HB 267

This act amends Sections 9-3-5, 9-3-7, 9-13-3, 9-13-10, 9-13-11, 9-13-12, 9-13-140, 9-13-141, 9-13-142, 9-13-221, 9-13-222, and 9-13-225, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) authorize the State Forester to receive and use annual and sick leave and reimbursement for travel; (2) provide that construction of State Forestry Commission offices or buildings is not be subject to the Division of Construction Management within the Department of Finance unless the cost exceeds $750,000; (3) subject the conveyance of commission lands that are more than $50,000 in value to state laws governing the sale of certain state lands; (4) remove forest law enforcement officers' status, and all associated powers, as constituted peace officers of the state; (5) remove commission employees' right to enter lands to investigate fires; (6) revise the criminal violation of burning without a commission burn permit; (7) replace the State Forester's authority to declare drought emergency conditions with wildfire emergency conditions in counties; and (8) further provide for the seizure and forfeiture of equipment used by persons violating felony state laws involving forest products. This act adds Sections 9-3-5.1 and 9-13-11.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) authorize the State Forester to declare wildfire alerts when weather conditions create a heightened level of danger from fire or smoke; and (2) further provide for the issuance and requirements of commission burn permits to conduct prescribed burns. This act also repeals: (1) Sections 9-13-5, 9-13-6, 9-13-7, 9-13-8, and 9-13-9, Code of Alabama 1975, which provided for the appointment, duties, and compensation of forest fire wardens; (2) Sections 9-13-13, 9-13-14, and 9-13-15, Code of Alabama 1975, which prohibited certain conduct to prevent the spread of fire; and (3) Sections 9-13-24, 9-13-64, 9-13-223, and 9-13-226, Code of Alabama 1975, which established the powers and duties of commission employees, fees for arresting officers, and procedures for reporting and awarding property after timber theft.