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AB86 • 2025
Revises provisions relating to forestry. (BDR 47-377)
AN ACT relating to forestry; revising provisions relating to logging permits; removing certain requirements relating to a cutting operation; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. Close title AN ACT relating to forestry; revising provisions relating to logging permits; removing certain requirements relating to a cutting operation; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Enacted
This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.
- Sponsor
- Assembly Committee on Natural Resources
- Last action
- Official status
- Approved by the Governor.
Chapter 69. (See full list below)
- Effective date
- Not listed
Plain English Breakdown
The official source does not provide specific details on enforcement or impacts on forest health and safety, leaving these points as speculative.
Changes in Forestry Rules
This law changes rules about logging permits and requirements for planting grass seeds after cutting trees.
What This Bill Does
- Removes the requirement to secure a logging permit before starting a cutting operation.
- Gets rid of the requirement to plant grass seeds on trails, roads, and landings upon completion of a cutting operation.
- No longer requires holders of timberland conversion certificates to give copies of these certificates to timber operators.
Who It Names or Affects
- Timber owners
- Logging companies
Terms To Know
- logging permit
- A document needed from the State Forester Firewarden before cutting trees commercially.
- timberland conversion certificate
- A type of certificate that covers land where timber is being converted to another use.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law does not specify who will enforce these changes.
- It's unclear how the removal of requirements might affect forest health and safety.
Amendments
These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.
Plain English: Amendment 48 to AB86 removes the requirement for logging permits and certain reseeding requirements for cutting operations.
- Removes the requirement for timber owners or their agents to secure a logging permit before conducting a cutting operation.
- Eliminates the need for timber operators to sow grass seed on trails, roads, and landings after completing a cutting operation.
- Exempts holders of timberland conversion certificates from providing copies of these certificates to timber operators prior to a cutting operation.
- The amendment text does not specify the extent or conditions under which these changes apply beyond 'cutting operations'.
Bill History
-
2025-01-06
Nevada Electronic Legislative Information System
Approved by the Governor.
Chapter 69. (See full list below)
Official Summary Text
Revises provisions relating to forestry. (BDR 47-377)
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
- 83rd Session (2025)
Assembly Bill No. 86–Committee on Natural Resources
CHAPTER..........
AN ACT relating to forestry; revising provisions relating to logging
permits; removing certain requirements relating to a cutting
operation; and providing other matters properly relating
thereto.
Legislative Counsel’s Digest:
Under existing law, a timber owner or the agent of a timber owner is required
to secure a logging permit from the State Forester Fireward en prior to any logging
or cutting operation. (NRS 528.042) Existing law defines the term “logging
operation” as the commercial harvesting of trees by a timber owner or the agent of
a timber owner using certain methods. (NRS 528.0175) Section 1 of this bill
removes the requirement to secure a logging permit for a cutting operation.
Existing law requires every timber owner or operator to sow suitable grass seed
on certain trails, roads and landings upon completion of a logging or cutting
operation. (NRS 528 .057) Existing law also requires the holder of a timberland
conversion certificate to provide a copy of the certificate to any timber operator
prior to any logging or cutting operation on land covered by the certificate. (NRS
528.086) Sections 1.3 and 1.7 of this bill remove such requirements for a cutting
operation.
EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. NRS 528.042 is hereby amended to read as follows:
528.042 1. Prior to any logging [or cutting ] operation, any
timber owner or the agent of the timber owner shall secure a logging
permit from the State Forester Firewarden.
2. Application for such permit shall be made to the nearest
office of the Division of Forestry of the State Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources.
Sec. 1.3. NRS 528.057 is hereby amended to read as follows:
528.057 1. Every timber owner or operator, upon completion
of his or her logging [or cutting] operation, shall sow suitable grass
seed on skid trails, skid roads, unmaintained roads and landings to
help maintain the productive condition of the cut -over timberlands.
Drill seedings shall be done where feasible.
2. The seed shall:
(a) Be approved by the State Forester Firewarden;
(b) Not be sown during windy weather or when the ground is
frozen or under any other unsuitable conditions; and
(c) Be spread evenly at not less than 12 pounds per acre when
moisture conditions are favorable.
– 2 –
- 83rd Session (2025)
Sec. 1.7. NRS 528.086 is hereby amended to read as follows:
528.086 Prior to any logging [or cutting] operation on any land
covered by a timberland conversion certificate, the holder shall
furnish a copy of such certificate to any timber operator harvesting
forest products on such land.
Sec. 2. This act becomes effective on July 1, 2025.
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