Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act
Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act would create a federal payment program to help timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses recover from major disasters that damage markets and revenues. Eligible entities must have harvested or hauled unrefined timber in the previous year. If a major disaster causes a loss of at least 10 percent in gross revenue in a 30-day period or calendar quarter compared to the same period in the prior year, the Secretary of Agriculture would provide a payment equal to 10 percent of the entity’s gross revenue for that period. Payments are restricted to operating expenses and the program is funded at $50 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2029, administered by the Farm Service Agency. The act also requires reporting to Congress and directs regulations to be issued promptly, with certain administrative flexibilities.
Key Points
- 1Eligible entities: timber harvesting or timber hauling businesses that harvested or hauled unrefined timber in the previous calendar year.
- 2Trigger for payments: a major disaster (as defined by the Stafford Act, including insect infestations declared major) causing a minimum 10% drop in gross revenue in a 30-day period or quarter vs. the same period in the prior year.
- 3Payment amount: equal to 10% of the entity’s gross revenue for the applicable period.
- 4Use of funds: payments may be used only for operating expenses.
- 5Administration and funding: administered by the Secretary of Agriculture through the Farm Service Agency; authorized appropriations of $50 million annually for 2026–2029, with annual reporting to Congress on recipients and amounts.