Brian Newman, a home builder in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina is advocating for legislation to be passed by the Agriculture, Energy and Environment Committee, before the end of session on June 17th. As a forest landowner, past Outer Banks Home Builder ‘s Association president and third-generation sawyer, Mr. Newman joined with Rep. Wayne Sasser to develop a bill that promotes local sawmills, rural jobs and lumber cost savings. HB 141 was introduced by Representatives Hanig, Sasser, Brody, and Greene. The bill was written to address industry concerns, education standards, certification and compliance, and a mill location stamp. Rep. Hanig led the charge on this legislation and even with outside forces and influence and unethical methods this bill passed the NC House 118-0. The legislation is widely supported by local and state home builders’ associations provided it meets the criteria of North Carolina Building codes. HB141 also promotes training and certification of sawyers who will be cutting and milling the lumber.

Similar legislation to HB141 was passed in New Hampshire and Wisconsin in 1994 and 2007 respectively and has been successfully implemented.  Andy Fast, UNH Cooperative Extension's Forest Industry Specialist, stated that there have been no reported problems with the lumber being used in home construction since 1996 when the bill was implemented. “That’s probably because their standards are equal to or better than No. 2 grade in accordance with the conditions set forth in the American Softwood Standard PS 20-70,” noted Fast in a conversation. This successfully-proven legislation is why they are an outstanding example for other states to adopt and help alleviate lumber shortage, and high lumber prices, as well as provide economic viability to landowners who are too far from sawmills to be able to sell their trees. The legislation also promotes training and certification of sawyers who will be cutting and milling the lumber. We are working with New Hampshire and Wisconsin to use their proven training model to be replicated within the North Carolina University system, specifically, N.C. State.

HB 141 has the support of the North Carolina Home Builders Association as well as hundreds of sawyers throughout the state.

The bill was written to address any foreseeable industry concerns, education standards, certification and compliance, and a mill location stamp. HB 141 was introduced by Representatives Hanig, Sasser, Brody, and Green. Rep. Hanig led the charge on this legislation. It passed the NC House 118-0.

I encourage you to ask why a bill that is so beneficial for everyone in North Carolina —except big lumber— is going to the Agriculture Committee for discussion only and not a vote when it passed the NC House 118-0. “What is the controversy? Are big lumber companies influencing politicians? Why is legislation that saves more and wastes less in the environment and pockets of North Carolina Residents being stalled?”. Senate leaders are only allowing the Agriculture committee to have a discussion and not a vote. I, along with 14,000 NC home builder members, over 7,000 sawyers, and over 10,000 forest landowners and farmers are asking for your help. Contact the Co-Chairs of the Agriculture Committee today and ask that they support HB141 (and thank them for putting it up for a vote).