This legislation amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to introduce new requirements for the fair enforcement of merchandise detained for inspection. When merchandise is detained, the Secretary must either release it or issue a notice of detention to the importer within five days, detailing the reason, anticipated length, and planned tests. This notice also specifies any information that could expedite the disposition of the detention. Within ten days of a detention notice, importers may request to transport the detained merchandise to an off-site location, provided they cover costs, post a bond, and the transfer does not impede the Act's intent. The Secretary is also required to provide importers with test results and sufficient information to replicate those tests . Crucially, the Secretary must either release or formally seize the detained merchandise within 30 days of its initial detention, with failure to act resulting in a deemed seizure. Importers are granted the right to request an administrative review of any seizure or deemed seizure, which the Secretary must address within 30 days by either releasing the goods or affirming the seizure. If the administrative review affirms the seizure or fails to provide a timely decision, the importer may then file a claim in a United States district court. The court can order the release of the merchandise unless the Secretary demonstrates good cause for the ongoing lack of an admissibility decision.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Environmental Protection
Strengthen Wood Product Supply Chains Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-2239| House
| Updated: 3/18/2025
This legislation amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to introduce new requirements for the fair enforcement of merchandise detained for inspection. When merchandise is detained, the Secretary must either release it or issue a notice of detention to the importer within five days, detailing the reason, anticipated length, and planned tests. This notice also specifies any information that could expedite the disposition of the detention. Within ten days of a detention notice, importers may request to transport the detained merchandise to an off-site location, provided they cover costs, post a bond, and the transfer does not impede the Act's intent. The Secretary is also required to provide importers with test results and sufficient information to replicate those tests . Crucially, the Secretary must either release or formally seize the detained merchandise within 30 days of its initial detention, with failure to act resulting in a deemed seizure. Importers are granted the right to request an administrative review of any seizure or deemed seizure, which the Secretary must address within 30 days by either releasing the goods or affirming the seizure. If the administrative review affirms the seizure or fails to provide a timely decision, the importer may then file a claim in a United States district court. The court can order the release of the merchandise unless the Secretary demonstrates good cause for the ongoing lack of an admissibility decision.