HB 1895: Forest conservation

Summary

• Requires the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish a voluntary, incentive-based working and nonworking forest conservation and reforestation plan that endeavors to conserve at least 1 million acres of working forestland and reforest at least 1 million acres by the year 2040.
• Requires the DNR, in order to guide prioritization of conservation and reforestation actions, to develop a prioritization framework that addresses certain elements including carbon sequestration and reforestation.
• Requires the DNR, by December 1, 2022, to submit a report to the Office of Financial Management and the appropriate committees of the Legislature that includes a map and justification of identified priority areas, determines an approach to monitoring, and describes activities to be undertaken consistent with the conservation and reforestation plan.
• Requires the DNR, by December 1, 2023, to submit to the Office of Financial Management and the appropriate committees of the Legislature a final draft of the strategic plan.

From the House Bill Analysis 2022 (HB 1895), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