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FOREST Act of 2023
1/4/2025, 11:17 AM
Summary of Bill HR 6515
One key aspect of the FOREST Act is the establishment of a grant program to support state and local efforts to manage and protect forests. This program would provide funding for activities such as reforestation, wildfire prevention, and invasive species control. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to streamline the permitting process for forest management activities and promote collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies.
The FOREST Act also emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy forests for wildlife habitat and biodiversity. It includes measures to protect endangered species and promote the restoration of ecosystems that have been damaged by human activities. In terms of wildfire prevention, the bill includes provisions to increase funding for forest management activities that reduce the risk of wildfires. This includes thinning forests, removing hazardous fuels, and implementing prescribed burns. The bill also aims to improve coordination between federal, state, and local agencies in responding to wildfires and managing fire-prone areas. Overall, the FOREST Act of 2023 seeks to promote sustainable forest management practices, protect wildlife habitats, and prevent wildfires. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between government agencies and stakeholders in managing and conserving forests for future generations.
Congressional Summary of HR 6515
Fostering Overseas Rule of law and Environmentally Sound Trade Act of 2023 or the FOREST Act of 2023
This bill restricts certain commodities produced on illegally deforested land from accessing the U.S. market.
Specifically, the bill prohibits the importation of any product made wholly or in part of a covered commodity produced on illegally deforested land. The bill outlines requirements for import declarations of covered commodities.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) must, within 30 days, publish (1) an initial list of covered commodities that consists of palm oil, soybeans, cocoa, cattle, and rubber; and (2) an initial list of covered products that are defined by the bill in accordance with the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. These lists must be updated at least on an annual basis.
Further, the USTR must identify foreign countries without adequate and effective protection against illegal deforestation for the production of commodities that are likely to enter the United States. The USTR must develop an action plan that includes benchmarks for each identified country.
Additionally, the bill creates an interagency working group to provide advice and recommendations to the USTR, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other relevant agencies.
The bill provides funding to assist foreign governments in combating illegal deforestation.
The bill also includes illegal deforestation as a specified unlawful activity under a federal financial crime statute.
The bill establishes a federal procurement preference for commodities that are not produced on land subject to deforestation.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill HR 6515
Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 6515
Total Number of Sponsors
3Democrat Sponsors
3Republican Sponsors
0Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
24Democrat Cosponsors
23Republican Cosponsors
1Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 6515
Primary Policy Focus
Foreign Trade and International FinanceAlternate Title(s) of Bill HR 6515
Comments
Arianna Browning
1 year ago
This bill gonna mess up our forests, can't believe they're doing this to us! #forestact #notgood
Leonidas Turner
1 year ago
This bill is gonna mess everything up for me and my family. Can't believe they're doing this to us. So sad.
