HARRISBURG — A bill to expand membership on the state’s Hardwoods Development Council has been unanimously approved by the state House, said Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, prime sponsor of the measure.

“The Hardwoods Development Council has played a vital role in advancing the forestry industry in our Commonwealth for more than three decades,” Causer said. “Expanding representation on the council to additional industry representatives will enhance the council’s ability to develop and advocate for this important segment of our agriculture industry.”

House Bill 2149 would add a logger and a private-sector forester to the council. It also would add the secretary of the state Department of Education and replace one representative of the now-defunct Hardwood Lumber Manufacturing Association with a member of the PA Forest Products Association.

Finally, it would specifically designate one seat for the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group (AHUG), the oldest HUG in the state.

The Hardwoods Development Council was created by law in 1988. It works with state and local governments and other entities to promote access to timber resources on private and public land. It helps promote and expand the development, processing and manufacturing of value-added forest products, as well as supports and assists the forest products industry in developing domestic and foreign markets for value-added products. It also promotes public knowledge of the industry through the WoodMobile and other initiatives.

The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.