Environment (Forestry)

in committee · United States · House Jun 10, 2026

HR 9243: Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act of 2026

This bill allows the President to declare a smoke emergency in any state facing significant air quality drops due to wildfire smoke, either based on current conditions or future predictions. Once declared, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies can provide grants, equipment, and personnel to help states and local communities set up smoke shelters, air purifiers, and monitoring sites. The legislation also authorizes the Small Business Administration to offer grants to small businesses that suffer major revenue losses because of the smoke. Additionally, the bill adjusts federal budget rules to ensure that money designated for these smoke emergency efforts is not subject to certain deficit reduction measures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes federal grants and funding for smoke shelters and air purifiers, directly advancing state budget support for emergency response.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes federal aid to establish smoke shelters and air purifiers, directly protecting public health and improving air quality during wildfire emergencies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 8958: To grant to Crook County, Oregon, a right-of-way for the construction of a new road in Juniper Canyon, and for other purposes.

This bill grants Crook County, Oregon, a permanent 80-foot right-of-way and conveys four 40-acre parcels of federal land to the county for road construction and wildfire safety. The transferred land must be maintained as fire-safe zones to support emergency response and firefighter safety, with ownership reverting to the federal government if these conditions are not met. While the county will cover all costs associated with the land transfer, the legislation does not provide any funding for the actual construction of the new road.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill transfers federal land for wildfire safety zones, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill grants right-of-way and federal land for new road construction and wildfire safety, directly advancing road infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · House Jun 11, 2026

HR 9080: Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2026

This bill directs federal agencies to prioritize the construction of public buildings using domestically sourced mass timber products. It requires the General Services Administration and the Department of Defense to give preference to wood harvested from U.S. forests and produced at facilities located within the country. The legislation further mandates that these wood products come from responsibly managed sources, such as forests undergoing restoration or those managed to prevent wildfires, while also supporting underserved forest owners. Additionally, the bill requires an independent lifecycle assessment of these new buildings to evaluate their environmental impact and a subsequent report to be submitted to Congress.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMass timber is a renewable, low-carbon building material that reduces reliance on fossil-fuel-intensive construction methods and supports sustainable forest management.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates use of domestically sourced mass timber from responsibly managed forests, promoting conservation and wildfire prevention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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passed · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SRES 741: A resolution designating May 2026 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month".

This resolution designates May 2026 as National Wildfire Preparedness Month to raise awareness about wildfire risks and promote safety measures. It encourages federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as community organizations, to increase public knowledge about fire prevention and mitigation strategies. The bill highlights specific actions such as home hardening, land management, evacuation planning, and reducing human-caused ignition sources to help communities better prepare for increasingly severe wildfire seasons.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes wildfire preparedness, which protects natural resources and reduces environmental damage from fires.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 8688: Forest Health and Wildfire Risk Reduction Act

This bill, known as the Forest Health and Wildfire Risk Reduction Act, allows the Bureau of Land Management to skip certain environmental reviews for specific small-scale forest treatments. It designates tree density modification projects under 5,000 acres as exempt from preparing environmental assessments or impact statements, provided they do not involve clearcutting or converting forests into non-forest vegetation. The exemption covers activities like selective tree removal, chipping, and burning fuel piles, which may include building up to five miles of new permanent roads or temporary access routes. To ensure environmental protection, the bill requires agencies to document how these projects address concerns such as erosion, soil compaction, and the preservation of snags and riparian areas.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts small-scale forest treatments from environmental reviews, weakening regulatory protections and reducing oversight on potential ecological impacts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 7977: Energy Bills Relief Act

The Energy Bills Relief Act aims to lower household energy costs and accelerate the development of low-cost, clean energy by modifying federal tax credits, expanding weatherization programs, and streamlining permitting processes. Key provisions include restoring tax incentives for renewable energy projects, increasing funding for low-income heating assistance, and requiring federal agencies to treat wind, solar, and storage projects with the same procedural fairness as oil and gas projects. The bill also establishes new incentives for upgrading the electricity grid, such as tax credits for transmission lines and grants for wildfire prevention measures, while creating mechanisms to ensure utilities serve public interests and protect consumers from price volatility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill restores tax incentives and increases funding for weatherization and low-income heating assistance, directly supporting budget and tax relief goals.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly aims to lower energy costs, restore tax incentives for renewables, and streamline permitting for clean energy projects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes clean energy, restores renewable tax incentives, and streamlines permitting for wind, solar, and storage projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Solar Forestry

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passed · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

SRES 742: A resolution commemorating the 70th anniversary of the United States Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.

This resolution commemorates the 70th anniversary of the United States Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, an agency established in 1956 to support research and conservation in Hawaii and Pacific islands. The bill formally recognizes the institute's contributions to wildfire management, invasive species control, and the preservation of tropical ecosystems through scientific study and community partnerships. By acknowledging the institute's vital role in protecting Pacific forests and watersheds, the Senate reaffirms its support for the agency's ongoing operations and dedicated staff.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill commemorates an institute dedicated to wildfire management, invasive species control, and tropical ecosystem preservation, indicating support for environmental conservation.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4548: GROUSE Act of 2026

The GROUSE Act of 2026 establishes a new federal program to financially support private landowners in restoring habitats for upland wildlife species. Under this initiative, eligible landowners can receive payments covering 75 percent of the costs associated with planting native trees, shrubs, and other vegetation on forest land that has been recently logged or affected by natural disasters. To qualify, the land must be at least 10 acres, and payments are limited to the lesser of 5 percent of the total eligible land or 250 acres per owner. Contracts for these restoration activities will last up to five years and require a habitat plan developed with the help of wildlife experts or foresters.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds habitat restoration and native vegetation planting on forest land, directly supporting environmental conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate May 19, 2026

S 4571: Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026

The Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026 establishes a competitive grant program for universities, national laboratories, and nonprofit research groups to study the climate impacts of ozone in the lower atmosphere. This research will focus on how ozone levels affect global and regional temperatures, crop and forest health, and interactions with other air pollutants, while also expanding monitoring networks in rural and understudied areas. The Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to award these grants and must submit a comprehensive report to Congress within four years detailing findings on ozone's contribution to warming, health effects, and potential mitigation strategies. Funding is provided for fiscal years 2027 through 2030 to support the research program, program administration, and the final reporting requirement.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes a grant program to research ozone impacts and expand monitoring networks, directly advancing environmental protection and understanding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 27, 2026

S 4403: Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026

The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 creates a new funding source to help states, tribes, and local governments improve urban tree canopies, with a specific focus on reducing disparities in areas affected by historical discrimination and poverty. To receive these funds, eligible entities must conduct tree assessments, engage with local communities, and design projects using climate science to ensure trees are properly planted and maintained. The legislation prioritizes funding for neighborhoods with high poverty rates, low existing tree cover, or higher summer temperatures, while also supporting community-led food production through trees. Additionally, the bill expands the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council to include members representing small towns and low-income communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates funding to improve urban tree canopies, reduce disparities, and ensure proper planting/maintenance using climate science, directly advancing environmental protection and conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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