OH HB515

Establishes comprehensive timber harvesting contract requirements, including written agreements between landowners/timber growers and timber buyers that must contain property boundaries, timber descriptions, pricing, harvest dates, and GPS coordinates for areas within 100 feet of property lines.

Creates new timber theft forester positions within the Division of Forestry with specific jurisdiction and qualifications to investigate alleged timber theft violations on public and private lands.

Establishes office of state forestry criminal investigation to conduct timber theft investigations and permits prosecutors or the chief of forestry to request the attorney general to prosecute violations.

Sets graduated criminal penalties for illegal timber harvesting based on property value: first and second violations range from first-degree misdemeanor (under $1,000) to second-degree felony ($750,000-$1.5 million), with third+ violations increasing to felony charges; violations of $1.5 million or more are first-degree felonies.

Allows landowners to provide written notice to adjacent landowners prior to timber harvest and provides immunity from civil liability if boundaries are accurately identified; requires timber buyers to maintain 6-year records of all harvesting work and post conspicuous signs at harvest sites.