestry organization under subd. 1. is qualified to make certifications under subd. 1. and under the rules promulgated under par. (b).

AB700-ASA2,20,7 3. The owner complies with the rules promulgated under par. (c).

AB700-ASA2,20,10 (b) The department shall promulgate rules that establish standards that an independent forestry organization shall meet in order to be recognized by the department for purposes of par. (a) 1.

AB700-ASA2,20,12 (c) The department shall promulgate rules that establish cutting requirements that apply to owners of large properties. These rules shall include:

AB700-ASA2,20,15 1. A requirement that proposed cuttings comply with the applicable management plans of owners of large properties and that they are consistent with sound forestry practices.

AB700-ASA2,20,16 2. Requirements for cutting notices.

AB700-ASA2,20,17 3. Time limits for the completion of cuttings.

AB700-ASA2,20,19 4. Procedures for requesting variances from the requirements established under subds. 1. and 3.

AB700-ASA2,20,21 5. Procedures to allow the department to audit the cutting of timber on the large property.

AB700-ASA2,78 Section 78. 77.86 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,21,2 77.86 (5) (a) Any person who fails to file the notice required under sub. (1) (b) (1g) (a), who fails to file a report as required under sub. (4), or who files a false report under sub. (4), or who fails to comply with a rule promulgated under sub. (4m) (c) shall forfeit not more than $1,000.

AB700-ASA2,79 Section 79. 77.86 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,21,7 77.86 (5) (b) Any owner who cuts merchantable timber in violation of this section or a rule promulgated under sub. (4m) (c) is subject to a forfeiture equal to 20% of the current value of the merchantable timber cut, based on the stumpage value established under s. 77.91 (1).

AB700-ASA2,80 Section 80. 77.87 (1g) (d) of the statutes is repealed.

AB700-ASA2,81 Section 81. 77.87 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,21,15 77.87 (5) Delinquency. If a tax due under this section is not paid on or before the last day of the August following the date specified under sub. (3), the department shall certify to the taxation district clerk municipal clerk of each municipality in which the cutting occurred the description of the land, and the amount due for the tax and interest. The taxation district municipal clerk shall enter the delinquent amount on the property tax roll as a special charge.

AB700-ASA2,82 Section 82. 77.876 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,21,22 77.876 (1) Assessment. The department shall certify to each municipality in which the property land is located an owner's failure to complete a forestry practice during the period of time required under an applicable management plan, and the municipality shall impose a noncompliance assessment of $250 against the owner for each failure. The department shall mail a copy of the certificate of assessment to the owner at the owner's last-known address and to the municipality.

AB700-ASA2,83 Section 83. 77.876 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,22,3 77.876 (4) Delinquency. If an assessment due under sub. (1) is not paid on or before the last day of the August following the date specified under sub. (2), the municipality shall certify to the taxation district clerk the description of the land and the amount due for the assessment and interest. The taxation district municipal clerk shall enter the delinquent amount on the property tax roll as a special charge.

AB700-ASA2,84 Section 84. 77.88 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,22,6 77.88 (title) Withdrawal Withdrawals; transfer of ownership; nonrenewal expiration.

AB700-ASA2,85 Section 85. 77.88 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,22,9 77.88 (1) (b) 1. Failure of the land to conform to an eligibility requirement under s. 77.82 (1), except as provided in sub. (2m).

AB700-ASA2,86 Section 86. 77.88 (2) (a) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-ASA2,22,11 77.88 (2) (a) (title) Authority to transfer.

AB700-ASA2,87 Section 87. 77.88 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 77.88 (2) (a) and amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,22,16 77.88 (2) (a) Except as provided in par. (am), an An owner may sell or otherwise transfer ownership of all or part of a parcel of the owner's managed forest land if the land transferred is one of the following:.

AB700-ASA2,88 Section 88. 77.88 (2) (a) 1. of the statutes is repealed.

