Bill > SB730

This bill establishes a Forest Carbon Registry in West Virginia to track and manage carbon offset agreements and projects on forestlands. The registry, to be administered by the Division of Forestry, will require developers and landowners to record detailed information about carbon offset agreements, including property descriptions, geographic information system (GIS) shapefiles, contact information for involved parties, and the duration of forest management obligations. Developers or landowners must submit this information within 60 days of executing an agreement or initiating a project, and by July 1, 2027, must file a memorandum with the county courthouse. The bill imposes escalating civil penalties for non-compliance, starting with a $2,500 fine for the first offense, increasing to $5,000 for the second offense, and potentially resulting in permanent suspension of the business license for subsequent offenses. The purpose of this registry is to ensure transparency and accountability in forest carbon resource management, providing a comprehensive tracking system for carbon offset activities that impact West Virginia's forestlands. Penalties collected will be used to support the registry's administration, and the Division of Forestry is empowered to pursue enforcement through appropriate legal channels.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=730&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill