Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act

Emergency Management

senate

house

president

Introduced on May 2, 2024 by Susan Margaret Collins

Legislation Details

Establishes a payment program for timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses affected by major disasters.
Defines eligible entities as businesses involved in harvesting or hauling unrefined timber products in the previous calendar year.
Major disasters include those recognized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and insect infestations declared as major disasters.
Gross revenue is defined as the revenue generated from timber harvesting or hauling within the normal operation range, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Payments are to be made to businesses that experienced a loss of at least 10% in gross revenue during a 30-day period or quarter compared to the same period in the previous year.
The payment amount is set at 10% of the gross revenue of the eligible entity during the applicable period.
Payments can only be used for operating expenses.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report annually to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the House Committee on Agriculture on the payments made, including recipient identities and payment amounts.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue necessary regulations within 30 days of the Act’s enactment, bypassing standard notice, comment, and Paperwork Reduction Act requirements.
Authorizes $50,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2024 through 2028 to fund the program.

Last updated 11/20/2024

Establishes a payment program for timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses affected by major disasters.
Defines eligible entities as businesses involved in harvesting or hauling unrefined timber products in the previous calendar year.
Major disasters include those recognized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and insect infestations declared as major disasters.
Gross revenue is defined as the revenue generated from timber harvesting or hauling within the normal operation range, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Payments are to be made to businesses that experienced a loss of at least 10% in gross revenue during a 30-day period or quarter compared to the same period in the previous year.
The payment amount is set at 10% of the gross revenue of the eligible entity during the applicable period.
Payments can only be used for operating expenses.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report annually to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the House Committee on Agriculture on the payments made, including recipient identities and payment amounts.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue necessary regulations within 30 days of the Act’s enactment, bypassing standard notice, comment, and Paperwork Reduction Act requirements.
Authorizes $50,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2024 through 2028 to fund the program.