Bipartisan Tax Package Moves Through Congress
Additional Option for Passage of Disaster Reforestation Act
Tax Package Clears Initial Hurdle in the House
Last week, Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, announced an agreement on a framework for tax reform legislation.
Read more on this announcement here.
As you may know, FLA’s continued policy priority is H.R. 655/S. 217, the Disaster Reforestation Act. This bicameral and bipartisan bill would provide permanent assurances to landowners to continue their sustainable operations even in the face of rising natural disasters like wildfires, high winds, invasive species, and diseases.
Resources about the Disaster Reforestation Act are here.
On Friday, the House Ways and Means Committee marked up and passed H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. Chairman Smith contends that the bill “represents bipartisan policies that are proven and effective; common sense fixes to the tax code that will rebuild our communities, support better jobs and wages, and grow our economy.”
Read more on the House Ways and Means’ action here.
Unfortunately, the Disaster Reforestation Act (DRA) was not included in this step of the process for the tax reform legislation. FLA remains committed to working with policymakers for DRA to be included in any workable legislative vehicle and are grateful our support for this bill continues to grow among Members of Congress as well as associations across the country.
Next Steps for FLA
FLA’s Board of Directors, FLA staff, and FLF staff will be in Washington, DC on February 7th to meet with key Members of Congress and their Staff to remind them that the DRA’s passage is paramount this year.
For those that will not join us, you can also get involved. Consider joining FLA’s grassroots engagement teams (SET-TO-GO) to get updates on policy and opportunities to get involved.
Learn more about SET-TO-GO here.
Another important part of our advocacy strategy is FLA’s political action committee. FLA’s PAC enables us to work closely with legislators and to educate them on the unique challenges that private forest landowners face.
More information on FLA’s PAC can be found here.