The Rural Logging Efficiency Act of 2023 establishes the Logging Efficiency Grant Fund, which will be administered by the Alabama Forestry Commission to support rural economic development. The Act recognizes the importance of the forest product manufacturing sector to Alabama's economy and aims to enhance the efficiency of the forest supply chain. It provides a stable funding source for maintaining and constructing public rural bridges, researching technologies to improve forest product harvesting and transportation, and supporting logging workforce development. The Alabama Forestry Commission is tasked with implementing the Act, ensuring non-discriminatory grant distribution, and creating an advisory committee to prioritize grant applications.

The Logging Efficiency Grant Fund will consist of various revenue sources, including legislative appropriations, grants, and donations. The fund's allocation will be divided as follows: 5% for administrative purposes, 10% for workforce development and research, and 85% for grants to county commissions for rural bridge projects, with a focus on those that enhance forest product production. The Act emphasizes the need for inclusivity in the advisory committee's composition and mandates that no funds can be withdrawn without legislative appropriation. The Act will take effect three months after its passage and approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40-21-51