Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §8866, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 422, Pt. A, §1, is amended by adding a new first paragraph to read:

The Legislature finds and declares that the forestry industry as a whole is of significant economic and social importance to the State of Maine, contributing substantially to the State's overall economy, essential to the maintenance and strengthening of rural life and values and necessary to the preservation of the health, safety and welfare of all of the people of this State.

SUMMARY

This bill enacts language recognizing that the forestry industry is of significant economic and social importance to the State.