HB 2753 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

Finds that the management of the state-owned forests, including the calculation of sustainable harvest levels, must be carefully balanced to provide economic benefits to the trust beneficiaries, protection to the state's natural resources, and support to the state's rural communities.

Creates the joint legislative forest management work group to meet in the interim preceding the 2005 legislative session to study, investigate, and weigh the options available to the state with regard to third-party certification of state-owned forests.

Requires that any recommendations from the work group must be reported to the legislature in the form of suggested legislation prior to the start of the 2005 legislative session.