FORESTRY 411
STATE LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Florida's nine-week legislative session opened with pomp, circumstances and committee meetings this week.


SPEAKER OLIVA SENDS FIRM REMINDER TO CITIES TO BACK OFF TREE ORDINANCES
Florida Politics reports that House Speaker José Oliva is sending a not-so-subtle message to local governments not to over-step their authority.

According to the report, Oliva sent letters to 488 local governments within the states reminding them that they are no longer allowed to enforce local tree ordinances restricting property owners from trimming or removing trees on their property.

RURAL COUNTIES DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Pictured from left: Association Executive Vice President Alan Shelby, Michael Dooner, Avery Roberts, Association Director of Forestry and Regulatory Affairs Laura Bosworth, Representative Bobby Payne, and Kathy and Jimmy Bielling at the Rural Counties Day reception, hosted by Rep. Payne.
US-CHINA TRADE DEAL UPDATE
National Alliance of Forest Owners President and CEO David Tenney provided an update on the recently announced trade deal between the United States and China. Calling it a "positive step forward in resolving the trade conflict between our nations," he noted the diligent work that has been done over the past several months to ensure that the appropriate officials in the White House and the office of the U.S. Trade Representative are aware of the need to remove retaliatory tariffs on log exports to China as an early trade deal priority.

"What we  know  is that the deal announced this week included logs and wood products in China’s $200 billion purchase agreement. What we don’t know  is how those purchase agreements will be implemented and whether there will be a corresponding lifting of the tariffs imposed on these items," said Tenney.

Updates will continue as details of the agreement unfold.
Please RSVP to Krista Harvard --
850.222.5646 or Krista@ForestFla.org.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR FLORIDA AG HALL OF FAME
Tickets are now on sale for the 41st annual Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet on Feb. 11, which will honor three inductees who have made invaluable contributions to Florida agriculture: Fred Dietrich, John Jackson and Robbie Roberson.

The banquet is held in the Special Events Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Tickets are $75 per person, and tables of eight are available. Tickets are available online at  http://floridaaghalloffame2020.eventbrite.com  or by calling 813.230.1918.
SESAF ANNUAL MEETING
February 23-25, 2020
Panama City Beach, FL
Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort

"Recovering From The Storm"
Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 23, 2020
10 AM
Farm Room
Florida Forest Service
3125 Conner Blvd,
Tallahassee, FL 

March 4, 2020
11:30 AM
Membership Meeting
Hal Y Community Center
Lake Butler, FL

March 18, 2020
11:30 AM
Membership Meeting
Coastal Plywood Company's Magnolia Lodge
Quincy, FL


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