SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HB-4380, As Passed House, June 12, 2014HB-4380, As Passed Senate, June 11, 2014

HOUSE BILL NO. 4380

A bill to amend 1893 PA 206, entitled

"The general property tax act,"

by amending section 7jj (MCL 211.7jj[1]), as amended by 2013 PA 42.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

Sec. 7jj. (1) Except as otherwise limited in this subsection,

qualified forest property is exempt from the tax levied by a local

school district for school operating purposes to the extent

provided under section 1211 of the revised school code, 1976 PA

451, MCL 380.1211, according to the provisions of this section.

Buildings, structures, or land improvements located on qualified

forest property are not eligible for the exemption under this

section. The amount of qualified forest property in this state that

is eligible for the exemption under this section is limited as

follows:

(a) In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, 300,000

acres.

(b) In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, 600,000

acres.

(d) In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011 and each

fiscal year thereafter, 1,200,000 acres. Beginning in the fiscal

year ending September 30, 2013 and each fiscal year thereafter,

real property eligible for exemption under this section as

qualified forest property as a result of the withdrawal of that

property from the operation of part 511 of the natural resources

and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.51101 to

324.51120, as provided in section 51108(5) of the natural resources

and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.51108, shall

not be credited against the 1,200,000 acres of property that are

eligible for exemption as qualified forest property under this

section.

(2) If a property owner is interested in obtaining an

exemption for qualified forest property under this section, the

property owner may contact the local conservation district or the

department, and the local conservation district or the department

shall advise the property owner on the exemption process. If

requested by the property owner, the local conservation district or

the department shall provide the property owner with a list of

qualified foresters to prepare a forest management plan. The

department shall maintain a list of qualified foresters throughout

the state and shall make the list available to the conservation

districts and to interested property owners. To claim an exemption

under subsection (1), a property owner shall obtain a forest

management plan from a qualified forester and submit a digital copy

of that forest management plan, an application for exemption as

qualified forest property, and a fee of $50.00 to the department on

a form created by the department by September 1 prior to the tax

year within which the exemption is requested. A forest management

plan is not subject to the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442,

MCL 15.231 to 15.246. The department shall forward a copy of the

application to the local conservation district for review and to

the local tax collecting unit for notification of the application.

(3) A conservation district shall review the application to

determine if the applied-for property meets the minimum

requirements set forth in subsection (16)(i) for enrolling into the

qualified forest program. A conservation district shall respond

within 45 days of the date of its receipt of the application

indicating whether the property in the application is eligible for

enrollment. If the conservation district does not respond within 45

days of its receipt of the application, the property shall be

considered eligible for the exemption under this section.

(4) The department shall review the application, comments from

the conservation district, and the forest management plan to

determine if the property is eligible for the exemption under this

section. The department shall review the forest management plan to

determine if the elements required in subsection (16)(e) are in the

plan. Within 90 days of its receipt of the application, forest

management plan, and fee, the department shall review the

application and if the application and supporting documents are not

in compliance, the department shall notify the property owner of

denial. If the application and supporting documents are in

compliance with the requirements of this section, the department

shall approve the application and shall prepare a qualified forest

school tax affidavit, in recordable form, indicating all of the

following:

(a) The name of the property owner.

(b) The legal description of the property.

(d) A statement that the property owner is attesting that the

property for which the exemption is claimed is qualified forest

property and will be managed according to the approved forest

management plan.

(5) The department shall send a qualified forest school tax

affidavit prepared under subsection (4) to the property owner for

execution. The 90-day review period by the department may be

extended upon request of the property owner. The property owner

shall execute the qualified forest school tax affidavit and shall

have the executed qualified forest school tax affidavit recorded by

the register of deeds in the county in which the property is

located. The property owner shall provide a copy of the qualified

forest school tax affidavit to the department. The department shall

provide 1 copy of the qualified forest school tax affidavit to the

conservation district and 1 copy to the department of treasury.

These copies may be sent electronically.

(6) If the application is denied, the property owner has 30

days from the date of notification of the denial by the department

to initiate an appeal of that denial. An appeal of the denial shall

be by certified letter to the director of the department.

(7) To claim an exemption under subsection (1), the owner of

qualified forest property shall provide a copy of the recorded

qualified forest school tax affidavit attesting that the land is

qualified forest property to the local tax collecting unit and

assessor by December 31. An owner may claim an exemption under this

section for not more than 640 acres maximum or the equivalent of 16

survey units consisting of 1/4 of 1/4 of a section of qualified

forest property in each local tax collecting unit. If an exemption

is granted under this section for less than 640 acres in a local

tax collecting unit, an owner of that property may subsequently

claim an exemption for additional property in that local tax

collecting unit if that additional property meets the requirements

of this section.

(8) If a copy of the recorded qualified forest school tax

affidavit is provided to the assessor by the owner, the assessor

shall exempt the property from the collection of the tax as

provided in subsection (1) until December 31 of the year in which

the property is no longer qualified forest property.

(9) Beginning in the year that qualified forest property is

first exempt under this section and each year thereafter, the local

tax collecting unit shall collect a fee on each parcel of qualified

forest property exempt under this section located in that local tax

collecting unit. The fee shall be determined by multiplying 2 mills

by the taxable value of that qualified forest property. The fee

shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as taxes

collected under this act. Each local tax collecting unit shall

disburse the fee collected under this subsection to the department

of treasury for deposit in the private forestland enhancement fund

created in section 51305 of the natural resources and environmental

protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.51305. If property is no

longer exempt as qualified forest property under this section, the

fee under this subsection shall not be collected on that property.

The fee collected in this subsection shall be subject to the

property tax administration fee established by the local tax

collecting unit under section 44.

(10) Not more than 90 days after all or a portion of the

exempted property is no longer qualified forest property, the owner

shall rescind the exemption for the applicable portion of the

property by filing with the register of deeds for the county in

which the exempted property is located a rescission form prescribed

by the department. A copy of the rescission form shall be provided

to the assessor. The rescission form shall include a legal

description of the exempted property. An owner who fails to file a

rescission as required by this subsection is subject to a penalty

of $5.00 per day for each separate failure beginning after the 90

days have elapsed, up to a maximum of $1,000.00. This penalty shall

be collected under 1941 PA 122, MCL 205.1 to 205.31, and shall be

deposited in the private forestland enhancement fund.

(11) An owner of property that is qualified forest property on

December 31 for which an exemption was not on the tax roll may file

an appeal with the July or December board of review under section

53b in the year the exemption was claimed or the immediately

succeeding year.

(12) If property for which an exemption has been granted under

this section is not qualified forest property, the property that

had been subject to that exemption shall be immediately placed on

the tax roll by the local tax collecting unit if the local tax

collecting unit has possession of the tax roll or by the county

treasurer if the county has possession of the tax roll as though

the exemption had not been granted. A corrected tax bill shall be

issued for each tax year being adjusted by the local tax collecting

unit if the local tax collecting unit has possession of the tax

roll or by the county treasurer if the county has possession of the

tax roll.

(13) If all or a portion of property for which an exemption

has been granted under this section is converted by a change in use

and is no longer qualified forest property, an owner shall

immediately notify the local tax collecting unit, the assessor, the

department, and the department of treasury on a form created by the

department. The form shall include a legal description of the

exempted property. A copy of the form shall be filed with the

located. Upon notice that property is no longer qualified forest

property, the local tax collecting unit and assessor shall

immediately rescind the exemption under this section and shall

place the property on the tax roll as though the exemption under

this section had not been granted for the immediately succeeding

tax year and the department of treasury shall immediately begin

collection of any applicable tax and penalty under this act or

under the qualified forest property recapture tax act, 2006 PA 379,

MCL 211.1031 to 211.1036. However, beginning June 1, 2013 and

ending November 30, 2013, owners of property exempt as qualified

forest property prior to January 1, 2013 may execute a new

qualified forest school tax affidavit under this section. If an

owner of property exempt as qualified forest property elects to

execute a new qualified forest school tax affidavit under this

section, that owner is not required to pay the $50.00 fee required

under subsection (2). If an owner of qualified forest property

elects not to execute a new qualified forest school tax affidavit

under this section, the existing affidavit shall be rescinded

without penalty and the property shall be placed on the tax roll as

though the exemption under this section had not been granted. If a

property owner elects not to execute a qualified forest school tax

affidavit under this section, the property is not subject to the

recapture tax provided for under the qualified forest property

recapture tax act, 2006 PA 379, MCL 211.1031 to 211.1036.

