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ARTICLE
Date ArticleType
6/13/2018 Member News

NAHB key vote on WOTUS amendment to Farm Bill


Through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the HBA is following the progress of federal legislation important to both the home building industry and Oregonians in general.

Recently, three amendments were adopted to the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (the “Farm Bill”) that will repeal the 2015 “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule, as well as create better forest management practices and strengthen the housing supply chain. Repealing the WOTUS rule is critical to the home building industry, as its regulations and procedural flaws impact both small business and housing affordability. The other two amendments address the consideration of long-term forest health in forest management activities as well as promote transparency and oversight in forest management practices, aiding in increased domestic timber supply and providing more affordable housing nationwide.

Though these amendments were adopted, the Farm Bill failed to pass the House floor due to political factors not relevant to the bill’s content. However, the bill, with the amendments added, will be up for another vote later this month.