Emergency Pine Beetle Response Act of 2024

This bill creates federal financial assistance for landowners and businesses affected by pine beetle outbreaks on privately owned forests. It provides cost-sharing payments covering up to 85% of outbreak response measures (like tree thinning, debris removal, or insecticide treatment) for landowners, and up to 50% of eligible service costs for timber businesses (e.g., logging or tree care companies). To qualify, land must have had tree cover before the outbreak, be in a drought-designated disaster area, and have confirmed pine beetle infestations. The bill also authorizes emergency loans covering at least 75% of response costs for landowners, with repayment options using cost-share payments, and grants for state/local governments to aid outbreak response.