WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives Committee on Rules could act in the next several weeks on H.R. 3210, which would amend the illegal logging amendments added to the Lacey Act in 2008.
The rules committee set Friday as the deadline to grant a rule that would limit the amendment process for floor consideration of the bill. The deadline can be an indication that a bill will be presented soon.
Critics of the 2008 amendments say the rules are too burdensome and difficult to enforce. Supporters of the amendments say the house bill essentially guts the 2008 amendments.
The 2008 amendments require that all wood imports to the U.S. be legally harvested, not taken from protected forests and have an import declaration of species.
They also require that wood not be taken in violation of forestry laws, or of laws governing export or transshipment.
H.R. 3210 exempts pulp, paper, composites and other non-solid wood products, and removes obligations for companies to comply with certain laws of the countries in which they operate.