Environment (Forestry)

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 6, 2025

S 443: Fire Management Assistance Grants for Tribal Governments Act

This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act to allow Indian tribal governments to directly request fire management assistance grants from FEMA for wildfires, rather than requiring state authorization. It specifically adds tribal governments as eligible recipients in the law and permits their chief executives to submit requests directly to FEMA, bypassing state governors. The bill also requires the President to issue new regulations within one year, clarifying that tribal governments can receive assistance either directly or through state-authorized requests, while preserving existing eligibility pathways. This change directly affects tribal governments facing wildfire disasters by streamlining access to federal disaster aid.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens fire management assistance for tribal governments, directly supporting wildfire prevention and natural resource conservation through enhanced federal funding mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management Tribal Nations

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 1981: Strategic Grazing to Reduce Risk of Wildfire Act

This bill requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to develop a strategy within 18 months for using livestock grazing to reduce wildfire risks on federal lands. The strategy must include targeted grazing in high-risk areas (like the wildland-urban interface), controlling invasive grasses such as cheatgrass, and using technologies like virtual fencing to adjust grazing placement. It affects federal land managers, ranchers with grazing permits, and communities in fire-prone regions by integrating grazing into wildfire management plans. The bill does not change existing grazing programs but adds specific provisions for risk reduction during droughts, wildfires, or post-fire recovery. It mandates consultation with states, tribes, firefighting agencies, and local stakeholders to coordinate this approach.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes wildfire risk reduction through strategic grazing, which helps control invasive species and protects natural resources on federal lands.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 336: Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025

This bill excludes certain state-funded payments for disaster-resistant property improvements from taxable income. Homeowners who receive payments from state programs to make upgrades (like reinforcing roofs against windstorms or elevating homes to reduce flood damage) will not have those amounts counted as taxable income. The law specifically covers payments for "qualified catastrophe mitigation payments" made to reduce damage from windstorms, earthquakes, floods, or wildfires. It applies to payments received under state-established programs, including those managed by state insurance agencies or entities ensuring property insurance markets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes disaster mitigation payments from taxable income, providing direct tax relief for homeowners on property improvements, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes disaster-resistant property improvements that reduce damage from natural disasters, indirectly supporting environmental resilience and climate adaptation efforts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Coastal & Flood Protection Forestry Natural Disasters

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 4, 2025

HR 948: SAFE HOME Act

The SAFE HOME Act creates a refundable tax credit allowing homeowners to claim 25% of qualified wildfire mitigation costs, up to $25,000 annually. It directly affects primary homeowners in wildfire-prone areas - defined as locations with recent federal wildfire disaster declarations, FEMA hazard mitigation assistance, or designated "community disaster resilience zones." Qualifying expenses include fire-resistant roofing, ignition-resistant construction upgrades, vegetation clearing, and smoke prevention systems, but exclude government-funded projects. The credit phases out for taxpayers earning over $200,000 in adjusted gross income and expires after 2032.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRefundable tax credit reduces homeowner tax burden for wildfire mitigation, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income households in designated zones.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides tax credits for wildfire mitigation, promoting vegetation clearing and fire-resistant construction that protects natural resources and reduces environmental damage from wildfires.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Forestry

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 26, 2025

HR 4194: Limiting Liability for Critical Infrastructure Manufacturers Act

HR 4194 would shield manufacturers of critical infrastructure equipment from lawsuits related to wildfires caused by their products, unless they intentionally caused harm through willful misconduct. This law applies to companies defined as critical infrastructure manufacturers under existing federal law (per the Cyber Incident Reporting Act of 2022). It creates legal immunity for these manufacturers against both federal and state lawsuits regarding wildfire-related losses, but requires proof of intentional wrongdoing to override the protection. The bill directly affects companies producing essential infrastructure equipment like power grid components and communication systems.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill shields manufacturers from wildfire liability lawsuits, potentially reducing accountability for environmental damage from critical infrastructure products.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

Track

in committee · United States · House Mar 28, 2025

HR 1923: Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act of 2025

HR 1923, the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act of 2025, establishes training programs for wildfire professionals and improves retirement benefits for firefighters. It creates a National Smoke Monitoring and Alert System to protect public health during wildfire events and requires payment for wildfire recovery programs within 90 days of application approval. These provisions directly affect federal firefighters, wildfire response organizations, and communities in wildfire-prone areas. The bill also includes mechanisms for workforce development, casualty assistance, and data sharing to enhance wildfire management and public safety.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes wildfire safety systems, smoke monitoring, and recovery programs that protect natural resources and public health from environmental hazards.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentImproves retirement benefits for firefighters (direct worker benefit) and establishes training programs for wildfire professionals (enhancing workplace safety and skills).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Workforce Development Tags Public Safety

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 18, 2025

S 2901: Safer Emergency and Evacuation Routes Response Act of 2025

S 2901 creates a voluntary pilot program for states to link wildfire hazard alerts from the National Weather Service with local traffic management systems. This would automatically send real-time updates about road closures and evacuation routes to drivers during wildfires, using existing technology without requiring new systems or centralized infrastructure. The program, funded through current transportation research budgets, must be evaluated after two years and explicitly states the federal government cannot direct roadway closure decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill improves wildfire response and evacuation safety, indirectly supporting environmental protection by reducing disaster impacts and enabling better natural resource management during emergencies.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnhances transportation safety by integrating wildfire alerts with traffic systems for real-time evacuation route updates, using existing infrastructure without new funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Roads & Highways

Track

in committee · United States · House Mar 7, 2025

HR 956: Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025

HR 956, the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025, updates the 1996 Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act to improve how the Department of Defense sells aircraft and parts for wildfire fighting. It specifically adds "water" to the list of materials usable for suppression (alongside fire retardant) and clarifies that sold aircraft can only be used for wildfire suppression services, not other purposes. The bill extends the authorization period for these sales from October 1, 2025, to October 1, 2035. This directly affects the Department of Defense, which manages the sales, and wildfire suppression agencies that would use the aircraft and equipment. The changes aim to streamline access to aerial firefighting resources while ensuring they are used solely for wildfire response.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enhances wildfire suppression capabilities by updating aircraft transfer laws and adding water as a suppression material, directly supporting environmental protection through improved wildfire management.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

Track

in committee · United States · House Oct 3, 2025

HR 501: Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2025

This bill creates a 3-year pilot program (2025-2028) using up to 10% of existing disaster relief funds to help low-income homeowners in disaster-prone areas make resilience upgrades to their homes. It funds specific retrofits like floodproofing, seismic upgrades, wildfire mitigation, and hurricane-resistant roofing to reduce damage from natural disasters. The program requires states to prioritize financially needy homeowners and mandates a detailed report by 2029 on outcomes, including homes retrofitted, costs, and avoided disaster costs. It applies only to funds appropriated after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds disaster resilience upgrades like floodproofing and wildfire mitigation, reducing environmental damage from natural disasters and protecting communities.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds resilience upgrades (floodproofing, seismic, etc.) for low-income homeowners in disaster areas, prioritizing financially needy homeowners. This directly advances housing stability and safety for vulnerable residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Building Codes Tags Emergency Management

Track

passed · United States · Senate Jun 16, 2025

SRES 247: A resolution designating May 2025 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month".

SRES 247 designates May 2025 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month" to raise awareness about wildfire risks across the United States. The resolution highlights increasing wildfire frequency, scale, and human causes (85% of wildland fires), while emphasizing preventative measures like fire-resistant construction, community planning, evacuation readiness, vegetation management, and reducing human ignitions. It encourages federal, state, local, tribal, and community efforts to promote preparedness through education and resources. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to foster nationwide awareness and adoption of proven fire mitigation practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes wildfire preparedness, reduces human-caused fires (85% of wildland fires), and encourages vegetation management and community planning to protect natural resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

Track