All mills will need to update the “Notice Concerning Sale or Purchase of Trees or Timber” sign required for every primary forest products facility. TFA is in the process of printing metal signs compliant with the new law. The new signs will be available in two-three weeks. The cost is $75 each and they must be picked up from the TFA office. Email tfa@texasforestry.org to order your sign(s).

Sec. 151.004. NOTICE CONCERNING SALE OR PURCHASE OF TREES OR TIMBER. At each designated point of delivery for trees, timber, logs, pulpwood, or in-woods chips, a wood yard, transfer yard, mill site, or storage yard shall post the following written notice in lettering not less than one inch:

[The sign will read as follows:]

NOTICE CONCERNING SALE OR PURCHASE OF TREES OR TIMBER

1. A seller or purchaser of trees, timber, logs, pulpwood, or in-woods chips who knowingly fails to provide, obtain, or retain a bill of sale as provided in Chapter 151, Natural Resources Code, is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of not more than $500 for each offense.

2. A person, firm, partnership, or corporation adjudged guilty of theft or fraud in connection with the sale or purchase of trees or timber will be punished as provided by the Penal Code.

3. A timber purchaser who knowingly fails to provide documentation as required by Section 151.0035, Natural Resources Code, or a timber purchaser or person acting on behalf of a timber purchaser who knowingly provides false information in documentation required by that section will be punished as provided by Section 151.005, Natural Resources Code.

4. The Texas A&M Forest Service Timber Theft Hotline is 1-800-364-3470.

HB 1772 which will take effect on September 1, 2023, and examples for new bills of sale are listed on TFA’s website. Other documentation is required from the purchaser of timber from a landowner if contracted through pay-as-cut process.