00                             HOUSE BILL NO. 112                                                                          
01 "An Act providing for establishment and maintenance by the Department of Commerce,                                      
02 Community, and Economic Development of a registry of professional foresters; and                                        
03 relating to the membership of the Board of Forestry."                                                                   
04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
05    * Section 1. AS 08.02 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                  
06            Sec. 08.02.013. Professional foresters. (a) The commissioner of commerce,                                  
07       community, and economic development shall establish and maintain a registry of                                    
08       professional foresters for any person who meets the requirements of (b) of this section                           
09       and who requests to be listed in the registry.                                                                    
10            (b)  A person may request to be listed in the registry of professional foresters if                          
11       the person                                                                                                        
12                 (1)  is a certified forester on record with the Society of American                                     
13       Foresters; or                                                                                                     
14                 (2)  holds a bachelor of science degree from an accredited forestry                                     
01       school and has been employed as a forester for at least three years.                                              
02            (c)  The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development                                         
03       shall develop an application form to be used by a person requesting to be listed on the                           
04       registry of professional foresters.                                                                               
05    * Sec. 2. AS 41.17.041(b) is amended to read:                                                                      
06            (b)  The board is composed of nine members appointed by the governor as                                  
07       follows:                                                                                                      
08                 (1)  a representative of a commercial fishermen's organization;                                         
09                 (2)  a representative of a Native corporation established under 43                                      
10       U.S.C. 1601 et seq. (Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act);                                                        
11                 (3)  a representative of an environmental organization;                                                 
12                 (4)  a representative of a forest industry trade association;                                           
13                 (5)  a professional fish or wildlife biologist who is not employed in that                              
14       capacity by a state, municipal, or federal government agency, except for university                               
15       employment;                                                                                                       
16                 (6)  a professional forester associated with a national organization of                             
17       foresters who is not employed in that capacity by a state, municipal, or federal                              
18       government agency, except for university employment;                                                              
19                 (7)  a representative of a mining organization;                                                         
20                 (8)  a representative of a recreational organization; and                                               
21                 (9)  the state forester, who serves ex officio and without a vote.                                      
22    * Sec. 3. AS 44.33.020(a) is amended by adding a new paragraph to read:                                            
23                 (45)  maintain the registry of professional foresters created under                                     
24       AS 08.02.013.