The Future Logging Careers Act has been referred to committees in both chambers of Congress. As you are may be aware, "in committee" is where most introduced bills ultimately die. Now, the challenge for supporters is to have the bills passed out of committee and moved to the respective floors for a vote.

 

ALC is requesting that supporters of the bill consider contacting their U.S. senators and U.S. representative to ask that they co-sponsor and support these bills' passage.

Like farming and ranching, the timber harvesting profession is often a family run business where the practice and techniques of harvesting and transporting forest products to receiving mills is passed down from generation to generation. Timber harvesting operations are similar to family farms with sophisticated and expensive harvesting equipment that requires young men and women to learn how to run the business, including equipment operation and maintenance, prior to the age of 18.

The agriculture industry enjoys regulatory exemptions that permit family members between the ages of 16 and 17 to participate and learn the operations of the family business under the direct supervision of their parents. However, young men and women in families who own and operate timber harvesting companies are denied the opportunity to work and learn the family trade until the age of 18. This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow for 16 and 17-year-olds in mechanized logging operations to work in the business under parental supervision.

The Future Logging Careers Act and the Youth Careers in Logging Act would both ensure that the next generation of mechanical timber harvesters can gain on-the-ground safety training and experience under the close supervision of their parents.

The following organizations support the Future Logging Careers Act to ensure the long-term health of the logging industry by supporting the entrance of youth into this vital economic sector of our economy.

Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, Inc.

American Loggers Council

*Federal Forest Resource Coalition

Forest Resources Association

The Hardwood Federation

National Alliance of Forest Owners

National Woodland Owners Association

Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association

*Northeastern Loggers Association

Southeastern Wood Producers Association

Alabama Loggers Council

Associated California Loggers

Associated Logging Contractors - Idaho

Associated Oregon Loggers, Inc.

Arkansas Timber Producers Association

Florida Forestry Association

Green River Loggers Council (Kentucky)

Independent Logging Contractors of Alabama 

Kentucky Forest Industries Association

Louisiana Loggers Association

Louisiana Logging Council

Michigan Association of Timbermen

Missouri Forest Products Association

Missouri Loggers Council

Mississippi Loggers Association

Montana Logging Association

New Mexico Forest Industry Association

North Carolina Association of Professional Loggers

Northern Arizona Loggers Association

New Hampshire Timber Harvesting Council

New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association

Professional Logging Contractors of Maine

South Carolina Timber Producers Association

Tennessee Forestry Association

Texas Forestry Association

Texas Logging Council

Virginia Loggers Council

Washington Contract Loggers Association

West Virginia Forestry Association

American Loggers Insurance

Caterpillar Forest Products

Forest Insurance Center Agency, Inc.

Loggers Insurance Agency II, LLC

Mauck Insurance Agency, Inc.

*expected to sign on by the end of the week (5/16/2014)