Senate Bill 483 Summary

• Amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to replace references to "registered foresters" under the occupational code with "qualified foresters" as defined in the general property tax act.

• Modifies county forestry committee composition requirements to remove the mandatory registration requirement under the occupational code for the two forester members.

• Changes forest management plan preparation requirements to allow plans prepared by "qualified foresters" or natural resources professionals, rather than only registered foresters.

• Updates terminology throughout sections 50703, 50706, 51101, and 51103 from "registered forester" to "qualified forester" with reference to MCL 211.7jj(i) definition.

• Makes technical corrections to statutory citations and language (e.g., changing "pursuant to" to "under") and clarifies that land contracts and utility rights-of-way do not affect land contiguity determinations.