Environment (Forestry)

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 5087: Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026

The Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026 updates the Clean Air Act to broaden the definition of renewable biomass eligible for carbon credits. It specifically includes wood and paper residuals from manufacturing, as well as trees and shrubs from certified non-Federal lands and public forests used for fuel reduction or ecological restoration. The bill also allows vegetation cleared from defensible space around buildings and wildfire risk reduction projects in the wildland-urban interface to be counted. These changes require specific certifications from landowners or federal agencies to verify that the materials come from sustainable sources and are not suitable for use as sawlogs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands renewable biomass eligibility for carbon credits, promoting renewable energy and reducing fossil fuel dependence.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands renewable biomass for carbon credits and funds wildfire risk reduction, directly advancing environmental protection and climate goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Jul 30, 2026

HR 10000: Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response Act

The Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response Act creates a competitive grant program administered by the U.S. Forest Service to help states, local governments, tribes, and utilities address mountain pine beetle outbreaks. Eligible recipients can receive funding to remove infested trees, process wood, thin forests to reduce fire risk, plant new trees, and stabilize watersheds on National Forest System lands. The law prioritizes projects that protect municipal water supplies, critical infrastructure, and communities located near forests, ensuring that grant funds are distributed quickly to support these emergency restoration efforts.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill funds utility infrastructure protection and forest management to prevent wildfires that threaten energy grids and water supplies.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds removal of infested trees, forest thinning, and watershed stabilization to protect natural resources and reduce fire risk.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

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in committee · United States · House Jul 30, 2026

HR 10001: Wildfire Responder Protection Act

The Wildfire Responder Protection Act updates federal regulations to expand the list of wildfire workers who receive specific employment protections. By amending an existing statute, the bill adds roles such as fuels specialists, burn bosses, and prescribed fire crew members to the categories of employees covered under these rules. It also broadens the scope of protected activities to include planned ignition and fuels reduction efforts alongside traditional fire suppression. These changes ensure that a wider range of personnel engaged in wildfire management receive the same legal safeguards as those currently protected.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protection by expanding legal protections for wildfire responders engaged in fuels reduction and prescribed fire, which are critical conservation and emission-reduction strategies.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands employment protections and safety rules for wildfire workers, directly strengthening labor standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Jun 29, 2026

HR 9534: Wildfire Response Modernization Act

The Wildfire Response Modernization Act directs the Secretary of the Air Force to purchase commercial satellite data to help the Department of Defense and Northern Command support wildfire management efforts. This data will be used to protect military installations and provide emergency assistance to state, local, and Tribal governments during fire events. Additionally, the bill allows the government to share this purchased data directly with local authorities to aid their firefighting operations. The funding for these purchases depends on the availability of future appropriations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill aids wildfire management and protects natural resources by funding satellite data for emergency response.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

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in committee · United States · House Jul 30, 2026

HR 9998: Wildfire Research Coordination Act of 2026

The Wildfire Research Coordination Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of Defense to create a formal agreement with the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to coordinate wildfire research efforts. This agreement, to be established within 180 days, will align specific research priorities like fire modeling and post-fire recovery across the Department of Defense, the Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of Defense submit a report to Congress within one year detailing the steps taken to implement this new coordination framework.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill coordinates wildfire research to improve fire modeling and post-fire recovery, directly aiding environmental protection and natural resource conservation.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 5045: Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026

The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026 amends the Clean Air Act to officially recognize prescribed fires and cultural burning as "exceptional events," meaning air quality issues caused by these deliberate, managed burns will no longer be counted as violations of pollution standards. The bill requires the EPA to update its regulations within a year to clarify how these fires are defined and to streamline the process for states to petition for exemptions when wildfires or prescribed fires impact air quality. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new "Smoke Ready Communities" grant program that provides up to 90 percent federal funding to states, tribes, and local entities to help communities prepare for and mitigate wildfire smoke hazards in public buildings like schools.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes prescribed fires and cultural burning, which are often used to maintain forest health and reduce wildfire risks, indirectly supporting sustainable land management and renewable energy infrastructure resilience.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill recognizes prescribed fires as exceptional events to prevent air quality violations, thereby protecting the environment from stricter pollution standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry Natural Disasters

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4887: Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Act of 2026

The Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Act of 2026 creates a competitive grant program to help organizations transport materials removed during wildfire risk reduction projects on National Forest System lands. Eligible recipients include for-profit companies, nonprofits, state and local governments, Indian Tribes, and universities, with funding available from fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Grants can cover costs for transporting wood and biomass, maintaining transport equipment, and workforce training, but cannot be used for construction or buying timber. The program prioritizes projects in high-risk wildfire areas and offers higher funding percentages to Indian Tribes compared to other applicants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a competitive grant program to fund hazardous fuels transportation, directly increasing government spending for wildfire risk reduction.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds wildfire risk reduction projects and biomass transport, directly aiding forest conservation and reducing environmental hazards.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates a grant program to fund hazardous materials transportation for wildfire risk reduction, directly supporting transportation infrastructure and logistics.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 17, 2026

S 4812: FIRE SMART Act of 2026

The FIRE SMART Act of 2026 directs the Environmental Protection Agency to update its regulations regarding rural water infrastructure projects. Specifically, the bill requires the EPA to define "communities at high risk from fire or wildfire" and to prioritize funding for water system improvements that aid in fire suppression within these areas. Additionally, the legislation mandates that projects benefiting both drinking water and fire suppression receive priority if the community has adopted a wildfire protection plan or taken steps to reduce private property fire risks. These regulatory changes aim to ensure that federal funding for rural water systems explicitly supports wildfire prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs EPA to prioritize funding for water infrastructure aiding fire suppression, enhancing environmental protection and resource conservation in high-risk areas.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Jun 24, 2026

HR 9250: Great American Outdoors Act 250

This bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for federal land maintenance using recreation fees and energy income, directly strengthening fiscal management for public services.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds infrastructure repair on federal lands, directly supporting conservation and environmental protection.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds repair of critical infrastructure including roads and trails managed by federal agencies, directly advancing transportation maintenance.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 10, 2026

S 4732: Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act of 2026

This bill authorizes the President to declare a smoke emergency in states facing significant air quality drops due to wildfire smoke, either upon a request from a state governor or based on the President's own determination. Once declared, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies can provide assistance such as grants, equipment, and personnel to help communities set up smoke shelters, air purifiers, and monitoring sites. Additionally, the Small Business Administration would be able to offer grants to small businesses that lose significant revenue because of the smoke. The legislation also adjusts federal budget rules to ensure that funds designated for this specific type of emergency assistance are not subject to standard deficit reduction triggers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes federal aid to mitigate wildfire smoke impacts, protecting public health and air quality through emergency resources.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides federal resources for smoke shelters and air purifiers, directly protecting public health and access to safe environments during wildfires.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

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