FRA provides an effective member voice in Washington, D.C., defending against threatening legislation and regulation while advancing public policies that support industry sustainability.

FRA’s Strategic Plan identifies several key public policy priorities for its advocacy on behalf of the forest products industry we serve. Our multi-faceted efforts in 2024 targeted those legislative and regulatory priorities.  

Jobs in the Woods Act

FRA successfully included provisions of the Jobs in the Woods Act in the House Farm Bill text. This establishes our position to further incorporate this workforce initiative in the Farm Bill as discussions renew in the 119th Congress.

H-2B Guestworker Visas

FRA successfully included language in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations law, enabling the Department of Homeland Security to release the maximum number of supplemental visas allowed by law. This provision ensures that 20,000 supplemental visas are made available in the first half of the fiscal year when employers of non-immigrant forestry workers need them most. Additionally, FRA prepared and submitted comments on regulatory actions by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor, highlighting concerns that these actions would make the visa program more burdensome for employers of H-2B forestry workers.

Workforce man walking through field

Logging Workforce

FRA worked with allied associations to develop shared principles for strengthening logging and hauling capacity in the U.S. This document will provide guidance to address legislative and regulatory actions to reduce barriers of entry into logging and log hauling sectors in the 119th Congress.

Transportation

FRA continued to educate members about the importance of the provisions in the Safe Routes Act, which would allow trucks to avoid variables that increase the risk of accidents by granting them access to the interstate at legal state weights. Additionally, FRA collaborated with allied associations to pass several bills out of the House Transportation Committee, permitting trucks to haul heavier weights on interstate highways. We anticipate the reintroduction of similar bills in the 119th Congress.

Forest-Based Biomass

FRA worked with allied associations to include forest-based carbon biomass language in the 2024 spending bill. We were also successful in including a definition developed by associations representing the entire value chain of the forest industry, included in the original text of the House version of the Farm Bill.

European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

FRA collaborated with allied associations to communicate concerns about the European Union Deforestation Regulation to the Biden administration, the European Union, and forestry associations in other countries. This effort successfully delayed the implementation of the regulation by one year, providing the forest industry with additional time to develop workable solutions for U.S. forest product companies while still meeting the intent of the Regulation.

Endangered Species Act

FRA collaborated with members of Congress to support legislation aimed at modernizing the Endangered Species Act. FRA also provided comments on regulatory actions to list certain bat species as endangered. Additionally, FRA continued its efforts with the Forest Service to ensure that conservation measures implemented to protect bat species are reasonable and do not significantly impact timber management and operations.

Mature and Old-Growth Forests

FRA provided comments and participated in several committees addressing the designation of mature and old-growth forests on federal lands. The combined efforts of FRA and allied forestry associations at both the national and state levels successfully led to the Forest Service withdrawing its environmental impact statement to amend federal forest plans to designate mature and old-growth forests from timber management.

Forest Derived Biomass

FRA 2025 Legislative Fly-In

Mark your calendars for the FRA 2025 Fly-In, a biannual event where members will again converge on Capitol Hill to advocate for the forest products industry and the wood supply chain. Building on the success of our 2023 Fly-In, this event will provide an invaluable opportunity to meet with key congressional offices, engage directly with policymakers, and advance FRA’s priority policy issues. Together, we’ll emphasize the importance of workforce development, transportation solutions, and the carbon neutrality of forest-based biomass. Join us as we unite to educate legislators and amplify the voice of our industry!

Washington DC Capitol Building

In 2025, FRA will continue to build on the momentum of 2024, advancing key policy initiatives while keeping our members informed through regular updates.

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