H.R. 636 · 118th Congress
Forest Litigation Reform Act of 2023
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 118th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
R
RosendaleSponsorNo cosponsors.
This bill sets forth provisions regarding legal challenges to federal forest management activities on land suitable for timber production.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Jan 30, 2023
Forest Litigation Reform Act of 2023
This bill sets forth provisions regarding legal challenges to federal forest management activities on land suitable for timber production.
The bill revises the standard of review for a court considering a request for injunctive relief applicable to an agency's qualified forest management activity. Specifically, a court must balance the impact to the ecosystem of undertaking the agency action against not undertaking the agency action.
The bill also limits the length of preliminary injunctive relief and stays pending appeal in such cases to 60 days.
Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Department of the Interior, with respect to public lands, to each establish a discretionary arbitration pilot program as an alternative dispute resolution process for challenges to qualified forest management activities.
The bill prohibits amounts from being obligated or expended from the Claims and Judgment Fund and awards to pay any fees or other expenses to any plaintiff related to an action challenging a qualified forest management activity.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Forest Litigation Reform Act of 2023
Latest action (Feb 23, 2023): Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry.
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources · Origin: House · Introduced: Jan 30, 2023
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.