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US S538

US S538
Timber Innovation Act of 2017


summary

Introduced
03/07/2017
In Committee
03/07/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018

Introduced Session

115th Congress

Bill Summary

Timber Innovation Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), acting through the Research and Development and the State and Private Forestry deputy areas of the Forest Service, to conduct performance-driven research and development, education, and technical assistance to facilitate the use of innovative wood products in wood building construction in the United States. Such activities shall give priority to: (1) improving the commercialization of such products, (2) analyzing the safety of tall wood building materials, (3) calculating and reducing the life cycle environmental footprint of tall wood building construction, and (4) analyzing the potential implications of the use of innovative wood products in building construction on wildlife. "Tall wood building" means a building designed to be over 85 feet high and constructed with large panelized wood construction, including cross-laminated timber, nail laminated timber, glue laminated timber, laminated strand lumber, and laminated veneer lumber. USDA shall carry out an annual competition for FY2017-FY2021 for a tall wood building design, or other innovative wood product demonstration, in accordance with the requirements for prize competitions carried out under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. The Forest Service, in carrying out a wood innovation grant program, may make grants to advance the use of innovative wood products, with priority to grant proposals that include the use or retrofitting of existing sawmill facilities in counties where the average annual unemployment rate exceeded the national average by more than 1% in the previous year.

AI Summary

This bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct research and development, education, and technical assistance to facilitate the use of innovative wood products, such as cross-laminated timber and laminated veneer lumber, in wood building construction in the United States. The priorities of this research include improving the commercialization of these products, analyzing their safety and environmental impact, and exploring their implications for wildlife. The bill also requires the USDA to hold an annual competition for the design or demonstration of tall wood buildings (over 85 feet high) and authorizes the USDA to provide grants to advance the use of innovative wood products, with priority given to proposals that include the use or retrofitting of existing sawmill facilities in high-unemployment areas.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (20)

Last Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (on 03/07/2017)

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