This is a press release from the Office of Congressman Rick Allen.
Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) recently introduced H.R. 7195, the Timber Harvesters, Haulers, and Landowners Market Disruptions Relief Act. This legislation establishes a targeted federal assistance program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), administered through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), to provide temporary financial relief to eligible forest product harvesting and hauling businesses impacted by significant market disruptions.
Specifically, the Timber Harvesters, Haulers, and Landowners Market Disruptions Relief Act:
- Allows a Governor or the Chief of the Forest Service to petition USDA to declare a market disruption, with the Secretary required to act within 14 days.
- Requires USDA to publish an application within 30 days of a declared market disruption, accept applications for 30 days, and approve, deny, or request more information from applicants within another 30 days.
- Directs USDA, through the FSA, to provide payments to eligible forest harvesting, hauling businesses, and qualifying landowners.
- Provides an initial payment of up to $20,000 per eligible applicant, followed by a potential second payment tied to revenue losses of up to 30%.
- Authorizes additional annual payments for up to five years if market conditions fail to improve, equal to 50% of prior assistance.
- Requires USDA to prorate payments if available funding is insufficient to meet all obligations.
- Limits use of funds to operational expenses (such as payroll, fuel, equipment repairs, and debt service) or investments to access new forest product markets.
- Sets clear income, revenue-share, and production thresholds to ensure assistance is directed to active, industry-dependent operators.
- Establishes an appeals process, prohibits fraudulent claims, authorizes fines for abuse, and requires annual reports to Congress detailing payments and activities.
- Funds the program using anti-dumping and countervailing duties collected on Canadian softwood lumber imports, avoiding new discretionary spending.
Upon introducing the bill, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:
“Many of Georgia’s rural communities are dependent on timber production and forest management for their economic well-being. Unfortunately, our timber harvesting and hauling businesses are facing significant turmoil due to recent mill closures, natural disasters, trade barriers, and declines in stumpage and delivered timber prices. My legislation—the Timber Harvesters, Haulers, and Landowners Market Disruptions Relief Act—seeks to provide landowners a lifeline during times of market uncertainty, restore our resilient forestry industry, and strengthen rural America. I am proud to lead this bill and will work diligently to bring it up for a House vote,” said Congressman Allen.
“NAFO applauds Rep. Allen for introducing the Timber Harvesters, Haulers, and Landowners Market Disruptions Relief Act to help keep America’s forest supply chain strong while experiencing turbulent market conditions. By authorizing USDA to provide targeted assistance when wood markets contract sharply, this bill would help mill owners, loggers, and working forest owners cover essential operating costs until markets recover or new innovations take hold. Wood markets are regional, national, and global, but the impacts are local—and long-term investments in working forest ownership depends on stability. This legislation would provide a critical backstop during periods of major transition in forest products markets,” said Dave Tenny, President and CEO, National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO).
“The Forest Landowners Association represents timber producers and family businesses that are essential to rural economies and our domestic supply chain,” said Scott Jones, CEO of the Forest Landowners Association. “Congressman Allen’s bill helps ensure these landowners can weather market disruptions and unfair trade practices while continuing to manage forests that are healthy, resilient, and productive.”
“The forestry sector depends on stable, functioning markets to support landowners, loggers, and haulers who manage and move forest products every day. Recent mill closures, trade disruptions, and sharp price declines have created real strain on these working businesses — particularly in rural communities where forestry is a cornerstone of the local economy. This legislation is critical to keeping forestry infrastructure intact during periods of severe market disruption, and we’re grateful to Representative Allen and his team for their advocacy for our sector. Maintaining a strong forest products supply chain is essential not only for rural jobs, but for long-term forest management, land stewardship, and the economic health of forestry communities,” said Tim Lowrimore, President and CEO, Georgia Forestry Association (GFA).
Bill text can be viewed HERE.
