2005 Senate Bill 917 / 2006 Public Act 381

Commercial forestry incentive package

Introduced in the Senate

Dec. 1, 2005

Introduced by Sen. Shirley Johnson (R-13)

To require certain additional tax break repayments if forestland subject to a sustainable forest conservation easement is used in a way that violates the terms of the easement. The bill is part of a commercial forestry incentive package comprised of Senate Bills 912 to 919 and House Bills 5453 to 5468 and 5462.

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Tourism

May 23, 2006

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that establishes the level of the proposed "specific tax" (a lower tax imposed in lieu of regular property taxes).

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 37 to 1 (details)

To establish an annual specific tax for commercial forestland that is subject to a sustainable forest conservation easement which would be 15 cents less than for commercial forestland not subject to the sustainability agreement. The bill would also require nonrefundable application fee to enter land into the program of $2 per acre, subject to a minimum of $200 and a maximum of $1,000, and impose penalties if the sustainability agreement were violated.

Received in the House

May 23, 2006

Referred to the Committee on Conservation, Forestry, and Outdoor Recreation

June 22, 2006

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Sept. 13, 2006

Passed in the House 105 to 0 (details)

To establish an annual specific tax for commercial forestland that is subject to a sustainable forest conservation easement which would be 15 cents less than for commercial forestland not subject to the sustainability agreement. The bill would also require nonrefundable application fee to enter land into the program of $2 per acre, subject to a minimum of $200 and a maximum of $1,000, and impose penalties if the sustainability agreement were violated.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Sept. 26, 2006