Cheat Sheet

October 8, 2026

Broad-based Forest Products Markets Legislation Teed Up for Introduction: Next week. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), House Natural Resources Committee Chairman, intends to introduce the American Forest Products Resilience Act. The legislation has been under development for some time and staff shared a discussion draft with the Federation earlier this week. The wide-ranging proposal covers a number of areas including addressing the flawed biomass definition in the Renewable Fuel Standard, biomass energy tax credits, promoting mass timber, trade with China and domestic sourcing rules, among other areas.

Westerman’s office reached out to the Federation for a statement of support. We met with the Chairman’s staff last month to discuss this proposal, and we are now evaluating its many provisions. When the bill is introduced, we will provide a comprehensive summary and identify areas in which it may help our sector.

Kentucky Hardwood Mill Pain Highlighted In Spectrum Media:  A two-part series (Part I and Part 2) on the severe struggles facing the domestic hardwood industry appeared in Spectrum News outlets in Kentucky this week. Reporter Erin has been covering the story for several months, as a result of our work with Monument Advocacy to create local coverage of the issue in key states.  To date, we have over 40 media hits at the national, state, and local levels.

Diesel Fuel Relief Executive Order Signed:On October 5, the President signed an Executive Order (EO) aimed at alleviating near-record diesel prices (average price $6.32/gallon per AAA) across the country. What it does:

• Temporarily allows red-dyed diesel — normally tax-free and restricted to off-road use (farm equipment, construction) — for highway use through December 31, 2026.
• Directs the IRS to announce within five days whether it will keep imposing penalties for highway use of dyed diesel between October 5 and December 31.
• Defers the 24.4¢/gallon federal diesel excise tax without penalties or interest, if the Treasury determines it has authority under Section 7508A of the tax code. The tax isn't forgiven — just deferred — but the order also instructs officials to explore ways to eliminate the deferred obligation, including legislation.
• Directs the administration to encourage states to adopt similar policies and to ensure farmers (and loggers and haulers) have access to dyed diesel in high-demand areas.

Combined with state-level fuel tax adjustments and emergency waivers already in place in parts of the country, these provisions could create meaningful, near-term savings for logging contractors, haulers and other diesel dependent shippers like sawmills sending finished product to customers. Text of the EO is available here.  We will continue to reach out to press contacts to create additional coverage.

Hardwood Economic Relief Update: The Hardwood Federation has received good questions over the last few weeks about the state of our economic relief effort; what the current status is, what the path forward looks like, and how funds will be distributed. As with many issues buried in the murkiness of Congressional action, there are some misunderstandings about our goals and where we are. We hope the below will provide clarity and resolve any confusion.

• The Hardwood Federation has secured $200 million in hardwood producer relief in the pending agriculture supplemental package now awaiting action in Congress. It marks the first time the federal government would extend to hardwood producers the kind of relief that supports crop and livestock producers.
• Getting here took years of groundwork. With support from House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman and their colleagues, the industry has made its case in Washington.
• Our immediate priority is getting this funding across the finish line. Once it is approved, the next step is working with USDA to determine eligibility criteria and how funds will be allocated. Despite some reports, no formula has been finalized, and input from all 31 of our member associations will be crucial to getting it right.
• Our goal is to launch a program that reaches domestic hardwood producers, not one limited to just companies that export.
• Just as important, this effort would set a precedent and a process within USDA for supporting the hardwood industry in the future as markets and global demand evolve.
• This would be a watershed moment for hardwoods and for the rural communities and forests that depend on them. We are on the cusp, and we are working with our allies to finish the job by the end of 2026.
• With Congress recessed until after the election, action on the supplemental bill will be delayed until after the election.

We will keep you posted through our Cheat Sheet, Newsletters and communications through our member associations.