SF563 Summary

• Authorizes DNR commissioner to exchange road easements across state land for access to property owned by federal/state/local government or private parties, limited to existing corridors with substantially equal acreage (within 20 percent variance).

• Establishes school forest program allowing school districts, universities, and public educational institutions to create school forests using owned or gifted land, with tax-forfeited land available for conveyance without monetary compensation subject to conditional use and reversion provisions.

• Modifies forest management investment account to allow quarterly transfers based on cost and revenue reports throughout fiscal year instead of only annual transfers after year-end.

• Expands timber permit security options beyond bonds to include cash, certified checks, bank letters of credit, and surety bonds; increases intermediate auction timber lot limits from 6,000 to 12,000 cords and allows commissioner to refuse all bids and cancel sales.

• Allows permit holders to request cancellation of balsam fir removal requirements in pre-2012 timber permits containing 50+ cords of balsam fir; repeals sections 90.163, 90.173, and 90.41 subdivision 2.