Forest Parity Act draws competing testimony on logging, small business support and old‑growth protection

At a hearing before the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Representative Carter introduced House Bill 5,098, the “Forest Parity Act,” aimed at aligning tax and regulatory treatment for forestry operations, arborists and related forest businesses.

Carter said Rhode Island’s forestry workforce is aging and that nearly all forests are unmanaged year to year; the bill aims to encourage local participation in forest management and create parity with agricultural enterprises. “This bill is incredibly important for the future of Rhode Island's forests,” Carter told the committee.

Industry witnesses — including Adam Cipe, treasurer of the Rhode Island Wood Operators Organization, Scott Yeaten of Northeastern Tree Service and Greg Garrett, who said rural economies need a viable forestry industry — urged support and noted the bill would help small businesses. “If farmers can get certain kinds of tax breaks… I'd support it for people who are working in the woods,” Garrett said.

Conservation witnesses strongly opposed the bill as written. Nathan Cornell, president of the Old Growth Tree Society, said H 5,098 would “make it more profitable to log and clear‑cut forests” and argued it would harm biodiversity, increase fire risk from slash and release carbon from trees into the atmosphere.

Members raised zoning and taxation language and asked the sponsor about protections for designated old‑growth stands; Carter said he would be “absolutely willing to add a sub‑bay to protect old growth.” Several committee members suggested the bill’s zoning language should be clarified to avoid allowing forestry operations in any municipal zone without limit.

The hearing record includes written testimony from the Rhode Island Farm Bureau and others. The committee did not vote on the bill at the hearing.