This act establishes a temporary federal payment program to provide financial relief to timber harvesting and hauling businesses that experienced significant revenue loss due to a declared major disaster, such as a severe insect infestation.
Jared Golden
Representative
ME-2
The Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act establishes a federal payment program to provide financial relief to timber harvesting and hauling businesses that have experienced significant revenue loss due to federally declared major disasters, including specific insect infestations. Eligible entities must demonstrate at least a 10% drop in gross revenue during a comparable period to qualify for a payment equal to 10% of that lower revenue. Funds must be used exclusively for operating expenses, and the program is authorized with $50 million annually through fiscal year 2029.
New Timber Relief Act Sets Aside $50M Annually for Loggers Hit by Disaster Revenue Drop
The newly proposed Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act (LEARA) sets up a targeted financial safety net for businesses that harvest and haul timber. Starting in fiscal year 2026 and running through 2029, the bill allocates $50 million annually to help these companies recover when disaster strikes. Specifically, it targets situations where a “major disaster,” including a federally declared insect infestation, causes significant financial strain.
The 10% Rule: How Relief Kicks In
To qualify for this relief, a timber harvesting or hauling business must prove they suffered a 10% or greater drop in gross revenue during any 30-day period or quarterly period, compared to the same period the previous year. If they hit that 10% loss threshold, the payment they receive is equal to 10% of the gross revenue they earned during that specific, lower-earning period (SEC. 2). Essentially, if a disaster cut your revenue from $100,000 down to $85,000 (a 15% drop), the government steps in with a check for $8,500.
This cash injection is strictly earmarked: businesses must use the payment only to cover their operating expenses. They can’t use it to buy new equipment or expand, just to keep the lights on and the trucks running during tough times. The Farm Service Agency, under the Secretary of Agriculture, is tasked with defining “gross revenue” and administering the program.
Fast-Tracked Rules and Transparency
One interesting detail is the speed at which this program is intended to launch. The Secretary of Agriculture is directed to issue the necessary rules and regulations within 30 days of the law passing. To hit that tight deadline, the bill explicitly waives the standard public comment process required by federal law (Section 553 of Title 5, U.S. Code). While this allows for rapid deployment of aid—which is critical during a disaster—it also means the public and industry stakeholders won't have the usual opportunity to weigh in on the fine print before the rules become final. This trade-off prioritizes speed over public vetting.
To ensure accountability for the $50 million allocated each year, the bill requires significant transparency. Within 180 days of the law’s enactment, and every year after, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress detailing every single business that received a payment and the exact dollar amount of that aid (SEC. 2). For regular folks, this means we'll get a clear look at where this targeted relief money is going, making it easier to track the program's effectiveness and reach.