Committee OKs Changes To State’s Logging Tax Credit Program

The state Legislature is moving forward on a bill to make changes to Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law program.

The program gives property tax breaks to landowners who agree to occasionally log timber from their land. Landowners get a larger tax break if they also allow public access to their land, but they can make up to 160 acres private.

The bill would lift that 160-acre cap and let owners lease the restricted land to hunters. Proponents say the bill benefits both the forest products industry and the environment.

But Oshkosh Rep. Gordon Hintz said it’s departing from the original intent of the program to encourage sustainable forest management.

“A lot of things in this bill neuter the (Department of Natural Resources’) ability to execute the purpose of the program,” Hintz said.

The bill would also redirect program profits from the DNR to local governments.

It passed the Joint Finance Committee on Thursday and may soon go before the full Legislature.