MS HB1186

Authorizes local school boards to enter into long-term contracts up to 60 years for the sale of timber, timber products, and other forest products from sixteenth section school lands.

Allows school boards to enter into cooperative agreements with other boards of education and the State Forestry Commission to negotiate joint supply contracts, subject to Secretary of State review and approval before execution.

Requires the State Forestry Commission to oversee approval of long-term timber sale contracts to ensure they are in the school board's best interest and that fair prices are received.

Grants school boards authority to contract with private entities for management and operation of sixteenth section lands for timber sales, with oversight from the State Forestry Commission on product valuation when using private contracts instead of public bids.

Defines new terms including "biomass," "timber," and "timber products" for purposes of forest product sales from school trust lands.