SB 6474-S - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/15/02)

     Requires the joint legislative audit and review committee to conduct a review of state agency land purchases for wildlife habitat and related purposes over the last five years in the six counties of the state with the highest proportion of public land ownership.  The review must include an assessment of the following: (1) The cumulative effect of the purchases of state land on local government property tax revenues;

     (2) The process used to select properties for state land purchase;

     (3) The method of appraising potential lands for purchase, and the appraised value in comparison to the final purchase price;

     (4) Whether state agency land purchases have impacted property values positively or negatively in the immediate vicinity of the property;

     (5) The maintenance and management of state lands purchased, specifically with regard to weed management; and

     (6) The effects on the local economy from the changes in use of the property purchased.

     Requires the report to be submitted to the natural resources committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 1, 2003.