COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

Senate Bill No. 508

(By Senators Fanning and Unger)

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[Originating in the Committee on Natural Resources;

reported February 23, 2010.]

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A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §19-1A-6, relating to recovering costs by the Division of Forestry for assisting private landowners with timber sale preparation.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §19-1A-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 1A. DIVISION OF FORESTRY.
§19-1A-6. Recovering costs for assisting private landowners with timber sale preparation.

The division may assist with private landowner timber sale preparation, including assisting with volume estimations and timber marking. The rate charged shall not be less than the prevailing market rate charged by the private sector for these services. The director shall establish written policies and procedures regulating timber sale preparation assistance with the intent of avoiding conflicts of interest and direct competition with the private consulting sector.