Bill · S. 2598· Senate(119-S-2598)
Forest Bioeconomy Act
- Introduced
- 7/31/2025
- Last activity
- 7/31/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Martin Heinrich
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Forest Bioeconomy Act aims to expand research into forest products and support Forest Service technologies. It establishes an Office of Technology Transfer within the Forest Service to increase the commercial impact of research and facilitate the commercialization of technologies. The bill also creates a Small Business Voucher Pilot Program to accelerate product development and commercialization in the forest products sector. Additionally, it establishes a Joint Mass Timber Science and Education Program to meet the research needs of architects, developers, and the industry. This program focuses on practical research for mass timber and helps develop educational curricula for engineering and architecture schools.
Yes· 3 of 10
Does this put more money into scientific research?+6
The bill provides significant authorized appropriations for Forest Service research and a mass timber science program.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The bill provides specialized research support and a voucher program specifically for small business concerns.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+5
The bill establishes a Small Business Voucher Pilot Program to accelerate product development and commercialization.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Economic Growth in Forest Markets: The bill expands research to create new and nontraditional markets for forest management materials that currently have little or no commercial value, which increases their economic viability (Section 2(a)).
-
Renewable Energy Production: Research will be expanded to use wood as a feedstock for producing renewable fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel (Section 2(a)).
-
Support for Small Businesses: A Small Business Voucher Pilot Program is established to help small businesses accelerate product development, demonstration, and commercialization within the forest products sector (Section 2(d)).
-
Industry-Specific Research: The mass timber science and education program provides practical research tailored to the needs of architects, real estate developers, and the forest products industry (Section 3(b)).
-
Educational Advancement: The program aims to develop a voluntary curriculum for schools of engineering and architecture regarding the use of mass timber in construction (Section 3(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Financial Burdens on Small Businesses: Under the Small Business Voucher Pilot Program, small businesses may be required to provide a portion of the costs for research and development activities. This includes up to 20 percent for basic research, at least 20 percent for applied research, and at least 50 percent for demonstration or commercial application activities (Section 2(d)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Students+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5Improves Economic Growth+4Increases Job Creation+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+5Improves Rural Development+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+2
- 7/31/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia