Bill No.: SF0143                  Drafter:  JDA

LSO No.:  11LSO-0565              Effective Date:  3/3/2011

Enrolled Act No.:  SEA0072

Chapter No.:       141

Prime Sponsor:     Senator Bebout

Catch Title:       Federal natural resource policy.

Subject:  County investigation and litigation related to federal natural resource policy.

Summary/Major Elements:

● This act provides that funds may be expended from the federal natural resources policy account to investigate or participate in legal action by counties related to federal land, water, air, mineral and other natural resource policies which may affect the tax base of the state, wildlife management, state species, recreation, private property rights, water rights or leasehold rights..

● This legislation specifies that counties may investigate or participate in any legal action that determines whether the state or the counties are entitled to damages as a result of secretary of the interior order number 3310 related to protecting the wilderness characteristics of lands or other federal non-legislative action related to the use of federal lands in the state.

● The legislation appropriates funds to the federal natural resource policy account for the purposes of county investigations and litigation consistent with the purposes specified in the act.

Comments:

● Requires a report to the Joint Agriculture, Joint Minerals and Joint Appropriations Committees from any county taking action under the act.

● Appropriates $250,000 from the general fund to the federal natural resources policy account.