Revises provisions relating to forestry. (BDR 47-377)

2025 Regular Session

AB 86 narrows law to apply permit and post-harvest requirements only to logging operations, removing references to undefined “cutting operations.”

Approved by the Governor. Chapter 69.

AB 86 (BDR 47-377) — Summary

Status: Approved by the Governor — Chapter 69. Effective date: July 1, 2025.
Author/Sponsor: Assemblymember Boerner; sponsored by Assembly Committee on Natural Resources on behalf of the Legislative Committee for the Review and Oversight of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Marlette Lake Water System.

Purpose / Intent

AB 86 clarifies and narrows statutory language in Chapter 528 of Nevada Revised Statutes (forestry/logging) by removing references to “cutting operation” from specified statutory requirements. The change was advanced to reduce public confusion and improve agency efficiency in applying logging permit and related requirements, and to better align statutory language with how commercial timber activities are regulated.

Key provisions

Amends NRS 528.042:

Removes the phrase “or cutting” from the requirement that a timber owner or their agent secure a logging permit from the State Forester Firewarden prior to operations. The statute will continue to require permits prior to any “logging operation.”

Amends NRS 528.057:

Removes “or cutting” from the post-operation requirement that a timber owner/operator sow suitable grass seed on skid trails, skid roads, unmaintained roads and landings.
Existing seeding requirements remain unchanged (seed approval by State Forester Firewarden; not sown in unsuitable conditions; minimum 12 pounds/acre when moisture conditions allow).

Amends NRS 528.086:

Removes “or cutting” from the requirement that the holder of a timberland conversion certificate furnish a copy of the certificate to any timber operator prior to operations on covered land.

Effective date: The act takes effect July 1, 2025.

Who is affected

Directly: timber owners and timber operators conducting forest product harvesting in Nevada, and the Division of Forestry/State Forester Firewarden (which administers logging permits and approves post-harvest seeding).

Indirectly: agencies and stakeholders involved in forest health projects (including Tahoe Basin partners) and persons relying on statutory definitions to determine when permits and post-operation requirements apply.

Fiscal: The bill notes “Effect on the State: Yes” but contains no appropriation; it was referred to fiscal committee.

Procedural notes / legislative history highlights

Introduced January 6, 2025; underwent committee hearings and at least one amendment (Amendment No. 48) to change bill title/clarity.

Division of Forestry proposed an amendment during the process to remove all references to “cutting operation” (explaining the term is undefined and creates confusion); a separate proposal to define “cutting operation” as commercial harvesting was also considered.

Enrolled, presented to the Governor, and enacted as Chapter 69 (effective July 1, 2025).

Practical effect

AB 86 narrows statutory coverage so that the cited permit, seeding, and timberland-conversion-certificate provisions explicitly apply to “logging operations” (as defined elsewhere in NRS), while removing the parallel reference to undefined “cutting operations.” This is intended to clarify which activities require permits and post-harvest obligations, reducing ambiguity for landowners and regulators.