(14) If qualified forest property is exempt under this

section, an owner of that qualified forest property shall report to

the department on a form prescribed by the department when a forest

practice or timber harvest has occurred on the qualified forest

property during a calendar year. The report shall indicate the

forest practice completed or the volume and value of timber

harvested on that qualified forest property. One copy of the form

shall be forwarded to the conservation district, and 1 copy shall

be retained by the department for 7 years. If it is determined by

the department that a forest practice or harvest has occurred in a

calendar year and no report was filed, a fine of $500.00 may be

collected by the department. Beginning December 31, 2013 and every

year thereafter, the department shall provide to the standing

committees of the senate and house of representatives with primary

jurisdiction over forestry issues a report that includes all of the

following:

(a) The number of acres of qualified forest property in each

county.

(b) The amount of timber produced on qualified forest property

each year.

conservation districts and the total number of forest management

plans submitted for approval each year.

(15) While qualified forest property is exempt under this

section, the owner shall retain the current management plan, most

recent harvest records, recorded copy of a receipt of the tax

exemption, and a map that shows the location and size of any

buildings and structures on the property. The owner shall make the

documents available to the department upon request. The department

shall maintain a database listing all qualified forest properties,

including the dates indicated for forest practices and harvests in

the forest management plan, and shall notify the property owner and

the conservation district in any year that forest practices or

harvests are to occur. If an owner does not accomplish forest

practices and harvests within 3 years after the time specified in

the current forest management plan, and the plan has not been

amended to extend the date of forest practices and harvests, the

property is not eligible for the exemption under this section and

the property shall be placed on the tax roll as though the

exemption under this section had not been granted as provided in

this section and shall be subject to repayment as indicated in the

qualified forest property recapture tax act, 2006 PA 379, MCL

211.1031 to 211.1036. Information in the database specific to an

individual property owner's forest management plan is exempt from

disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL

15.231 to 15.246. However, information in the database in the

aggregate, including, but not limited to, how much timber would be

expected to be on the market each year as a result of enrollees, is

not exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act,

1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

(16) As used in this section:

(a) "Approved forest management plan" means a forest

management plan developed by a qualified forester. An owner of

property shall submit a forest management plan to the department

for approval as prescribed in subsection (2). The forest management

plan shall include a statement signed by the owner that he or she

agrees to comply with all terms and conditions contained in the

approved forest management plan. If a forest management plan and

application are submitted to the department, the department shall

review and either approve or disapprove the owner's application

within 90 days of submission. Approval of the plan shall be based

solely on compliance with the elements required in subdivision (e).

Denial of the plan shall be based solely on noncompliance with the

requirements listed in subdivision (e). If the department

disapproves a forest management plan, the department shall indicate

the changes necessary to qualify the forest management plan for

approval on subsequent review. An owner may submit amendments to

his or her forestry plan to the department. The department may

reject amendments that delay a harvest date repeatedly or

indefinitely. A forest management plan submitted for approval shall

be for a maximum of 20 years. To continue receiving an exemption

under this section, an owner of property shall submit a digital

copy of any succeeding proposed forest management plan to the

department for approval together with a fee of $50.00. The first

amendment to the plan shall not be subject to a fee. Additional

amendments may be subject to a fee of $50.00.

(b) "Conservation district" means a conservation district

organized under part 93 of the natural resources and environmental

protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.9301 to 324.9313.

in section 2 of the qualified forest property recapture tax act,

2006 PA 379, MCL 211.1032.

(d) "Department" means the department of agriculture and rural

development.

(e) "Forest management plan" means a written plan prepared and

signed by a qualified forester that prescribes measures to optimize

production, utilization, and regeneration of forest resources. The

forest management plan shall include a schedule and timetables for

House Bill No. 4380 as amended June 11, 2014

the various silvicultural practices used on forestlands, which

shall be a maximum of 20 years in length. A forest management plan

shall include all of the following:

(i) The name and address of each owner of the property.

