Alabama Forest Products Retention and Pulp and Paper Mill Stability Study Commission, established

Alabama creates study on keeping paper mills

The law creates a temporary commission to study Alabama’s forest products industry, with a focus on keeping pulp and paper mills. It studies mill expansion, energy and other infrastructure needs, and possible changes to environmental, labor, and tax policies. It also studies market changes and ways to attract new paper-based technology manufacturing. Members include the entire House Agriculture and Forestry Committee, whose chair leads the commission. The House Speaker and Lieutenant Governor each appoint one lawmaker from their respective chambers. The State Forester and Commerce Secretary also serve, or send representatives. The Alabama Forestry Association, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, and Manufacture Alabama each appoint one member. Appointments must reflect Alabama’s racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity. The chair must call the first meeting by July 1, 2026; later meetings occur as needed. A full report with findings, conclusions, and any suggested legislation is due to the Legislature by November 1, 2026. The commission dissolves after submitting that report. Legislative members receive legislative pay, a daily allowance, and travel expenses for each meeting day they attend; amounts are not specified. Other members serve without pay but may receive necessary meeting expenses under their appointing authority’s policies. The commission must give the Secretary of State meeting notices, members’ names, its final report, and all other documents it produces.