OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 6551

AN ACT CONCERNING STATE FORESTRY PROGRAMS.

SUMMARY:

This bill increases, from $ 10 to $ 25 per cord, the minimum amount the Department of Environmental Protection must charge, for sales of state wood or timber sold as fuel. It specifies that this price is for noncommercial sales.

The bill also increases the amount of proceeds from state wood sales that must be deposited in the Conservation Fund. Under current law, sale proceeds from wood, timber, and other products from publicly owned woodlands must be deposited in the General Fund. Any proceeds in excess of $ 600,000 go to the Conservation Fund. Under the bill, proceeds in excess of $ 400,000 go into the fund. By law, such funds that go to the Conservation Fund may only be used to support forestry programs.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

BACKGROUND

Legislative History

On April 13, 2009, the Appropriations Committee referred the bill to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding (FRB) Committee. On April 16, 2009, the FRB Committee favorably reported a substitute that specifies the sale of cords of state wood for fuel are for noncommercial sales. It also changes the threshold amount of wood, timber, and other product sale proceeds that go to the Conservation and General funds under the original bill.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Environment Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference

Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute