Bills · HR 6277
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 6277Public Lands and Natural Resources
SAWMILL Act
INTRO NOV 21· LAST ACTION JAN 13
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
13BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it tries to address two challenges at once: supporting rural economies and improving the health of federal forests. Many rural areas have seen sawmills close, leading to job losses. At the same time, many federal forests are overgrown, increasing the risk of severe wildfires and harming ecosystems. By linking loan guarantees for sawmills to forest restoration needs, the bill aims to create a market for wood removed from these projects, potentially making forest thinning more affordable and stimulating local economies.
If this bill becomes law, we might see more operational sawmills in rural areas and potentially faster, cheaper forest restoration efforts. If it doesn't pass, these rural industries might continue to struggle, and forest management agencies may face higher costs for restoration projects, potentially leaving more forests at risk from catastrophic fires.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes requirements for a loan guarantee program for sawmills and wood-processing facilities.
This creates a structured way for specific rural businesses to access financial support through government-backed loans.
PROVISION 02
Defines 'eligible entity' as a sawmill or wood-processing facility located in a rural area of the United States.
This provision clearly targets the type of businesses and geographic areas the program intends to help.
PROVISION 03
Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to identify federal lands as high priority for ecological restoration involving vegetation removal.
This links the economic aid to sawmills directly with the environmental goal of improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk.
PROVISION 04
Provides loan guarantees to eligible facilities within 250 miles of identified federal land, if the facility helps substantially decrease restoration costs.
This ensures the financial support is strategically placed to achieve both economic development and cost-effective forest management.
PROVISION 05
Caps the total amount of loan guarantees under the program at $220,000,000.
This sets a financial limit for the program, indicating the maximum potential cost to the government.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 13
R· Washington
YRS IN OFFICE
11
BILLS LED
29
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 76%
DEM 8 REP 5 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTSJAN 13
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
NOV 21
Introduced in House
NOV 21
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
NOV 21
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 6277
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedNov 21, 2025
Last actionJan 13, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED NOV 21, 2025
House BillHR 6277Public Lands and Natural Resources
SAWMILL Act
INTRODUCED NOV 21, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 13, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
13
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
