Over the past week, the Timber Innovation Act was reintroduced in both the House and the Senate by Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), respectively. The bills – H.R. 1380 in the House and S. 538 in the Senate – were not introduced as the "Timber Innovation Act" this year, but misleadingly titled bills to "clarify research and development for wood products, and for other purposes." However, the intent of the bills remains the same – placing wood in the tall building market for buildings 85 feet and above. NRMCA’s Government Affairs team will again work to oppose these bills.

Last year, NRMCA successfully led the Stop the Timber Innovation Act Coalition, stalling the momentum of the TIA and preventing it from being passed. This year, the TIA threat is two-fold: not only does the standalone bill need to be stopped, but it also needs to be kept from the Farm Bill reauthorization that will take place in 2018. NRMCA will work with our coalition partners and will keep you informed throughout the 115th Congress. NRMCA has already sent a letter to each Member of Congress and his or her chief of staff and legislative director welcoming them to the 115th Congress. The letter served as an introduction to our association, the ready mixed concrete industry and the services we can provide on advocacy, policy, education and technical matters. We also invited them to join you on a ready mixed concrete plant tour when they are on recess. In the letter, we also expressed our opposition to the Timber Innovation Act.