Bill > H7135

This bill revises how state lands are managed by requiring the Division of State Lands to assess conservation and nonconservation lands to determine if they could be used for "low-impact agriculture" (defined as agricultural activities that don't harm conservation purposes) or be sold. It also mandates updates to land management plans to identify these potential uses or lands no longer needed for conservation, and directs the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund to dispose of lands under specific conditions, including allowing for land exchanges where the state can retain a conservation easement on private land. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to maintain a database of state, federal, and local conservation lands, and for local governments to submit information to the DEP. The Acquisition and Restoration Council, an advisory body, will provide recommendations on these matters, with a priority given to certain conservation projects. Finally, the bill includes appropriations for staffing and expenses related to these new land management and inventory requirements, and authorizes the consolidation of titles for contiguous state-owned conservation lands.