(ii) The legal description and parcel identification number of

the property or of the parcel on which the property is located.

(iii) A statement of the owner's forest management objectives.

(iv) A map, diagram, or aerial photograph that identifies both

forested and unforested areas of the property, using conventional

map symbols indicating the species, size, and stocking rate and

other major features of the property, including the location of any

buildings. The location and use of any buildings can be established

on a map created by a qualified forester and does not require a

survey by a registered surveyor.

(v) A description of forest practice, including harvesting,

thinning, and reforestation, that will be undertaken, specifying

the approximate period of time before each is completed.

(vi) A description of soil conservation practices that may be

necessary to control any soil erosion that may result from the

forest practice described pursuant to subparagraph (v).

(vii) A description of activities that may be undertaken for

the management of forest resources other than trees, including

wildlife habitat, watersheds, and aesthetic features.

(f) "Forest practice" means any action intended to improve

forestland or forest resources and includes, but is not limited to,

any of the following:

<<(i~~) The preparation of forest management plans for forestland.~~

House Bill No. 4380 as amended June 11, 2014

(i)(ii)>> The improvement of species of forest trees.

<<(ii)(~~iii~~)>> Reforestation.

<<(iii)(iv)>> The harvesting of species of forest trees.

<<(iv)(v)>> Road construction associated with the improvement or

harvesting of forest tree species or reforestation.

<<(v)(vi)>> Use of chemicals or fertilizers for the purpose of

growing

or managing species of forest trees.

<<(vi)(~~vii~~)>> Applicable silvicultural practices.

(g) "Forest products" includes, but is not limited to, timber

and pulpwood-related products.

(h) "Harvest" means the point at which timber that has been

cut, severed, or removed for purposes of sale or use is first

measured in the ordinary course of business as determined by

reference to common practice in the timber industry.

(i) "Qualified forest property" means a parcel of real

property that meets all of the following conditions as determined

by the department of agriculture and rural development:

(i) Is not less than 20 contiguous acres in size. For parcels

less than 40 acres, not less than 80% shall be stocked with

productive forest capable of producing forest products. For parcels

40 acres or more, not less than 50% shall be stocked with

productive forest capable of producing forest products. Contiguity

is not broken by a road, a right-of-way, or property purchased or

taken under condemnation proceedings by a public utility for power

transmission lines if the 2 parcels separated by the purchased or

condemned property were a single parcel prior to the sale or

condemnation. As used in this subparagraph, "productive forest"

House Bill No. 4380 as amended June 11, 2014

means real property capable of growing not less than 20 cubic feet

of wood per acre per year. However, if property has been considered

productive forest, an act of God that negatively affects that

property shall not result in that property not being considered

productive forest.

(ii) Is subject to an approved forest management plan.

(iii) For a parcel exempt as qualified agricultural property

under section 7ee, the qualified forest portion of the parcel shall

be not less than 20 contiguous acres. If the qualified forest

portion of the parcel is less than 40 acres, not less than 80%

shall be stocked with productive forest capable of producing forest

products. If the qualified forest portion of the parcel is 40 acres

or more, not less than 50% shall be stocked with productive forest

capable of producing forest products.

(j) "Qualified forester" means an individual who meets 1 or

more of the following requirements and has registered with the

department of agriculture and rural development under section 51306

of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA

451, MCL 324.51306:

(i) Is a forester certified by the society of American

foresters.

(ii) Is a forest stewardship plan writer.

(iii) Is a technical service provider as registered by the

United States department of agriculture for forest management plan

development.

<<(iv) Is a forester who was registered under former

article 21 of the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, on the effective

date of the amendatory act that added this subparagraph. This subparagraph does not apply beginning 7 years after the effective

date of the amendatory act that added this subparagraph.>>

(iv~~) Is a registered forester.~~

~~(k) "Registered forester" means a person registered under~~

~~article 21 of the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.2101 to~~

~~339.2108.~~

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect

unless all of the following bills of the 97th Legislature are

enacted into law:

(a) Senate Bill No. 481.

(b) Senate Bill No. 484.