Contact Congress about S. 3371: FOREST Act of 2023
Companies could not import covered goods tied to illegal forest clearing after the bill becomes law. Importers would have to check and report where those goods came from. The bill also funds enforcement and rewards some federal suppliers with strong anti-deforestation rules.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
FOREST Act of 2023 is a Senate bill in Congress.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects importers and companies that use palm oil, soy, cocoa, cattle, leather, rubber, and related goods. They may need better records, mapping, supplier checks, and reporting systems. It also affects foreign producers and governments in countries linked to illegal deforestation. Their access to the U.S. market could depend on clearer proof, stronger enforcement, and action-plan benchmarks.
Why this matters: The bill matters because U.S. demand can help drive goods from places where forests are cleared illegally. It would push companies to prove more about where covered goods came from. That could improve supply-chain tracking and help protect forests. It could also raise costs or shut out smaller producers who cannot afford detailed records.
Key provisions in S. 3371
- Companies could not import covered goods tied to illegal forest clearing after the bill becomes law. The ban applies when the goods are made in whole or in part from covered commodities grown on that land.
- Importers would have to file electronic reports before bringing in covered goods. They must say they used reasonable care, meaning serious steps, to check and lower illegal deforestation risk. Goods from countries under action plans would need more data.
- The U.S. Trade Representative would list the covered commodities and products and keep those lists updated. The agency would also name countries that lack strong protection against illegal deforestation, using forest trends, enforcement ability, and effects on rights.
- Countries with weak protections would get public action plans. The plans would set goals for laws, enforcement, monitoring, land-use data, and supply-chain tracking. A country could ask to end the plan after meeting the goals.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection would create a trusted trader program. Importers with strong and open due-diligence systems could get easier procedures, but they could still face random audits and removal from the program.
How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 3371
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about S. 3371
- What is S. 3371?
- Companies could not import covered goods tied to illegal forest clearing after the bill becomes law. Importers would have to check and report where those goods came from. The bill also funds enforcement and rewards some federal suppliers with strong anti-deforestation rules.
- How do I support or oppose S. 3371?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about S. 3371?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain S. 3371 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
