Bill > HR8305

This bill, the Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act, establishes a payment program to provide financial assistance to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that have experienced a loss of at least 10% in gross revenue due to a major disaster, such as a natural disaster or insect infestation. The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Farm Service Agency, will make payments to eligible entities equal to 10% of their gross revenue during the affected period. The payments must be used only for operating expenses, and the Secretary is required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the payments made. The bill also allows the Secretary to issue regulations quickly to implement the program, without going through the usual notice and comment procedures.