The Hardwood Federation produces a “D.C. Cheat Sheet” e-newsletter to maintain the business up-to-date on the newest information from Washington D.C. Try the September seventh version under and enroll to obtain your copy.
Senate Ag Committee Leaders Help Exports
Regardless of delays in finalizing a brand new farm invoice, Senate Ag Committee Chair Stabenow (D-MI) and Rating Member Boozman (R-AK) despatched a letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack urging the Biden Administration to make use of further instruments in its toolbox, particularly assets from the Commodity Credit score Company, to “construct new markets … for American grown merchandise,” together with hardwoods. The bipartisan senators state that they’re responding from organizations urging USDA to “strengthen commerce alternatives, improve income streams, and assist producers develop … in a world economic system.” The senators’ bipartisan letter bodes nicely for extra assets for the Overseas Market Improvement and Market Entry packages, a high precedence for the hardwood business.
Biden Administration Points New WOTUS Rule, Once more
On August 29, the EPA issued a brand new rule to make clear the scope of federal Clear Water Act jurisdiction via its definition of “Waters of america” (WOTUS) and adjust to the Supreme Court docket’s determination in Sackett v. EPA. The excessive court docket’s motion successfully overturned key parts of the extra expansive rule issued in January 2023, remanding the difficulty to federal companies for a redo. The brand new rule, nevertheless, though dropping the “important nexus” check utilized by federal regulators to broaden the scope of water permits, bypassed the general public remark course of on the grounds that the train was confined to authorized revisions mandated by the Supreme Court docket. Barring substantive modification of the CWA by Congress, an unlikely occasion within the present local weather, the companies’ determination to fast-track the newest WOTUS opens the door for extra litigation.
Hardwoods, Trade Allies Oppose Company Transparency Act Mandates
The Hardwood Federation is becoming a member of dozens of different business teams urging lawmakers to delay implementation of the Company Transparency Act of 2021, which is able to impose main reporting necessities on small and medium sized companies starting in 2024. In an effort to fight monetary crimes, the CTA will, as a normal matter, require most current and new company entities within the U.S. to file disclosures with the Division of the Treasury concerning their useful homeowners. The Hardwood Federation and its allies oppose the regulation’s implementation on the grounds of federal overreach and overly burdensome paperwork necessities.
Supply: Hardwood Federation