Crapo Backs Bicameral Legislation to Support Family-Run Timber Industry

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Angus King (I-Maine) and U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pennsylvania) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) to reintroduce theFuture Logging Careers Actto support America’s family-run timber industry.
“Family businesses are the way of life in many agricultural communities and logging is no exception,”said Crapo.“Giving our young people the ability to participate in family-led training bolsters the logging industry and brings much-needed natural resources into the marketplace.  The Future Logging Careers Act would offer today’s young adults a chance to be tomorrow’s industry leaders while also restoring health and resiliency to our forests.”
This legislation would allow teenage members of logging families to gain critical, hands-on experience in the trade so they may carry on the family business.  TheFuture Logging Careers Actwould amend theFair Labor Standards Actto allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work in certain mechanized logging operations under parental supervision.  Similar exemptions already exist for farming families.
Additional co-sponsors of the legislation include U.S. Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and John Cornyn (R-Texas).
###