Hardwoods forestry industry legislation signed into law

Gov. Tom Wolf recently signed House Bill 110 into law, expanding membership on the state’s Hardwoods Development Council.

It took effect immediately as Act 14 of 2021.

Created by the Hardwoods Development Council Act of 1988, the Hardwoods Development Council works with state and local governments and others to promote access to timber resources on private and public land. It does this by promoting public knowledge of the industry through the WoodMobile and other initiatives, supporting and assisting the forest products industry in developing domestic and foreign markets for value-added products, and promoting and expanding the development, processing, and manufacturing of value-added forest products.

Act 14 adds the state Department of Education secretary, a logger, and a private-sector forester to the council. A member of the PA Forest Products Association replaces the representative of the now-defunct Hardwood Lumber Manufacturing Association. It also designates one seat on the council for the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group.

“For more than three decades, the Hardwoods Development Council has helped our forestry evolve and grow,” state Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), who sponsored the bill, said. “Expanding representation on the council to include additional industry representatives will only enhance the council’s ability to develop and advocate for this important segment of our agriculture industry.”