AB 559

This bill eliminates the restriction on leasing land designated as Managed

Forest Land (MFL) to permit persons to engage in a recreational activity and

authorizes the owner of closed MFL to enter into a lease or other agreement

permitting persons to engage in recreational activity on the land.

Under the MFL program administered by the Department of Natural

Resources (DNR), the owner of a parcel of land designated as MFL makes an annual

acreage share payment that is lower than, and in lieu of, the property taxes that

normally would be payable on the land. In exchange, the owner must comply with

certain forestry practices. Under the program, MFL is designated as either "open"

or "closed" to public access. MFL that is designated as "open" must be kept open for

hunting, fishing, hiking, sight-seeing, and cross-country skiing (recreational

activities). For MFL that is designated as "closed" the owner must make an

additional payment per acre.

Under current law, the owner of land designated as MFL may not enter into a

lease or other agreement for consideration if the purpose of the lease or agreement

is to permit persons to engage in a recreational activity. This bill eliminates this

restriction and authorizes the owner of MFL that is designated as closed to enter into

a lease or other agreement for consideration that permits persons to engage in a

recreational activity on the land.