Sec. 1. 17 MRSA §2512 is enacted to read:

§2512.__Failure to pay for trees harvested

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Forest products" means logs, pulpwood, veneer, bolt wood, wood chips, stud wood, poles, pilings, biomass fuel wood, fuel wood or other products commonly known as forest products, but does not include Christmas trees, maple syrup, nursery products used for ornamental purposes, wreaths, bough material, cones or other seed crops.

B.__"Handling or processing facility" means sawmills, bolter mills, shingle mills, veneer mills, fence pole and piling making operations, pulp and paper mills, wafer board, particle board and plywood mills, whole tree chippers, commercial fuel wood processors, custom processing mills of these products and log yards established to accumulate logs for transshipment to these facilities.

C.__"Harvest operation" means the harvest of forest products on land in a single municipality or township. Land harvested need not be contiguous, and more than one harvester may work a harvest operation.

2.__Payment within 30 days required.__A person conducting a harvest operation shall pay the landowner for each truckload of harvested forest products within 30 days of delivery to the handling or processing facility.

A.__In accordance with Title 10, section 2364-A, subsection 2-G, a copy of the measurement tally sheet or stumpage sheet for each truckload of harvested forest products transported to a handling or processing facility must be provided to the landowner when the person conducting a harvest operation pays the landowner.__Full payment for each truckload of harvested forest products transported to a handling or processing facility must be made to the landowner within 30 days of delivery to the handling or processing facility.

B.__A person that violates this section commits a civil violation. The following minimum penalties apply:

(1)__For the first offense, a fine of not less than $300; and