NLBMDA Applauds Signing of Farm Bill That
Includes LBM Industry Priorities
[Washington DC] – The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) applauds the signing today of the Agriculture Improvement Act (H.R. 2), better known as the Farm Bill, which includes several priorities for the lumber and building material (LBM) industry. The action taken today by President Donald Trump follows final passage last week in the Senate and House of Representatives.
NLBMDA supported provisions reforming federal forest management practices, promoting construction of mass timber construction, and ensuring fairness in federal purchasing of forest building products.
Re
cord wildfires in recent years have highlighted the need for reforms to the federal forest management system. The legislation extends Good Neighbor Authority by allowing the U.S. Forest Service to enter into agreements with county governments. Under prior law, only state governments could enter into agreements to perform forest management services on National Forest System lands.
The Farm Bill also promotes taller wood buildings by accelerating the research and development of mass timber building components for use in construction projects as well as provide grants for such projects.
And it recognizes more methods of sustainably harvested forest products in building and construction by requiring the Department of Energy (DOE) to also accept for federal purchase lumber certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the American Tree Farm System (ATFS). Currently, DOE only accepts lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
“NLBMDA is delighted to see Congress and President Trump worked together in a bipartisan fashion to pass this critical legislation that will help the entire country,” said NLBMDA President and CEO Jonathan Paine. “The Farm Bill includes key provisions that NLBMDA and its members strongly advocated for that will help the lumber and building material industry and residential construction. On behalf of NLBMDA I want to thank those that supported the legislation and our members for contacting their lawmakers.”
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The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) represents its members in the national public policy arena, with emphasis on efforts to 1) promote the industry and educate legislators and public policy personnel; and 2) assist legislative, regulatory, standard-setting and other government or private bodies in the development of laws, regulations and policies affecting lumber and building material dealers, its customers and suppliers. Founded in 1917, the association has over 6,000 members operating single or multiple lumber yards and component plants serving homebuilders, subcontractors, general contractors, and consumers in the new construction, repair and remodeling of residential and light commercial
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