SB 5298 - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

Finds that the 1999 act known as the forests and fish law contains a requirement for all forest landowners to complete a road maintenance and abandonment plan. In the time since the law's 1999 enactment, it has become clear that the road maintenance and abandonment plan requirement may cause an unforseen and unintended disproportionate financial hardship on small forest landowners.

Finds that the commissioner of public lands and the governor have explored solutions that minimize the hardship caused to small forest landowners by the forest road maintenance and abandonment requirements of the forests and fish law, while maintaining protection for public resources.

Declares that this act represents the bulk of the recommendations stemming from that process.