Bill > HR7195

This bill, titled the Timber Harvesters, Haulers, and Landowners Market Disruptions Relief Act, establishes a program to provide financial assistance to businesses and landowners involved in forest product harvesting and hauling that are experiencing significant market disruptions. The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Farm Services Agency, can declare a market disruption if a State Governor or the Chief of the Forest Service petitions them to do so, with a decision required within 14 days. Once a market disruption is declared, eligible entities, defined as forest product harvesting or hauling businesses (including landowners who profit from timber) that have suffered revenue loss, earned at least $35,000 in federal taxable income in the prior year from forest products, and derive at least 75% of their gross revenue from these activities, can apply for assistance. The assistance includes an initial payment of up to $20,000, followed by a potential second payment based on the difference in gross revenue compared to the previous year, and subsequent payments for up to five years if market conditions haven't improved, with these later payments being 50% of the initial combined payments. Funds received can only be used for operational expenses like payroll and fuel, or for expanding access to new markets. The bill also outlines procedures for appeals, penalties for false claims, and requires the Secretary to develop an application process without standard notice and comment periods. A report to Congress is mandated annually, and the funding for this program will come from anti-dumping and countervailing duties collected on softwood lumber imports from Canada. A "market disruption" is broadly defined to include the closure of processing facilities, foreign trade barriers impacting exports, significant decreases in timber prices, loss of market access, or any event threatening the viability of timber harvesting and hauling operations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7195/all-info