BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �






                  SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND FISCAL REVIEW
                                Mark Leno, Chair
                                        
          Bill No:       AB 1492
          Author:        Committee on Budget
          As Amended:    August 7, 2012
          Consultant:    Catherine Freeman
          Fiscal:        Yes
          Hearing Date:  August 15, 2012
          
          Subject:  Timber Harvest Plan Trailer Bill

          Summary:  This bill makes various changes related to Timber 
          Harvest Plans and revenues to implement the budget actions 
          as part of the 2012-13 budget package.

          Background:  As part of the 2012-13 budget package, AB 1492 
          makes various statutory changes to implement the budget 
          act.

          Proposed Law:  The bill includes the following changes:
          1.Allows a timber harvest plan approved after July 31, 2012 
            to be in effect for a period of not more than five years 
            with extensions authorized for a two-year period.  

          2.Establishes the Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration 
            Fund in the State Treasury and imposes a new assessment 
            on lumber as follows:

               a.     Imposes an assessment on lumber products and 
                 engineered wood products at a rate of one percent of 
                 gross receipts from the sale of those products.

               b.     Funds are required to be available upon 
                 appropriation for administrative costs, and for 
                 purposes relating to the regulatory activities of 
                 the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and 
                 other state and local agencies involved in the 
                 management of forest lands.

               c.     Funds may be made available for management of 
                 forest lands, the cost of managing forest resource 
                 programs in the state, and for certain grants to 
                 state and local public agencies for fire protection, 
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                 fire suppression and restoration activities.

               d.     Retailers may be reimbursed for costs to set up 
                 collection systems.  The fee may be itemized on 
                 receipts.

          3.Requires the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency 
            annually to submit a report to the Joint Legislative 
            Budget Committee on the activities of all state 
            departments, agencies and boards relating to forest and 
            timberland regulation.

          4.Allows civil action by a public agency to recover damages 
            caused in a fire but limits the measure of damages for 
            injuries to timber, trees, or underwood negligently cause 
            by fire to the actual damages suffered.  

          Fiscal Effect:  This bill should not result in any changes 
          to the budget act in related budget actions.

          Support:   Unknown

          Opposed:  Unknown

          Comments:  This bill provides the necessary statutory 
          references to enact the 2012-13 budget related to Timber 
          Harvest Plans.
















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