[§150A-6.8]  Firewood; heat-treatment; requirements; exemptions.  (a)  No firewood shall be imported into the State unless:

     (1)  The firewood has been certified by an appropriate federal or state agency as heat-treated and labeled in accordance with subsection (b); or

     (2)  The importation is authorized pursuant to subsection (c) and the department has issued a permit before importation.

     (b)  Each package of firewood imported into the State pursuant to subsection (a)(1) shall bear a clear and conspicuous label that contains the following information:

     (1)  State of origin of the firewood;

     (2)  A statement that the firewood has been certified as heat-treated;

     (3)  The name of the federal or state certifying agency and the certificate number;

     (4)  Identification of the commodity as firewood, unless the contents can be easily identified through the packaging, wrapper, or container; and

     (5)  Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor of the firewood.

     (c)  If firewood imported into the State is not eligible for importation under subsections (a)(1) and (b) and the department determines that the firewood will not pose an unacceptable risk of introducing or spreading an insect, disease, or other pest into the State, the department may issue a permit authorizing the importation.  No firewood shall be imported into the State pursuant to this subsection before the department issues a permit.

     (d)  Any person who imports firewood into the State shall maintain, and make available to the department upon request, records of imports for at least two years.

     (e)  Firewood harvested within the State shall not be subject to the requirements of this section.

     (f)  As used in this section:

     "Firewood" means any kindling, logs, timber, or other portions of a tree of any species four feet or less in length; cut or split, or intended to be cut or split, into a form and size appropriate for use as fuel for fires in an open or closed pit, grill, fireplace, stove, or wood burning furnace; or in any other form commonly used for burning in campfires, stoves, or fireplaces.

     "Heat-treated" means firewood that has been heated to at least one hundred sixty degrees Fahrenheit for seventy-five minutes at wood core. [L 2025, c 240, §2]