Your HBA's Top 12, Number 2: NAHB Chairman Rutenberg testifies before Congress on Lacey Act

Builder Review Daily is highlighting your HBA's Top 12 actions this Spring on behalf of home builders.

Number 2, NAHB Chairman Rutenberg testifies before Congress on the Lacey Act:

One of the most important things that NAHB does for its members is to serve as your voice in Washington, and ensure that our industry’s concerns are taken into account when changes that will affect your businesses are being debated by Congress and regulators. One such instance of this representation was Chairman Barry Rutenberg’s testimony before Congress on May 8 regarding needed changes to the Lacey Act to protect businesses that unknowingly purchase illegal wood products from having their property seized and being exposed to civil and criminal liability.

Due to its representation of more than 140,000 members of the housing industry, NAHB is a recognized force and authority in the nation’s capital, and our senior officers are frequently invited to testify before Congress as laws impacting our industry are debated. NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg appeared before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs on one such occasion this May. Making it clear that NAHB supports the goals of the Lacey Act and the prevention of trade in illegally harvested plant and wood products, Rutenberg called lawmakers' attention to the fact that "honest business owners, including home builders who exercise due care and had no knowledge that a seized product contains illegal wood, should have the right to seek the return of those goods.” Under the current statute, innocent companies are left without legal standing to challenge a government taking in court. “Builders have no way of knowing the origin of a particular piece of lumber, a component of a cabinet, a closet door or crown molding,” Rutenberg explained. That is why NAHB is urging Congress to amend the Lacey Act to include reaffirmation of civil forfeiture law so that innocent consumers and businesses would have the opportunity to seek the return of their property in court if it was seized as a result of any enforcement actions under the law. Contact: Suzanne Beall (800-368-5242 x8407).