Bill · S. 509· Senate(119-S-509)
Future Logging Careers Act
- Introduced
- 2/11/2025
- Last activity
- 2/11/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- James Risch
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Future Logging Careers Act" aims to change how child labor laws apply to certain young people. It proposes to exempt 16- and 17-year-olds from specific child labor protections when they are working in logging operations. This includes mechanized work like felling or processing timber with heavy equipment. However, the exemption does not apply to the manual use of chainsaws or cable skidders. The law would also allow these young workers to work in hazardous roles if they are employed by a parent or someone acting in place of a parent.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The bill benefits logging business owners by easing restrictions on hiring young workers for mechanized tasks.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+4
The bill provides operational flexibility for logging businesses employing family members or younger workers.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
The bill facilitates employment for 16- and 17-year-olds in the logging industry by removing certain labor restrictions.
The opposite
Would children be better off under this?-6
The bill reduces labor protections for 16- and 17-year-olds, exposing them to hazardous logging environments.
Would union members be better off under this?-3
The exemption of young workers from standard labor protections may impact established labor standards and protections.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Employment opportunities for 16- and 17-year-olds in logging operations: The bill provides an exemption from certain child labor laws for these individuals when working in specific logging tasks (Section 2).
-
Family-based employment flexibility: The proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work in occupations the Secretary of Labor finds particularly hazardous, provided they are employed by a parent or a person standing in the place of a parent in a logging operation owned or operated by them (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exposure to hazardous working conditions: The bill allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work in occupations that the Secretary of Labor has declared to be particularly hazardous, provided the employer is a parent or a person standing in the place of a parent (Section 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+4Increases Job Creation+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Young Adults+3Good For Children-6Good For Union Workers-3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+2
- 2/11/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Susan CollinsRepublican · Maine
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana