Bill > H0444

This bill appropriates and adjusts funds for the Department of Lands for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, totaling over $7.7 million in new and adjusted appropriations. * The Department of Lands receives a net appropriation of $7,255,700 for fiscal year 2026, funded by the General Fund, Department of Lands Fund, Endowment Earnings Administrative Fund, Oil and Gas Conservation Fund, and Navigable Waterways Fund, for various programs including Business Services, Forest Resources Management, Trust Land Management, Forest and Range Fire Protection, and Minerals, Public Trust, Oil and Gas. * A reduction of $449,700 is made to the Department of Lands' appropriation for fiscal year 2026 from the Navigable Waterways Fund and the Department of Lands Fund, impacting Trust Land Management and Minerals, Public Trust, Oil and Gas programs. * The Department of Lands is authorized to increase its full-time equivalent (FTE) positions by 3.00 for fiscal year 2026. * $40,000,000 is transferred from the General Fund to the Fire Suppression Deficiency Warrant Fund for fiscal year 2025 to reimburse costs incurred by the Forest and Range Fire Protection Program. * At least ninety percent of funds from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund must be spent on eligible mine site engineering, on-site restoration plan implementation, and compensation for services related to reclamation. * Sections 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the bill are effective on or after July 1, 2025, while Section 4 is effective immediately upon passage and approval due to an declared emergency.