Establishing the Alabama Forest Products Retention and Pulp and Paper Mill Stability Study Commission

Alabama creates panel to study paper mills

The law creates a temporary commission to study ways to keep Alabama’s forest products industry competitive. It studies how to prevent mill closures and moves, improve infrastructure including energy, and attract emerging paper-based technology manufacturing. It also studies possible environmental, labor, and tax policy changes to support growth in pulp and paper industries. The eight-member panel includes three lawmakers, the State Forester, the Secretary of Commerce, and three industry representatives. The two state officials may send designees. The House Agriculture and Forestry Committee chair leads the panel. Other members are appointed by the House Speaker, Lieutenant Governor, Alabama Forestry Association, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, and Manufacture Alabama. Appointing authorities must coordinate so membership reflects Alabama’s racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity. The first meeting must occur by July 1, 2026, with more meetings as needed. A report with findings, conclusions, and recommendations is due to the Legislature by November 1, 2026, when the commission ends. Lawmakers receive compensation, daily allowances, and travel expenses for each meeting day they attend. Other members are unpaid but may receive reimbursement for necessary meeting expenses under their appointing authority’s policies. The commission must send the Secretary of State meeting notices, members’ names, its final report, and other documents it produces.