Policy

Independent contractors are essential to the wood supply chain. Independent contractors provide a diverse logging and trucking workforce who make their own business decisions, operating under contracts or agreements to provide fiber to mills. FRA supports efforts that defend independent contractor status and policies that improve access to credit for these businesses.

Improved technologies in the development of cross-laminated timbers have the potential to provide expanded markets for the solid wood product sector. FRA provides support and monitors policies and regulations that provide a pathway for market growth in this area.

In the 117th Congress, legislation is being introduced to reverse climate change. These policies may impact the forest products industry. FRA is monitoring climate change legislation and outlining potential impacts to the wood supply chain.

The ESA provides protections for those species that are threatened or endangered. The listing of a species has the potential to significantly impact forest operations. FRA monitors and provides comments on proposed species listings and works with allies to ensure that the most recent research is used in the determination of a species ESA status.

U.S. trade policy has the potential to benefit and harm the forest products sector. FRA works with our allies and monitors and reports on trade policies that may impact the forest products industry. FRA provides review and comments on trade policy to assist Congressional leaders in making informed decisions on how policies may benefit or harm FRA members.

The U.S. Forest Service is an important fiber supply source for the forest products industry in most regions of the United States. FRA works with allied associations to ensure that the Forest Service receives adequate funding to maintain, manage, and grow timber on federal lands. FRA supports and opposes legislation that may impact our members.

Many sectors of the forest products industry have experienced significant economic harm due to the COVID-19 pandemic. FRA will continue to work with allied associations to include opportunities for these sectors to access low-interest loans, grants, and other stimulus dollars that may become available to assist the forest products industry to a healthy economic recovery. These actions include incentives to stimulate home building and maintain the viability of the logging and transportation infrastructure. FRA will additionally work in support of legislation that limits a business’s exposure lawsuits that result from the COVID-19 pandemic.