Rural Forest Markets Act of 2023

The Rural Forest Markets Act of 2023 establishes a program to guarantee bonds, loans, or investment vehicles for rural private forest landowners and eligible entities (like nonprofits or state agencies) to participate in voluntary environmental credit markets. It requires projects to use approved, high-integrity methodologies for sustainable forestry, prohibits artificial demand for credits, and mandates annual audits to ensure compliance. The program is capped at $150 million total funding and must minimize disruptions to traditional timber markets by analyzing timber supply data. It specifically aims to help landowners not previously engaged in forest products markets, including those with small forest parcels, through activities like reforestation and conservation easements.