Post by Logan on Apr 6, 2016 4:11:33 GMT -6
A state timber bill envisioned as a helping hand for embattled Viking Lumber is advancing toward a final vote.
On Monday afternoon, the House Resources Committee approved Senate Bill 32, which expands the ability of the Alaska Division of Forestry to offer negotiated timber sales in state forests. Existing law prohibits the division from selling large amounts of timber without a competitive bid process unless the forested area has a high unemployment rate.
The bill now goes to the House Finance Committee for approval. If it earns an OK, it will head to a vote of the full House and on to Gov. Bill Walker, who introduced the bill in January 2015.
Before advancing the bill, committee members amended it to require 25 percent of proceeds from a sale be spent on local division activities.
Read more: juneauempire.com/state/2016-04-05/timber-bill-advances
On Monday afternoon, the House Resources Committee approved Senate Bill 32, which expands the ability of the Alaska Division of Forestry to offer negotiated timber sales in state forests. Existing law prohibits the division from selling large amounts of timber without a competitive bid process unless the forested area has a high unemployment rate.
The bill now goes to the House Finance Committee for approval. If it earns an OK, it will head to a vote of the full House and on to Gov. Bill Walker, who introduced the bill in January 2015.
Before advancing the bill, committee members amended it to require 25 percent of proceeds from a sale be spent on local division activities.
Read more: juneauempire.com/state/2016-04-05/timber-bill-advances