1. (a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Rural Logging Efficiency Act of 2023.

2. (b) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

   1. (1) The forest product manufacturing sector is a large contributor to the state’s economy.
   2. (2) In order to have a successful forest product manufacturing sector, it is imperative that the supply chain for forest raw materials be as competitive and efficient as possible.
   3. (3) Logging companies are a vital link of the forest supply chain system and it is critical for the state’s economy that these companies have every opportunity to be successful.

   4. (4) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide a stable funding source for the following:

      1. a. Maintaining, repairing, replacing, and constructing public rural bridges that may not qualify for funding through traditional funding formulas used by the state and counties to distribute revenue generated by fuel taxes.
      2. b. Researching and implementing technologies that enhance forest product harvesting and transportation efficiencies.
      3. c. Providing grants to support logging workforce development.

3. (c) As used in this section, the following words have the following meanings:

   1. (1) FOREST PRODUCTS. Any material harvested from a forest or generated by the manufacture of a finished product using materials harvested from a forest, including, but not limited to, logs, pulpwood, chips, poles, veneer, and stumps.
   2. (2) RURAL AREA. Any incorporated area within the state with a population of 2,500 inhabitants or fewer according to the most recent federal census or any unincorporated area within the state.
   3. (3) RURAL BRIDGE. A load restricted public bridge located in a rural area and posted to limit commercial or school bus traffic.

4. (d) The Alabama Forestry Commission shall do all of the following:

   1. (1) Adopt rules to implement and administer this section.
   2. (2) Ensure that grants provided for the purposes described in subsection (e) are provided in a manner that does not discriminate based on gender, race, or disability status of the applicant.
   3. (3) Ensure that all grant applicants are residents of the State of Alabama.

   4. (4) Ensure that all revenues deposited in the Logging Efficiency Grant Fund created under subsection (e) are used as follows:

      1. a. Five percent to be retained by the Alabama Forestry Commission for administrative purposes.
      2. b. Ten percent to fund grants that support logging workforce development and advance research and implementation of technologies that improve forest product harvesting and transportation efficiencies.
      3. c. Eighty-five percent to fund grants to county commissions to maintain, repair, replace, and construct public rural bridges. Grants will be prioritized based on the county commission’s application setting forth the amount of matching contributions provided to the project and the rural economic impact of the project, with emphasis placed on forest product production.
   5. (5) Create an advisory committee to assist with prioritizing the project grant applications. The advisory committee shall include representatives of county government and the forest products industry.
   6. (6) Coordinate its appointments to the advisory committee to assure that the committee membership is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural and economic diversity of the state.

5. (e)

   1. (1) There is created a fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Logging Efficiency Grant Fund. The fund shall consist of all of the following:

      1. a. Revenue sources as directed by, and at the discretion of, the Legislature.
      2. b. All grants, gifts, bequests, or donations made to the fund from any source whatsoever.
      3. c. Appropriations as directed by, and at the discretion of, the Legislature.
      4. d. Any other lawful source.
   2. (2) Monies in the fund shall be used and expended by the Alabama Forestry Commission in accordance with subsection (d).
   3. (3) No monies shall be withdrawn or expended from the fund for any purpose unless the monies have been appropriated by the Legislature and allocated pursuant to this section. Any monies appropriated shall be budgeted and allotted pursuant to the Budget Management Act in accordance with Article 4, commencing with Section 41-4-80 of Chapter 4 of Title 41, and only in the amounts provided by the Legislature in the general appropriations act or other appropriations act.

(Act 2023-524, §1.)