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Bill > AB707

WI AB707

WI AB707
Managed forest land recording fees. (FE)

summary

Introduced
12/03/2025
In Committee
12/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources administers the managed forest land (MFL) program, under which the owner of a parcel of land designated as MFL makes an annual acreage share payment in lieu of property taxes. In exchange, the owner must comply with certain forestry practices and, subject to exceptions, must open the land to the public for recreational activities. Certain actions relating to a parcel designated as MFL must be recorded by the appropriate register of deeds, and DNR must pay any required fee for the recording. Under current law, MFL may be transferred from one owner to another with payment of a $100 fee, which is deposited into the conservation fund. Of that amount, $30 is credited to a DNR appropriation for the payment of registers of deeds fees. Land may also be withdrawn from the MFL program with payment of a $300 fee. Under this bill, $100 transfer fees and $300 withdrawal fees are deposited into the conservation fund and credited to the DNR appropriation for the payment of fees to the registers of deeds. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill modifies the existing Managed Forest Land (MFL) program administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by changing how certain fees are handled. Specifically, the bill adjusts the processing of transfer and withdrawal fees for land enrolled in the MFL program. Currently, when MFL land is transferred between owners or withdrawn from the program, a $100 transfer fee or $300 withdrawal fee is charged. The bill mandates that these fees will now be fully deposited into the conservation fund and credited to a DNR appropriation for paying register of deeds fees. This change ensures that the entire fee amount goes toward administrative costs associated with recording and managing MFL land transfers and withdrawals, rather than only a portion of the fee. The bill also makes technical amendments to specify the statutory sections where these fee provisions are outlined, expanding the scope of fees that can be collected and credited to the DNR's appropriation. These modifications aim to streamline the administrative process for managing forest lands while maintaining the program's existing requirements for landowner participation and public access.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (18)

Last Action

Representative Sheehan added as a coauthor (on 02/20/2026)
(1 Companion Bills)

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