Environment (Forestry)

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 24, 2025

S 1094: Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025

S 1094, the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025, requires U.S. federal agencies (like the General Services Administration and Department of Defense) to prioritize using U.S.-made mass timber products in new public building construction. It mandates that agencies give contract preference to mass timber sourced from domestic facilities and responsibly harvested U.S. forests, with specific priority for products from forest restoration practices, wildfire prevention efforts, or underserved forest owners. The bill also requires a lifecycle assessment of mass timber buildings' environmental impact and a public report within 180 days of enactment. This directly affects federal building projects and U.S. timber producers meeting the defined sourcing criteria.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes sustainable forestry and carbon sequestration via mass timber use in federal buildings, prioritizing responsibly harvested materials and forest restoration practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2025

S 517: Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025

The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025 updates how the U.S. Forest Service collects and reports forest data. It requires the agency to modernize its data collection methods - including adding timber product studies and woodland owner surveys - to better track forest carbon (including below-ground carbon), land use changes, and biomass supplies. The bill mandates nationally consistent data protocols, improved transparency in reporting, and regular updates to a strategic plan (submitted to Congress every 5 years) detailing how the agency will integrate remote sensing technologies and collaborate with partners. These changes directly affect the Forest Service’s inventory program and make forest data more accessible to researchers, landowners, and industries while protecting confidential plot locations and owner information.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enhances forest carbon tracking and biomass data, supporting renewable energy and carbon management efforts.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentModernizes forest data collection for carbon tracking, land use, and biomass, enhancing environmental monitoring and climate policy support per bill's focus on improved carbon reporting and consistent protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 27, 2026

S 2578: Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act

S 2578, the "Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act," directs U.S. agencies to support Brazil in combating criminal networks driving deforestation and environmental harm in the Amazon. It requires the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to identify sustainable economic opportunities and investment risks in the region, and authorizes $10 million annually (2025-2028) for U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance, capacity building, and support for sustainable livelihoods and Indigenous rights in Brazil. The bill mandates reports to Congress on drivers of deforestation (including Chinese involvement in illicit resource extraction), progress on disrupting criminal networks, and U.S. efforts to influence international financial institutions to oppose loans exacerbating deforestation. It directly affects U.S. agencies (State, USAID, Treasury) and Brazilian authorities working to address illegal logging, mining, wildlife trafficking, and associated corruption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $10 million annually (2025-2028) for U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance and support sustainable economic opportunities, directly funding a program through government spending.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects U.S. support to combat Amazon deforestation, funds sustainable economic opportunities, and provides technical assistance for environmental protection in the Brazilian Amazon.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

Track

in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2771: Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act

HR 2771, the Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act, allows states to authorize qualified organizations (like accredited land trusts) to acquire, hold, and manage conservation easements under the Forest Legacy Program instead of requiring states to handle all such easements directly. To qualify, organizations must meet IRS standards for conservation purposes, maintain Land Trust Accreditation Commission accreditation, and demonstrate ability to monitor and enforce easements. The bill includes safeguards requiring easements to revert to the state or another approved organization if the qualified organization fails to meet program requirements or modifies easements inconsistently. This directly affects states administering the Forest Legacy Program and eligible land conservation groups working on forestland protection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables accredited land trusts to manage forest conservation easements, advancing land protection under Forest Legacy Program per conservation easement language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · House May 17, 2025

HR 3476: Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025

The Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to conserve forest land through easements. The program provides cost-share assistance (50-75% of fair market value) for eligible entities to purchase forest land easements or for the Secretary to purchase forest reserve easements directly. It requires forest management plans for enrolled land, prioritizes protection of endangered species habitat, and sets aside 10% of annual funding for beginning, socially disadvantaged, veteran, and limited resource forest landowners. The program replaces the Healthy Forests Reserve Program and allocates $100 million annually from 2026-2030 for implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes federal program to conserve forest land via easements, requires management plans, prioritizes endangered species habitat, and funds conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2025

