Crapo, Risch Introduce Youth Careers in Logging Act

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have introduced the Youth Careers in Logging Act, S. 2336, which would extend benefits enjoyed by others in the agriculture industry by allowing family members to learn the trade of logging from a younger age so that they may carry on the family business. 

"This legislation offers tomorrow's leaders the family training to become the future of the industry and assist in the restoration of our national forests," said Crapo. 

"In the logging industry, as in many other agricultural industries, family business is a way of life," said Risch. "By lowering the age that young adults are able to begin helping their parents operate safe and modern machinery, we are helping to bolster the entire logging industry. These young loggers will help restore Idaho forests and all national forest lands into healthy, fire-tolerant forests and bring much-needed natural resources into the marketplace to make paper and build homes."

The bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 so that 16- and 17-year-olds would be allowed to work in mechanized logging operations under parental supervision.

U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador has introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.