Joint statement on passage of the Tropical Hardwood Loophole Closure Bill by the New York legislature — EIA
Satellite view of wood piles

Joint statement on passage of the Tropical Hardwood Loophole Closure Bill by the New York legislature

We applaud the legislature’s passage of S.8851/A.9598, which will close longstanding loopholes allowing state agencies to continue purchasing tropical hardwoods linked to global deforestation despite existing restrictions under New York law. The bill will now go to Gov. Kathy Hochul for her signature.

“Tropical forests are a critical part of the global ecosystem that we all depend on for our very survival, and they are threatened like never before. New York State must take the lead in ensuring our procurement dollars are not driving logging in these tropical forests, exacerbating the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, and threatening the rights, lands, and lives of Indigenous peoples. This bill simply closes glaring loopholes in a law that’s been on the books for over thirty years, so that it will finally work as intended and reduce New York’s deforestation footprint.”

Senator Liz Krueger

“Tropical forests are essential to a stable climate, healthy ecosystems, and the survival of countless species and the planet’s biodiversity. By closing longstanding loopholes in state procurement law, this bill ensures New York is no longer contributing to tropical deforestation through its purchasing decisions. I look forward to Governor Hochul signing it into law.”

Assemblymember Deborah Glick

“Having worked for more than 30 years on closing the loopholes in the existing NY law, this is momentous. Our years-long campaigns targeting NY agencies like NYC Parks, NYC DOT and MTA were all due to the loophole that allowed continued use of the main tropical hardwoods used for decking, pilings and subway track ties. We call on Governor Hochul to step up for rainforests, for the indigenous people being killed and displaced by loggers, and for the wildlife being wiped out to procure tropical hardwoods.

Tim Keating, Director of Rainforest Relief

“For too long, major loopholes in state procurement law have allowed taxpayer dollars to support tropical deforestation, contributing to the destruction of irreplaceable ecosystems that are a critical part of global emissions reduction strategy. This bill is a practical, commonsense fix that strengthens New York’s existing protections and ensures state agencies can no longer sidestep the law to continue buying tropical hardwoods tied to environmental devastation. We applaud the Senate for joining the Assembly in passing it, and urge Governor Hochul to sign it.”

Claire Walsh Winsler, Director of Food, Agriculture, and Land Use, Environmental Advocates NY

“We applaud this moral and economic win for New York, and thank the Senate and Assembly for passing the Tropical Hardwoods Loophole Closure Act. For decades, New York’s procurement law omitted key tropical hardwood species that are now on the brink of extinction along with their unique ecology and critical carbon sequestration. There are many alternatives including some produced here in New York. We look to Governor Hochul to sign this key legislation into law.”

Bob Rossi, Executive Director, New York Sustainable Business Council

“Around the world, poorly regulated commercial logging continues to ravage tropical rainforests, destroying irreplaceable biodiversity while fueling environmental crime, corruption and violence against Indigenous communities. We commend the New York lawmakers who passed this bill for showing climate leadership and directing taxpayer money towards more sustainable building materials, and hope to see it signed into law without delay.”

Rick Jacobsen, Senior Manager for Commodities Policy, Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)

“We thank the NYS Senate & Assembly for passing this important bill, as it is an essential piece of the puzzle to preserve our planet, as more sustainable and ethical practices will ensure a healthier future for our businesses and the environment. We proudly stand with everyone committed to ending the destruction of biodiversity and displacement of Indigenous Peoples due to tropical deforestation, and collectively call for Governor Hochul to sign S.8851/A.9598 into law.”

Marcus Sibley, NY Metro Director of Conservation Partnerships, National Wildlife Federation

Background

  • The Tropical Hardwood Loophole Closure Bill (8851/A.9598) strengthens New York’s existing restrictions on government purchases of tropical hardwoods, which were enacted in the 1990s in response to rising tropical deforestation driven in part by unsustainable and often illegal logging.
  • The legislation expands the list of prohibited tropical hardwood species, updating outdated rules that have allowed agencies to continue purchasing tropical hardwoods for products such as railroad ties and park benches.
  • The law is a win-win for the environment and local businesses. It demonstrates New York’s commitment to protecting our climate and the world’s tropical forests — home to half of all plant and animal species — while directing taxpayer dollars towards wood grown closer to home.