AB 1492 Summary

• Establishes the Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund and imposes a 1% assessment on retail sales of lumber and engineered wood products beginning January 1, 2013, administered by the State Board of Equalization.

• Restricts recoverable damages in civil fire damage actions by public agencies to quantifiable ecological, environmental, and restoration costs that are reasonable relative to pre-fire property value, prohibiting enhancement of environmental damage claims under other statutory provisions.

• Extends timber harvesting plan validity periods from 3 to 5 years for plans approved on or after July 31, 2012, and allows 2-year extensions for qualifying plans, while requiring extension notices 140 days prior to plan expiration for plans approved between January 1, 2010 and August 31, 2012.

• Appropriates $1.5 million from the new fund to the Department of Fish and Game to support timber harvest plan review and dedicates assessment revenues to forest regulatory costs, fuel treatment grants, and restoration projects.

• Requires the Natural Resources Agency Secretary to submit annual reports on state forest regulation activities and costs, and directs a comprehensive review by March 1, 2014 on program adequacy and funding recommendations.