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A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation designed to expand the use of mass timber in federal construction projects, creating new market opportunities for U.S. manufacturers and the broader forest products industry.
The Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act, introduced by U.S. Reps. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pa.) and Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), would establish contracting preferences for qualifying mass timber products used in the construction, renovation and acquisition of federal buildings, including military facilities. The bill is currently under committee review.
The legislation proposes a two-tier preference system for federal procurement. The primary tier would apply to mass timber products manufactured in the United States using responsibly sourced wood from state, federal, private and Tribal forestlands. An optional second tier would prioritize products derived from forest restoration projects, wildfire mitigation efforts and other active forest management practices.
For manufacturers of engineered wood products, panels and structural building systems, the legislation represents a potential expansion of demand for domestically produced mass timber while reinforcing the role of wood as a sustainable construction material.
The bill would also require whole-building lifecycle assessments for qualifying projects, generating additional data on the environmental performance of mass timber compared with conventional building materials. Supporters say the information could strengthen the case for wood construction in future public and private projects.
"American forests...are tremendous natural resources, and when managed responsibly, they serve as a long-term source of high-quality timber," Thompson said. "We aim to expand markets for timber and innovative wood products that Pennsylvania's foresters and mills are ready to support."
Salinas noted that expanding the use of mass timber in federal buildings could help strengthen domestic manufacturing while supporting sustainable forestry and reducing construction-related carbon emissions.
The legislation has drawn support from a broad coalition of forestry and wood products organizations, including the National Alliance of Forest Owners, the Forest Landowners Association, the American Forest Resource Council, the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group and the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association. Industry groups say expanding federal use of mass timber would encourage investment in manufacturing, create new markets for domestically sourced wood products and support long-term forest management.
A companion measure has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and James Risch (R-Idaho).
If enacted, the legislation could provide an important policy boost for the growing mass timber sector, reinforcing the increasing role of engineered wood products in commercial and institutional construction while creating new opportunities across the forest products supply chain.
