AL HB189

Establishes the Rural Logging Efficiency Act of 2023 and creates the Logging Efficiency Grant Fund administered by the Alabama Forestry Commission to support rural economic development in the forest products industry.

Allocates fund revenues as follows: 5% for Alabama Forestry Commission administrative purposes, 10% for logging workforce development and forest product harvesting technology grants, and 85% for county commission grants to maintain and construct public rural bridges.

Defines rural areas as incorporated areas with 2,500 or fewer residents or any unincorporated area, and rural bridges as load-restricted public bridges in rural areas posted to limit commercial or school bus traffic.

Requires the Alabama Forestry Commission to adopt implementation rules, ensure non-discrimination in grant distribution, verify applicants are Alabama residents, and create an advisory committee including county government and forest products industry representatives to prioritize grant applications.

Fund revenues may come from legislative appropriations, grants, gifts, bequests, donations, and other lawful sources, with all expenditures requiring legislative appropriation and budgeting under the Budget Management Act.