Committee backs state timber-grading certificate program to expand markets for New Mexico sawmills

The House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee gave unanimous do-pass approval to House Bill 553, which would authorize the state Forestry Division to run a structural timber-grading certificate program and allow certain locally produced structural timber to be used in residential and commercial construction.

Sponsor Representative Vincent said HB553 is intended to expand markets for New Mexico sawmills, support local economies (including tribal-owned mills), and help procure local timber for rebuilding after wildfires. "House Bill 553 provides New Mexico with the opportunity to solve three problems at once," Vincent told the committee: improving timber markets and forest-thinning economics, offsetting price pressure from imported lumber, and generating a local supply for post-fire rebuilding.

Under the bill the Forestry Division would develop a certificate program based on the American Lumber Standard Committee model. The program would train sawmill owners and employees to grade and label structural timber. The bill allows the division to charge a fee not to exceed $250 for a five-year certificate. Labels would include the grader’s name, sawmill location, tree species, quantity and type of structural timber, the intended use location, cut/processed dates, grading date and moisture content at grading.

Supporters included local officials and tribal representatives. Carrie Robin Brunder, representing Lincoln County’s Sierra Blanca effort, described the initiative as part of wildfire recovery and local economic revitalization. Kim Legant for the Mescalero Apache Tribe said the tribe operates two sawmills it plans to reopen and called the bill a step "toward strengthening New Mexico's forestry economy." Rachel Wood, a consulting forester who has worked with New Mexico mills, said roughly a dozen mills back the concept and recommended the label specify whether the timber was green or kiln-dried.

Opponents that signed on included national grading and industry groups. David Kretchman of the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALC) argued in testimony that New Mexico already uses building-code provisions that rely on the ALC/PS 20 system and that grading is a skill that requires ongoing training and third-party verification. Philip Line of the American Wood Council said the bill as written lacks sufficient quality-control and inspection features and that the ALC system includes monthly inspections, trained graders and random third-party checks not reflected in the draft legislation.

Committee action: Representative Garcia moved the do-pass; a second was recorded. With no opposition during the motion the committee granted HB553 a favorable recommendation.

Ending: The bill passed the committee unanimously; supporters said the program should be developed with technical input and include clear moisture/drying standards and quality-control safeguards before final implementation.