FOREST PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT                                                                S.B. 1061:

                                                                                               COMMITTEE SUMMARY

Senate Bill 1061 (as introduced 3-29-12)

Sponsor:  Senator John Moolenaar

Committee:  Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes

Date Completed:  5-30-12

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 503 (State Forest Products Industry Development Council) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to carry out a number of tasks related to the development and promotion of the State's forest products industry jointly with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

Part 503 requires the DNR to do all of the following:

-- Advise the Legislature and the Governor on forest management and development and other matters relevant to the development of the forest products industry in Michigan.

-- Develop a forestry development plan to improve the State's business climate for forestry, assure a stable timber supply, and coordinate public and private forestry activities.

-- Identify the needs of the forest products industry.

-- Promote and encourage the development of the forest products industry in Michigan.

-- Promote and encourage the expansion of existing forest products companies in Michigan and attract new forest products companies to locate in the State.

-- Perform other functions the DNR considers necessary for the development of the forest products industry in Michigan.

-- Promote and encourage the use of the State's forest products by other states and for export.

-- Report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the Department's activities to promote the development of the forest products industry in Michigan.

Under the bill, the DNR and MDARD would have to do all of these things jointly.

MCL 324.50301 & 324.50302                                           Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

                                                                                       Fiscal Analyst:  Bruce Baker

Josh Sefton

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.