High-rise wood-framed buildings are a rarity in the United States, but that may change with the help of a bipartisan bill that calls for accelerating research and development of tall wood buildings.
U.S. Sens. Steve Daines, a Republican, and Jon Tester, a Democrat, have introduced legislation they say would support Montana’s timber industry, create jobs and boost research to find innovative ways to use wood in the construction of buildings above 85 feet in height, or roughly seven or more stories.
Called the Timber Innovation Act, the legislation could be a “game changer” for the timber industry, according to Julia Altemus, executive director of the Montana Wood Products Association.