Top Issues

Green Building Design 

Thank you to supporters of Senate Resolution 411 and House Resolution 81, the "hardwood Resolutions", recognizing the importance and sustainability of hardwoods in green building. 

Support Sen. Wyden's amendment to include hardwood products in the new "HomeStar" legislation which offers rebates for purchasing energy efficient home products. The House-passed bill includes wood products. 

Lacey Act

With the unprecedented collective support of the industry, environmental community, and organized labor, the Lacey Act Amendment to address illegal logging was passed in the 2008 Farm Bill.  This legislation addresses both the unfair advantage illegal operations have over companies that follow the rules; and, the overall environmental crisis caused by illegal logging.  The Administration has released initial guidelines for implementation that includes a timeline and product phase-in strategy for the new declaration requirements. 

More information about the Lacey Act is available from the documents linked below:

Lacey Act FAQs

Regulatory Control & Renewable Energy

The HF supports policies that encourage greater use of wood-based energy, particularly woody biomass.  These policies lead to increased value of secondary wood by-products and encourage continued investments in hardwoods.  HF opposes arbitrary restrictions on the types of wood which would qualify as energy sources.

Urge EPA to limit Boiler MACT ruling by supporting the "EPA Regulatory Relief Acts of 2011", H.R. 2250 and S. 1392, to allow more time for EPA to fix, and for companies to comply with the proposed Boiler MACT rules.

Support Farm Bill definition recognizing biomass as a commercial, renewable energy source.

Economic Recovery

HF Supports H.R. 3380, the Promoting Lending to America's Small Businesses Act, which would increase the cap for Credit Union business lending.

Supports H.R. 5297, the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010, increasing the availability of credit for small businesses.

HF Supports a full repeal of the Estate Tax.