SB 158

This bill makes a change, retroactive to January 1, 2025, to eligibility for a county forest administration grant.

Current law authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to make grants to counties that have lands designated as county forest to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a professional forester in the position of county forest administrator or assistant county forest administrator (county forest administration grant program). Under the bill, the grants may be used to fund 50 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of a county forest administrator. The bill defines “county forest administrator” as a person, excluding a person employed by the department, who is employed to manage a county forest program and who has any of the following qualifications:

1. A bachelor’s or higher degree in forestry from a school of forestry with a curriculum accredited by the Society of American Foresters or an equivalent degree, as determined by the chief state forester.

2. A bachelor’s or higher degree in natural resources, conservation, or wildlife and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program.

3. An associate degree in forestry and three or more years of experience managing a county forest program.