87-1-603. Department-owned land subject to taxation -- exceptions. (1) All land owned by the department of fish, wildlife, and parks is subject to taxation and must be assessed by the department of revenue as if it were taxable to a private citizen, except:

(a) department-owned land purchased before May 10, 2009, totaling less than 100 acres in a county; and

(b) lands owned by the department purchased before May 10, 2009, for game or bird farms or for fish hatchery purposes or lands acquired and managed for the purposes of Title 23, chapter 1.

(2) For every department purchase of land, the department shall notify the treasurer in the county where land was purchased.

(3) The amount to be paid to each county pursuant to this section is statutorily appropriated, as provided in 17-7-502.