House Passes Letlow Bill Supporting Louisiana Farmers, Forest Landowners

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives has passed Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s bill to protect Louisiana’s signature timber industry by cutting red tape for forest landowners, while also strengthening support for impacted livestock producers.

The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act would better support Louisiana’s timber economy in the event of natural disasters, assuring more timely and effective support when disasters like wildfires strike. These events not only devastate forest land, but also disrupt grazing operations, destroy fencing and water infrastructure, and create significant recovery costs for livestock producers. 

“I’m thrilled to see the House pass my bill to protect Louisiana’s signature timber economy. We are quickly approaching wildfire season, and when disaster hits, recovery cannot wait,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow. “Our family foresters and livestock producers shouldn’t be left picking up the pieces after their own after extreme weather events, and often don’t have the operating cash to do so. My legislation would ensure that help is available as soon as disaster strikes, with more flexibility and less red tape.”

The measure would provide nonindustrial forest landowners with advance emergency payments following natural disasters, rather than requiring them to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement. It also enables livestock producers to receive upfront support through the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to cover critical repair and recovery costs. The legislation also includes damage caused by man-made fires when spread by natural conditions, as well as wildfires originating from federal actions.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised Letlow’s successful efforts to fight for Louisiana priorities.

“When disaster strikes, it can take weeks, months or even years for communities to get the help they need to rebuild, and this bill by Congresswoman Letlow that we passed today will bring relief more quickly to families impacted by disasters. Congresswoman Letlow has been a real fighter and champion for Louisiana farmers and landowners and this bill will expedite relief for thousands of Louisiana families,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana. "I applaud Congresswoman Letlow for her continued leadership and hard work to reform the disaster recovery process for our farmers and homeowners.”

In recent years, wildfires burned over 60,000 acres of prime forest land in Louisiana, causing evacuations and severe damage to timber operations and surrounding agricultural activity.

“Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters. The dynamic effects of wildfires, floods, hurricanes and even ice storms can leave foresters and landowners deep in the red for years to come,” said Richard Fontenot, Louisiana Farm Bureau President. “Louisiana Farm Bureau is thankful to Congresswoman Julia Letlow for hearing our cry for help, working with us to develop solutions, and bringing forth the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act to the House floor and getting it passed to the next chamber. This will truly get aid to agriculture when needed, not years down the road.”

“On behalf of the Forest Landowners Association and the millions of acres of working forests our members steward, I want to thank Congresswoman Julia Letlow for her leadership on H.R. 1011. This legislation provides critical, commonsense improvements to disaster recovery programs that will help forest landowners and family forestry businesses respond more quickly and effectively after hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. By ensuring timely access to assistance, Congresswoman Letlow is helping strengthen the resilience of working forests and the rural communities that depend on them,” said Scott Jones, CEO of the Forest Landowners Association.