SB 118
Establishing Forest Carbon Registry
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill establishes a Forest Carbon Registry within the West Virginia Division of Forestry to track carbon offset agreements and projects affecting West Virginia forestlands. The registry will record details such as property descriptions, GIS shapefiles, and the parties involved in these agreements. Landowners, developers, and purchasers are required to record their activities, and penalties will be imposed for noncompliance. The goal is to increase transparency and accountability in managing forest carbon resources.
Key provisions
- Establishes a Forest Carbon Registry administered by the Division of Forestry.
- Requires recording of carbon offset agreements and projects in the registry and county courthouses.
- Mandates the inclusion of GIS shapefiles for encumbered properties.
- Assigns responsibility for recording to developers and landowners.
- Sets a 60-day deadline for recording agreements and projects.
- Imposes civil penalties for noncompliance, escalating with repeated offenses.
- Specifies that monetary penalties collected will support the registry's administration.
- Allows the Division to promulgate legislative rules for registry implementation.
Who is affected
- West Virginia landowners
- Forest carbon project developers
- Carbon offset purchasers
- The West Virginia Division of Forestry
- Individuals and entities involved in carbon trading
Notable changes
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