Forest Resources Association Looking Back at 2017, Current and Future Priorities National Public Policy Committee

Past Public Policy Successes H2B Relief Tax Reform Favorable Biomass Carbon Neutrality Language Federal Forest Management Reform Future Logging Careers Act(passed House)

TAX Reform Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Lower rates for C Corps and S Corps Double the estate tax limitation Expensing of new investments Sec. 179 limits increased Forestry incentives left intact

BIOMASS POLICIES RELATING TO BIOMASS ENERGY SEC. 428 To support the key role that forests in the United States can play in addressing the energy needs of the United States, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary  of Agriculture, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall. Establish clear and simple policies for the use of forest biomass as an energy solution, including policies that reflect the carbon-neutrality of forest bioenergy and recognize biomass as a renewable energy source. Encourage private investment throughout the forest biomass supply chain, including in— (i) working forests;  (ii) harvesting operations;  (iii) forest improvement operations;  (iv) forest bioenergy production;  (v) wood products manufacturing; or  (vi) paper manufacturing; (C) encourage forest management to improve forest health; and(D) recognize State initiatives to produce and use forest biomass.

Endangered Species Act Regulatory Endangered Species Act Reforming the ESA State of Litigation Tracking Future Concerns- Tri-Colored Bat Waters of the United States (WOTUS)

Present Legislative Priorities Truck Weight Reform- The Right to Haul Act Under Right to Haul, truckers operating at a state’s maximum weight limit on state roads would be able to carry that same weight over short distances on that state’s portion of the interstate. Independent Contractor Status Update- H.R. 3825--Harmonization of Coverage Act of 2017: Harmonizing the definition of “employee” would eliminate uncertainty in small business planning and access to credit. The Agriculture Guestworker Act (“AG Act”) Creating H2C Visa Program

Guestworkers- H-2A, H-2B, H-2C Current Status Advocacy Efforts H-2A Process Benefits Logging- H-2A Reforestation- H-2B All Forest Related Activities- H-2C

Future Legislative Outlook Infrastructure Truck Weight Reform Rural development Farm Bill Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017 H.R. 2936 sponsored by Bruce Westerman (R-AR-4), the only forester in congress. This bill includes the Future Logging Careers Act. Timber Innovation Act H.R. 1380 sponsored by Suzan DelBene (D-WA-1). Promotes tall wood buildings and the use of cross-laminated timber. Community Wood Energy Program—Potential solution for sawmill residuals challenges Research and development program for advancing tall wood building construction. Authorize the Tall Wood Building Prize Competition. Create federal grants to support education, outreach, research and development that will accelerate the use of wood in tall buildings.

Key Leadership Positions in the House Committee Chairs Agriculture Mike Conaway (R-TX) Last Term Appropriations Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) Retiring Budget Diane Black (R-TN chair) Retiring Energy and Commerce Greg Walden (R-OR) Financial Services Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) Retiring Judiciary Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) Retiring Natural Resources Rob Bishop (R-UT) Small Business Steve Chabot (R-OH) Transportation and Infrastructure Bill Shuster (R-PA) Retiring Ways and Means Kevin Brady (R-TX)

Reaching Members of Congress You continue to be our industry’s most effective representatives.

What can you do? Watch for Issue Updates and Grassroots Alerts asking you to contact your member of Congress on priority policy issues. It’s important your legislator knows the policies important to you. FRA’s tools are readily available, so that when you respond to our alerts it will connect you to your legislator. Every other year we host a Capitol Hill fly-in during the Fall Board Meeting.

Questions?

www.forestresources.org