The Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee approved legislation to allow foresters to use their trucks to move equipment that is normally used just for logging.
House Bill 262 (HB262) is sponsored by State Rep. Wes Allen (R-Troy).
Allen said, “In a bill that we passed last year we created a new restrictive tag for foresters that allowed them to use their trucks to carry wood from the woods to the woodyard.
“It said wood only,” Allen said. “This is too restrictive.
“There were some loggers that were hauling their equipment: their skidders, harvesters and loaders from one site to another with their trucks and they were ticketed. This bill is [meant] to fix this.”
The Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee voted 10-0 to give HB262 a favorable report.
The Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee is chaired by Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Lineville).
This has been a real problem for loggers. 1819 News has heard from loggers asking when this legislation was going to be passed. This has been a top priority piece of legislation for the Alabama Forestry Association.
Forestry is one of the largest industries in the State of Alabama, which is over 70% forested.
Allen is a candidate for Alabama Secretary of State in the May 24, Republican primary.
HB262 has already passed the Alabama House of Representatives. It could be addressed by the Alabama Senate as soon as Thursday.
The committee also voted for legislation to exempt farmers’ grain bins from ad valorem taxes.
Thursday will be day 18 of the 2022 Alabama Regular Legislative Session.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
