Future in Logging Careers Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1193

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-11: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-06-10T08:07:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 1193: Future in Logging Careers Act

Purpose

This bill aims to modify child labor protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 to allow limited exemptions for 16- and 17-year-old workers in the timber harvesting industry, particularly in family-owned businesses. The goal is to support youth entry into logging careers while balancing safety regulations.

Key Provisions

• Definitions Added to FLSA Section 3:
• Timber harvesting employer: An employer involved in activities like felling, skidding (dragging logs), loading, processing timber (e.g., cutting into logs or poles), transporting products, building/repairing roads or equipment for logging, and related tasks.
• Mechanized timber harvesting employer: A subset focused on using machinery (excluding manual chainsaws and cable skidders) for felling, processing, and handling timber; includes specific equipment like whole tree processors, feller-bunchers (machines that cut and bunch trees), forwarders (vehicles that carry logs), and log loaders.
• Exemption in FLSA Section 13(c)(8):
• Child labor rules under FLSA Section 12 (which prohibit minors under 18 from hazardous jobs) generally apply to 16- and 17-year-olds working for timber or mechanized timber harvesting employers in occupations deemed "particularly hazardous" by the Secretary of Labor.
• Exception: These rules do not apply if the employer is owned or operated by the minor's parent or a person acting in place of a parent (e.g., guardian). This allows family members aged 16-17 to perform hazardous logging tasks in such businesses.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The FLSA currently bans 16- and 17-year-olds from 17 specific hazardous occupations, including logging-related work like operating power-driven machinery or working near explosives—common in timber harvesting.
• This bill introduces targeted exemptions only for family-run timber operations, without altering broader FLSA rules for non-family businesses or other industries. It does not change age or hour limits for non-hazardous work (16-17-year-olds can already work unlimited non-hazardous hours).

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Labor (DOL) gains new definitions to guide enforcement but may face increased oversight challenges in verifying family ownership and assessing hazards in logging. No direct impact on international relations.
• Citizens: Could expand job opportunities for rural youth (16-17-year-olds) in timber-dependent areas, aiding family businesses and workforce shortages in logging. However, it raises safety risks for young workers in a high-danger industry (logging has one of the highest workplace fatality rates).
• Broader Economy: May support the timber industry by allowing younger family labor, potentially stabilizing small operations, but could strain worker safety resources if incidents rise.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Timber Harvesting Employers: Especially small, family-owned operations, which gain flexibility in hiring/employing relatives aged 16-17 for hazardous roles.
• Youth Workers (16-17-Year-Olds): Gain access to logging jobs in family settings but face elevated injury risks from machinery and fieldwork.
• Parents and Guardians: Benefit if they own/operate timber businesses, as it enables involving children in the family trade.
• Department of Labor: Responsible for declaring hazardous occupations and enforcing exemptions.
• Child Labor and Safety Advocates: May oppose due to concerns over protecting minors from dangerous work.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Narrows FLSA child labor protections in a specific sector, potentially leading to DOL rulemaking on "hazardous" logging jobs for 16-17-year-olds. Could invite lawsuits over safety if exemptions result in injuries, testing the balance between economic needs and labor standards.
• Constitutional: Relates to Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate industries like timber; the family exemption might invoke parental rights under the Due Process Clause, allowing family businesses more leeway than corporate ones.
• Political: Introduced by bipartisan sponsors from timber-heavy states (e.g., Maine, Pennsylvania), signaling support for rural economies. It highlights tensions between workforce development and child safety, possibly sparking debates on modernizing outdated labor laws without weakening protections overall.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]

Cosponsors (7)

Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-11: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-02-11: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Future in Logging Careers Act — issued 2025-02-11 — PDF (4 pages)