HR 4420: Cool Corridors Act of 2025

The Cool Corridors Act of 2025 expands the existing Healthy Streets program to fund tree planting, shade structures, and green infrastructure along transportation corridors - like bus stops, transit hubs, and school zones - to reduce heat exposure. It directly affects communities facing extreme heat and limited tree canopy (especially low-income or historically underserved areas), as well as state/local transit agencies, schools, and environmental groups. Key provisions include requiring projects to prioritize heat-vulnerable regions, mandate annual reporting on temperature reduction and equity outcomes, and ensure tree planting doesn’t obstruct traffic safety. The bill also extends program funding through 2030 and mandates coordination with agencies like the EPA and Forest Service.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly targets school zones for heat-reduction infrastructure, improving school environment and access per education topic description.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds tree planting and green infrastructure to reduce urban heat exposure, directly advancing environmental conservation and climate adaptation in underserved communities.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds tree planting/shade structures at transit hubs to enhance public transit infrastructure sustainability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Water Quality Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

S 1476: M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act

This bill designates specific segments of New Mexico's Gila River system as Wild and Scenic Rivers, protecting them from development while preserving existing rights. It classifies over 50 river segments totaling hundreds of miles as "wild," "recreational," or "scenic" rivers and withdraws federal lands within these areas from mining, logging, and other development activities. The legislation also modifies boundaries of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and Gila National Forest to incorporate these protected areas. Existing water rights, grazing permits, and mining operations remain unaffected by the designation. The bill aims to protect the ecological and recreational value of these rivers while respecting current land uses and rights.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts energy development by withdrawing federal lands from mining and logging activities within designated river segments, limiting potential energy resource extraction.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates Gila River segments as protected Wild and Scenic Rivers, withdraws federal lands from mining/logging, and preserves natural resources per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · House Jan 8, 2026

HR 179: Proven Forest Management Act of 2025

HR 179, the Proven Forest Management Act of 2025, requires U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department managers to conduct forest management activities on National Forest System land in ways that achieve multiple ecosystem benefits - including reducing wildfire fuels, maintaining biodiversity, improving water quality, and increasing climate resilience. It simplifies environmental reviews for fuel-reduction projects under 10,000 acres (with no more than 3,000 acres of mechanical thinning) by exempting them from standard National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, provided projects are coordinated with local governments and fire departments. The bill also mandates post-activity monitoring of ground conditions and allows cooperative agreements with local entities for activities like erosion control and stream restoration. This directly affects federal forest managers and local stakeholders involved in wildfire risk reduction on public lands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates forest management achieving ecosystem benefits including wildfire fuel reduction, biodiversity maintenance, water quality improvement, and climate resilience, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Nov 18, 2025

S 3190: Fire Innovation Unit Act of 2025

This bill establishes a 7-year pilot program to test and deploy innovative wildfire technologies through partnerships between federal agencies and private entities. It directly affects federal land management agencies (like the Forest Service and FEMA), state/local fire departments, and private companies, nonprofits, or universities developing fire prevention, detection, and response tools. The program will identify priority technology areas - such as remote sensing, community resilience tools, and autonomous suppression systems - and connect innovators with agencies for real-world testing, with evaluations focused on effectiveness, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Annual reports to Congress will track progress, costs, and barriers to adopting these technologies at scale. The goal is to accelerate the use of proven tools to improve wildfire management across federal and local operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates wildfire tech pilot to prevent/detect fires, directly protecting natural resources and ecosystems from wildfire damage, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes pilot program to fund and deploy innovative wildfire technologies through federal partnerships, directly advancing technology deployment in fire management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Tags Emergency Management

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 13, 2025

S 1050: Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025

This bill creates the Forest Conservation Easement Program, providing federal funding to help landowners place conservation easements on eligible forest land. The program offers two types of easements: forest land easements (purchased by eligible entities from landowners) and forest reserve easements (purchased directly by the federal government). It prioritizes protecting working forests and habitats for species at risk, with funding up to 75% of the fair market value for easements and special considerations for socially disadvantaged forest landowners. The program is funded at $100 million annually for fiscal years 2025-2029 and requires forest management plans for enrolled land.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds conservation easements to protect forests and habitats, prioritizing species at risk and working forests - direct environmental protection through land conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

Track