AB700-ASA2,89 Section 89. 77.88 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes is renumbered 77.88 (3) (b) 1. a. and amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,22,21 77.88 (3) (b) 1. a. All of an the owner's managed forest land within a quarter quarter section.

AB700-ASA2,90 Section 90. 77.88 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes is renumbered 77.88 (3) (b) 1. b. and amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,22,25 77.88 (3) (b) 1. b. All of an the owner's managed forest land within a government lot or fractional lot as determined by the U.S. government survey plat.

AB700-ASA2,91 Section 91. 77.88 (2) (ac) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-ASA2,23,2 77.88 (2) (ac) (title) Transferred land; requirements met.

AB700-ASA2,92 Section 92. 77.88 (2) (am) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-ASA2,23,4 77.88 (2) (am) (title) Transferred land; requirements not met.

AB700-ASA2,93 Section 93. 77.88 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,23,14 77.88 (2) (b) Remaining land; requirements met. If the land remaining after a transfer under par. (a) is contiguous and meets the eligibility requirements under s. 77.82 (1) (a) 2. and (b), it the remaining land shall continue to be designated as managed forest land until the expiration of the existing order, even if the parcel contains less than 10 acres. Notwithstanding s. 77.82 (12), an owner may not file an application with the department for renewal of the order if the parcel contains less than 10 acres. No withdrawal tax under sub. (5) or withdrawal fee under sub. (5m) may be assessed when the remaining land is withdrawn at the expiration of the order.

AB700-ASA2,94 Section 94. 77.88 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,23,21 77.88 (2) (c) Remaining land; requirements not met. If the remaining land remaining after a transfer under par. (a) does not meet the eligibility requirements under s. 77.82 (1) (a) 2. and (b), the department shall issue an order withdrawing the land and shall assess against the owner the withdrawal tax under sub. (5) and the withdrawal fee under sub. (5m). Notwithstanding s. 77.90, the owner is not entitled to a hearing on an order withdrawing land under this paragraph.

AB700-ASA2,95 Section 95. 77.88 (2) (d) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-ASA2,23,23 77.88 (2) (d) (title) Report by transferee; fee.

AB700-ASA2,96 Section 96. 77.88 (2) (e) of the statutes is renumbered 77.88 (2) (ac) 1. and amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,24,10 77.88 (2) (ac) 1. The transferred If the land shall remain transferred under par. (a) meets the eligibility requirements under s. 77.82 (1) (a) and (b), the land shall continue to be designated as managed forest land if the transferee, within 30 days after the transfer, certifies to the department an intent to comply with the existing management plan for the land and with any amendments to the plan, and provides proof that each person holding any encumbrance on the land agrees to the designation. The transferee may designate an area of the transferred land closed to public access as provided under s. 77.83. The department shall issue an order continuing the designation of the land as managed forest land under the new ownership.

AB700-ASA2,97 Section 97. 77.88 (2) (f) of the statutes is renumbered 77.88 (2) (ac) 2. and amended to read:

AB700-ASA2,24,18 77.88 (2) (ac) 2. If the transferee does not provide the department with the certification required under par. (e) subd. 1., the department shall issue an order withdrawing the land and shall assess against the transferee the withdrawal tax under sub. (5) and the withdrawal fee under sub. (5m). Notwithstanding s. 77.90, the transferee is not entitled to a hearing on an order withdrawing land under this paragraph subdivision.

AB700-ASA2,98 Section 98. 77.88 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB700-ASA2,24,24 77.88 (2m) Damage to land. (a) If a parcel of managed forest land has been damaged by a natural disaster, the owner of the parcel may notify the department, and the department shall establish a period of time that the owner of the parcel will have to restore the productivity of the land so that it meets the requirements under s. 77.82 (1) (a) 2.

AB700-ASA2,25,4 (b) If the owner fails to complete the restoration in the applicable period of time, the owner may request that the department withdraw all or part of the land in accordance with sub. (3) or (3k), or the department may proceed with a withdrawal by department order under sub. (1).