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Activities continue to revolve around the budget and funding issues. The budget proposed by the Division of Forestry would include closing the two nurseries in the state and would affect other services. KFIA continues to urge members to let their legislators know the importance of keeping the nurseries to provide seedlings for planting in Kentucky.
Listed below is an important bill that affects the industry and KFIA is working to make sure that if the bill moves forward it will not have a bad affect on the wood industry. The bill has been introduced due to the increased concerns of timber theft especially raised in eastern Kentucky.
House Bill 489 Introduced February 11 Creates a new section of KRS Chapter 364 to require contracts for sale of timber and specify contents thereof; require notice to neighbors of timber cutting; require marking of cut timber prior to removal from property; specify duties of the Division of Forestry with regard to timber sales and theft; require a timber buyer to provide an accurate manifest of cut timber transported from the property; grant the Attorney General, Commonwealth's attorneys, and county attorneys jurisdiction in timber theft and timber damage cases; provide whistle blower protection to persons who report timber crimes; amend KRS 364.110 relating to defacing timber brand to add a provision relating to timber branded pursuant to this act; amend KRS 364.120 to update a section reference, amend KRS 364.990 relating to penalties to provide penalties for violation of new sections of this act; amend KRS 514.010 relating to definitions for theft offenses to specifically include timber and trees as property which may be the subject of theft; create a new section of KRS Chapter 532 to provide specific measures of restitution in timber theft cases including reimbursement of costs of investigation and prosecution; repeal KRS 364.130 and 371.100.
This legislation would put a huge regulatory burden on both landowners and loggers and is opposed by KFIA. The Association has met with the bill sponsor and is in the process of changing the bill to only affect the penalty aspect of timber theft by making it a felony. The bill is assigned to the House Natural Resources Committee and will not receive a hearing until adjustments are made to make it less regulatory.
KFIA will keep membership updated on changes and any movement of House Bill 489.
The major bills that are being followed by KFIA are listed in the members only section of the KFIA website under 2008 Legislation Session. The progress of the bills can be tracked closely and is updated on a regular basis. To access the members only section, enter ID # 5369 and password for the password.
Go to the LRC website at www.lrc.state.ky.us to see complete information on all legislation. You can contact and find your legislator from the LRC website or call 800-372-7181 to leave a message or 502-564-8100 to speak directly to your legislator.
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