Relating to responsibilities of timber buyers and persons transporting timber, and providing penalties

This bill relates to responsibilities of timber buyers and persons engaged in the business of transporting timber. The bill amends the definition of “timber” to remove certain wood products from the exception to the definition. The bill amends the definition of “timber buyer” to remove the requirement that the person buys timber from a timber grower. Current law requires a timber buyer to file with the natural resource commission a surety bond that is not less than $3,000 and not more than $15,000. The bill requires the surety bond to be for not less than $25,000 and not more than $50,000.36 that lists violations of the Code section. The bill requires a person engaged in the business of transporting timber to possess a completed timber transport certificate, which shall be on a form approved by the department of natural resources. The bill requires a person taking possession of timber by purchase to first obtain a copy of the timber transport certificate, or written proof of ownership or consent of the owner as provided in current law. The bill makes a violation of timber buying or transporting practices for which no other punishment is provided a serious misdemeanor. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $315 but not more than $1,875.