Senator advances bill to permit timber sales when 60% of heirs consent

Senator Matt Stone (Senate District 2) introduced Senate Bill 246 to address what he described as a loophole that allows small-interest heirs to block timber sales. Stone told the committee that under current practice a property owner or purchaser who secures 60% of heirs’ signatures can proceed, but locating a single known heir who then objects can stop a sale. "If you can procure 60% of those heirs, you can go ahead and cut the timber," Stone said, adding that locatable heirs would still be paid and the shares for unlocatable heirs would be deposited in the county where the property sits.

Proponents told the committee the change would help landowners receive income from timberland sales and restore severance-tax and capital-gains tax revenue that they said is currently lost when sales are blocked. Senator Bledding asked whether unclaimed funds remain available; Stone replied the funds sit for five years and then revert to the county if unclaimed.

The committee had no substantive questions and the chair called for a motion. The committee voted 'Aye' and reported the bill as passed out of committee.

The committee record does not include a roll-call tally or identified mover for the motion; the transcript records the committee voice vote as 'Aye.' The bill will proceed according to Senate rules for further consideration.