119th (2025–2027)
S. 2598
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.