SB 0302 Summary

• Requires the Department of Natural Resources to keep state land open to hunting unless closed for public safety, wildlife management, or homeland security reasons, and to prevent net decrease in acreage open to hunting.

• Establishes procedures for removing barriers (berms, gates) on DNR land upon written request from recreational organizations or local governments, with 60-day initial response deadline and 180-day removal deadline if approved.

• Creates new provisions allowing DNR to consider selling or leasing non-surplus state land to adjacent existing businesses that are expansion-limited by state land, if it provides economic benefit to local communities.

• Implements standardized appraisal procedures for DNR land transactions: when multiple appraisals differ by less than 10%, the average becomes the accepted value; when they differ by 10% or more, parties may agree on a neutral third appraiser.

• Requires DNR to prepare minimum 90% of yearly statewide harvest objectives for sale beginning October 1, 2018, and submit annual forestry reports detailing harvested acres, timber volumes, recreational efforts, and wildlife habitat management to legislative committees.