An Act To Authorize Removal Of Requirements Of Forest Certification Systems From The State'S Forest Management Plans

This bill allows the Maine Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to remove forest certification requirements from public land management plans if those systems fail to support the long-term social and economic well-being of forest workers and local communities. The legislation defines forest certification as a voluntary monitoring process and specifically directs the commissioner to evaluate the Forest Stewardship Council against principles regarding employment, safety, worker rights, social impact, and grievance resolution. If the commissioner determines that the Forest Stewardship Council does not meet these standards, or if the Legislature instructs the commissioner to do so, the certification system must be removed from the state's management plans.