The Lacey Act protects plants and wildlife by prohibiting trade in wildlife, fish and plants that have been illegally taken, transported or sold. The law affects boat manufacturers as it applies to imported wood products.

On June 7, the House Natural Resources Committee voted to move forward with the Lacey Act amendment bill (HR 3210). The bill allows boat builders whose imported wood is seized by the U.S. government to argue, before a federal judge, they have done everything possible to ensure the wood was legally harvested and processed.