Future Logging Careers Act

This bill proposes to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to create exemptions from child labor laws for certain 16- and 17-year-old individuals working in logging operations. The primary goal is to allow younger workers to gain experience in the logging industry under specific conditions. The legislation defines "logging operation" broadly to include mechanized operations , timber processing, transportation, and maintenance of related infrastructure and equipment, but specifically excludes manual chainsaw use or cable skidders for felling and processing. Crucially, the bill stipulates that child labor provisions for hazardous occupations will not apply to 16- and 17-year-olds if they are employed by their parent or guardian in a logging operation owned or operated by that parent or guardian.