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PUBLIC LAWS OF MAINE
Second Regular Session of the 118th

CHAPTER 648

H.P. 1013 - L.D. 1405

An Act to Strengthen Laws Regarding Timber Theft and Timber Harvesting

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

     Sec. 1. 10 MRSA §2361-A, sub-§§5-A and 10-A are enacted to read:

     5-A. Hauler. "Hauler" means the person, company or other entity that owns the truck or trailer on which a load of wood is transported.

     10-A. Trip ticket. "Trip ticket" means the form used to identify the origin and destination of a truckload of wood.

     Sec. 2. 10 MRSA §2364-B is enacted to read:

§2364-B. Transportation of wood

     A person transporting wood must comply with the provisions of this section.

     1. Trip ticket required. Except as provided in subsections 3 and 4, each truckload of wood transported must be accompanied by a trip ticket containing the following information for that load of wood:

     2. Trip ticket part of record. Upon delivery of a truckload of wood requiring a trip ticket, the truck driver shall provide a copy of the trip ticket to the wood scaler or other person accepting delivery. When a tally sheet or other record of measurement is required under section 2364-A, subsection 2, the harvest notification number and other information contained on the trip ticket must be recorded on the record of measure or a copy of the trip ticket must be attached to the record of measure.

     3. Wood transported after measurement. When wood is transported after its first measurement in accordance with section 2364-A, the information specified in subsection 1, paragraphs B, D and F is not required on the trip ticket and the harvest notification number is not required on subsequent records of measurement.

     4. Consumer transactions of firewood excluded. The requirements of this section do not apply to the transportation of firewood in consumer transactions on the retail market as defined in rules adopted pursuant to section 2367.

     5. Enforcement; violations. Upon request, a truck driver must present the trip ticket to any employee of the State charged with enforcing the provisions of this subchapter. Upon request, a wood scaler shall present the record of measurement including a copy of the trip ticket or information contained on the trip ticket to any employee of the State charged with enforcing the provisions of this subchapter. A person who fails to comply with the provisions of this section or misrepresents information on a trip ticket is subject to the penalties provided in section 2368.

     Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §8882, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 555, §12 and affected by c. 600, Pt. B, §11, is amended to read:

§8882. Forms

     Forms required under this subchapter shall must be provided by the bureau and shall must be written in an easily understandable format. In addition to the information required under section 8883, the bureau may request information regarding business practices and workers' compensation coverage.

     Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §8883, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 555, §12 and affected by c. 600, Pt. B, §11, is amended to read:

     Prior to commencing harvesting operations, the landowner or designated agent shall notify the bureau of the harvest operation. When the harvest is occurring within a municipality, the bureau shall send a copy of the notification form to the municipal clerk.

     Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §8883, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 555, §12 and affected by c. 600, Pt. B, §11, is amended to read:

     1. Notification prior to harvest. Notification shall must be on forms supplied by the bureau and shall must include the following information:

When a landowner has a designated agent, the designated agent must submit with the notification form a notarized statement of agreement signed by the landowner and the designated agent or a durable power of attorney.

     Sec. 6. 12 MRSA §8883, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 555, §12 and affected by c. 600, Pt. B, §11, is amended to read:

     3. Notification form on file; posted. The landowner or designated agent shall retain a copy of the notification form and produce it upon request of agents as specified in section 8888. The landowner or designated agent shall post a copy of the notification form at the harvest site in a clearly visible location.

     Sec. 7. Report on workers' compensation; Workers' Compensation Board. The Workers' Compensation Board, in consultation with the Maine Forest Service, shall review workers' compensation laws pertaining to the wood harvesting industry. The board and the Maine Forest Service shall endeavor to determine the number of wood harvesting operations that occur when the loggers have neither workers' compensation insurance nor a predetermination of independent contractor status. By January 15, 1999, the board, in consultation with the Maine Forest Service, shall submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over forestry matters. Recommendations may include measures identified to ensure workers' compensation coverage or independent contractor status and to reduce the potential for landowner liability and may also include simplification of the process for predetermination of independent contractor status. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor matters may report out legislation to the 119th Legislature regarding workers' compensation coverage in the wood harvesting industry.

     Sec. 8. Report; impact of timber harvesting on nonpoint source pollution. By January 15, 1999, the Maine Forest Service, in consultation with the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection, shall develop a report with recommendations for a set of statewide standards to minimize the impact of timber harvesting on nonpoint source pollution. This report must be submitted to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over forestry matters by the Land and Water Resources Council after review by that council. In developing the recommendations, these agencies shall consider the existing standards of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission as a basis for statewide standards. The report must also include the following:

     1. An evaluation of the progress made by timber harvesting operations in implementing best management practices; and

     2. A recommendation regarding the use of compliance with best management practices as a determinant of enforcement proceedings. In developing this recommendation, the group may study Vermont's approach to prosecuting water quality violations.

     The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over forestry matters may report out legislation to the 119th Legislature regarding timber harvesting and nonpoint source pollution.

Effective June 30, 1998, unless otherwise indicated.

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