House Moves on Timber License Exemptions in West Virgina.

Byline: Fanny Seiler

Feb. 22--The House Judiciary Committee reworked a Senate bill Thursday that provided for a timber license exemption and added four misdemeanor violations, punishable by fines of $250 to $500, before sending it to the floor.

As it passed the Senate, the bill (SB431) exempted persons from obtaining a license if the aggregate gross income from the sale of harvested trees didn't exceed $15,528 in a calendar year.

The bill required persons exempted from having a license to notify the director of the state Forestry Division of the timbering location.

A rewritten version of the Senate bill was presented to the Judiciary Committee. Vice chairman Dale Manuel, D-Jefferson, tried to amend it by requiring the notification filed with the director at least three days prior to the start of the timbering operation, and to notify the director of any change in the beginning date at least 24 hours prior to the actual start.

Chairman Jon Amores, …