An Act to Facilitate Stakeholder Input Regarding Forest Policy in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0993
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: O'NEIL, JACKSON, CARLOW, CRAFTS, OSHER, BENNETT, HICKMAN
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-I, 12 MRSA §8007

Legislative Document
No. 993
H.P. 628
House of Representatives, March 7, 2023
An Act to Facilitate Stakeholder Input Regarding Forest Policy in 
Maine
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative O'NEIL of Saco.
Cosponsored by President JACKSON of Aroostook and
Representatives: CARLOW of Buxton, CRAFTS of Newcastle, OSHER of Orono, Senators: 
BENNETT of Oxford, HICKMAN of Kennebec.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§24-H is enacted to read:
24-H.   
Environment: 
Natural 
Resources 
Maine Forest Advisory Board
Not Authorized
MRSA 
§8007
Sec. 2.  12 MRSA §8007 is enacted to read:
§8007.  Maine Forest Advisory Board established
The Maine Forest Advisory Board, as established in Title 5, section 12004-I, 
subsection 24-H and referred to in this section as "the board," advises the bureau and 
provides input in the development, updating and implementation of the state forest action 
plan required under the federal Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 
110-234 and Public Law 110-246.
1.  Membership.  The board consists of 21 members appointed as follows:
A.  Four members who serve in an advisory, nonvoting capacity, appointed by the 
Governor as follows:
(1)  A representative of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife;
(2)  A representative of the Department of Marine Resources;
(3)  A representative of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, 
Bureau of Parks and Lands; and
(4)  A representative of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, 
Natural Areas Program;
B.  Nine members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:
(1)  A representative of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension;
(2)  A representative of a statewide organization representing the forest products 
industry;
(3)  A representative of an organization of professional logging contractors;
(4)  A representative of a commercial landowner that owns a large amount of 
forested land in the State; 
(5)  A representative of a nonprofit corporation that owns a large amount of 
forested land in the State; 
(6)  A representative of a cooperative representing loggers in the State; 
(7)  A representative of a fisheries conservation organization with a statewide 
presence;
(8)  A representative of a statewide organization representing small woodland 
owners in the State; and
(9)  A representative of a statewide organization representing outdoor 
recreationists, including, without limitation, hunters and fishing enthusiasts, in the 
State; and
C.  Eight members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows:
(1)  A representative who is a member of the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture, conservation and forestry matters, 
who serves in an advisory, nonvoting capacity; 
(2)  A representative of a land trust with a statewide presence;
(3)  A representative of a statewide organization dedicated to wildlife issues;
(4)  A wildlife biologist with expertise in forest habitat;
(5)  An academic with expertise in forest ecology; 
(6)  A representative of a soil and water conservation district;
(7)  A representative of a statewide labor organization; and
(8)  A representative who is a member of a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe 
or band in this State.  The appointment of the member of a federally recognized 
Indian nation, tribe or band in this State must be based on the joint recommendation 
of the tribal governments of the Mi'kmaq Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet 
Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at 
Sipayik and the Penobscot Nation.  If the tribal governments do not make a 
recommendation or a unanimous joint recommendation, the Speaker of the House 
shall appoint a member of a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or band in 
this State and rotate the appointment among members of each federally recognized 
Indian nation, tribe or band in this State.
2.  Terms; quorum; meetings.  Except for the member appointed under subsection 1, 
paragraph C, subparagraph (1), members serve for a term of 3 years. At the end of a term 
an outgoing member serves until a successor has been appointed. A member may serve 
multiple terms.  The board shall meet at least 4 times a year to conduct business and to elect 
officers. A quorum consists of at least 11 members. The affirmative vote of a majority of 
the members present is necessary to decide any business brought before the board.  
3.  Duties of board.  The board shall:  
A.  Advise the bureau on conditions and trends in the forests of the State;
B.  Facilitate dialogue among diverse interests involving forestry matters;
C.  Promote cooperation among state agencies involving forestry matters;
D.  Advise the bureau on forestry policy development and implementation; 
E.  Ensure public participation in the development of forestry policy; 
F.  Provide input in the development, updating and implementation of the state forest 
action plan required under the federal Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, 
Public Law 110-234 and Public Law 110-246; and
G.  Submit annual reports to the Legislature on its work under this section.
Sec. 3.  Maine Forest Advisory Board report.  No later than December 6, 2023, 
the Maine Forest Advisory Board, as established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, 
section 12004-I, subsection 24-H, shall submit a report outlining conditions and trends in 
the State's forests to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
SUMMARY
This bill creates the Maine Forest Advisory Board to advise the Department of 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Forestry on a variety of forestry issues 
and to provide input on the state forest action plan required under the federal Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.  The board is directed to submit annual reports to 
the Legislature, including a report outlining conditions and trends in the State's forests to 
be submitted by December 6, 2023 to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.