Jobs in the Woods Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4575

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-21: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-04-09T16:49:56Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Jobs in the Woods Act" (H.R. 4575) aims to create a federal grant program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support training and career development in the forestry sector. It focuses on building a skilled workforce in rural areas by funding programs that prepare people for jobs in forestry operations (like logging and management) and forestry products industries (like wood processing).

Key Provisions

• Grant Program Establishment: The USDA Secretary must set up a competitive grant program within one year of the bill's enactment. Grants will fund "career pathway" training programs—structured sequences of education, training, and support services leading to well-paying jobs in forestry. These programs target "eligible areas," defined as rural, low-income communities (nonmetropolitan areas qualifying under tax code rules for low-income status) with populations of 50,000 or fewer that have or plan broadband internet access.

• Grant Details:
• Duration: Up to 4 years.
• Amount: Between $500,000 and $2,000,000 per grant.

• Application Requirements: Eligible applicants must submit plans showing:
• Their ability to run the training program.
• Local need for forestry workforce skills.
• Expected reach (number of people served).
• Strategies for long-term sustainability.
• Detailed implementation steps.

Priority goes to applicants addressing an aging forestry workforce and youth leaving rural areas, partnering with high schools, vocational/technical schools, or community colleges, and helping with job placement in forestry.

• Eligible Recipients: Nonprofits, state governments, Native American tribes, local governments, or colleges/universities.

• Funding Authorization: $10,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new grant program under USDA authority, with no explicit amendments to prior laws. It builds on existing workforce definitions from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (which outlines career pathways) and references definitions from education and tax laws, but creates a standalone initiative focused specifically on forestry workforce needs in rural areas.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The USDA will gain responsibility for administering the program, including reviewing applications and distributing funds, potentially increasing administrative workload but supporting rural economic goals.

• On Citizens: Rural residents, especially in low-income forestry-dependent communities, could benefit from accessible training, leading to better job opportunities, reduced youth outmigration, and a younger, more skilled workforce. It may help address labor shortages in forestry by attracting and retaining workers.

• On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill is domestically focused on U.S. rural workforce development.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• USDA and Federal Government: Primary administrator of the grant program.
• Rural Communities and Forestry Workers: Direct beneficiaries through training access, job placement, and economic revitalization in eligible areas.
• Educational Institutions: High schools, vocational schools, community colleges, and universities that partner on programs.
• Nonprofits, Tribes, and Local Governments: Eligible to apply for and run grants, potentially expanding their role in workforce training.
• Forestry Industry Employers: Gain from a more skilled labor pool, aiding hiring in operations and products sectors.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill uses standard congressional mechanisms to authorize spending and delegate program administration to the USDA Secretary, with clear definitions to ensure compliance. It relies on existing federal definitions (e.g., from tax and education laws) to avoid ambiguity.

• Constitutional: Falls under Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8) to promote general welfare through workforce investments, and commerce clause authority to support industries like forestry that affect interstate trade. No apparent conflicts with state rights, as it allows state and local participation.

• Political: Sponsored by a bipartisan group of representatives, it emphasizes rural job creation and addresses demographic challenges (aging workers, youth migration), aligning with broader policy goals for economic equity in underserved areas. If enacted, it could set a model for targeted federal grants in other rural sectors, though funding levels are modest relative to national workforce programs.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3]

Cosponsors (15)

Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-21: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-07-21: Introduced in House
• 2025-07-21: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Jobs in the Woods Act — issued 2025-07-21 — PDF (5 pages)