The Forest Bioeconomy Act aims to expand research and commercialization of forest products by establishing new markets for wood that currently has little commercial value, including its use as a renewable fuel feedstock. The bill creates an Office of Technology Transfer within the Forest Service, led by a Chief Commercialization Officer, to help bring Forest Service research innovations to market and coordinate with private companies and venture capital firms. Additionally, the legislation establishes a mass timber science and education program to support research on engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber for use in tall buildings, addressing needs of architects, developers, and the forest products industry. The bill authorizes $5 million annually for technology transfer activities and allocates up to $4 million from existing Forest Service research funding for the mass timber program, with a pilot voucher program for small businesses running through 2031 to help them access Forest Service research facilities.
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