Environment (Forestry)

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 4442: Save America’s Family Forests Act of 2026

The Save America's Family Forests Act of 2026 provides tax incentives to encourage landowners to replant trees after natural disasters. It increases the standard tax deduction for general reforestation projects from $10,000 to $30,000 and adds a new, separate deduction of up to $1 million for costs incurred to replant timber damaged by federally declared disasters. These financial benefits are designed to help families and businesses recover from events like wildfires or storms by allowing them to write off replanting expenses on their tax returns. The bill also includes rules to prevent abuse, such as requiring that any property benefiting from these deductions be held for at least ten years before being sold. Additionally, the law mandates that these dollar amounts be adjusted annually for inflation to maintain their value over time.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax deductions for reforestation, providing direct tax relief and financial incentives to landowners.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides tax incentives to encourage tree replanting after disasters, directly conserving natural resources and strengthening environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Natural Disasters

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passed · United States · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SRES 719: A resolution celebrating the 154th anniversary of Arbor Day.

This Senate resolution formally recognizes April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day to celebrate the 154th anniversary of the event. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic statement acknowledging the importance of tree planting and forest stewardship. It encourages all people in the United States to participate in Arbor Day activities and supports the ideals of maintaining healthy forests and green communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill symbolically recognizes Arbor Day to encourage tree planting and forest stewardship, aligning with environmental conservation goals.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Apr 28, 2026

HR 8538: Save America’s Family Forests Act of 2026

The Save America's Family Forests Act of 2026 provides tax incentives to encourage landowners to replant forests damaged by natural disasters. It increases the standard tax deduction for routine reforestation projects from $10,000 to $30,000 per property and adjusts these amounts annually for inflation. Additionally, the bill allows a special deduction of up to $1 million for expenses related to replanting trees destroyed by federally declared disasters, with specific rules to prevent double-dipping with other tax benefits. These financial benefits are designed to help taxpayers recover costs and promote forest regeneration without changing the underlying laws governing disaster relief or timber management.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax deductions for reforestation, providing tax relief and financial incentives to landowners.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides tax incentives to encourage forest replanting and protect natural resources from disaster damage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Natural Disasters

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4458: Caja del Rio Protection Act

The Caja del Rio Protection Act establishes two new protected areas in New Mexico: a Special Management Area within the Santa Fe National Forest and a National Conservation Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. These designations restrict new road construction, limit motorized vehicle use to designated routes, and withdraw the lands from mining, leasing, and other entry operations to preserve cultural, ecological, and traditional values. The bill mandates the creation of management plans developed through consultation with local governments and specific Native American tribes, while also allowing for potential land swaps between the federal government and the state. Additionally, the legislation protects tribal rights to conduct religious and cultural activities, including the gathering of plants and minerals, and ensures that sacred site information remains confidential.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes protected areas, restricts road construction, limits motorized use, and withdraws lands from mining to preserve ecological values.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill restricts new road construction and limits motorized vehicle use, directly opposing transportation expansion.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 8682: Accelerating Forest Management Act

The Accelerating Forest Management Act streamlines the environmental review process for salvage harvesting on Bureau of Land Management lands by categorically excluding certain actions from requiring an environmental assessment or impact statement. This change applies specifically to the removal of dead or dying trees caused by natural disturbances like fire or insects, provided the work stays within specific acreage limits and follows existing land use plans. The bill also permits the construction of limited new permanent roads, maintenance of existing roads, and the building of temporary roads for harvest operations, while mandating that operators disclose how they address environmental concerns such as erosion, soil compaction, and invasive species. Additionally, the legislation extends the funding period for the Forest Ecosystem Health and Recovery Fund from 2020 to 2033 to support these management efforts.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill weakens environmental protections by categorically excluding salvage harvesting from environmental reviews, effectively deregulating standards for forest management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House May 12, 2026

HR 8744: TREE Act

The TREE Act prohibits the import and sale in the U.S. of goods linked to deforestation, starting in 2029, and directly affects companies that trade or sell commodities like cattle, soy, palm oil, and wood. To enforce this ban, the bill requires importers to submit detailed due diligence statements proving their products are deforestation-free, while also mandating increased customs inspections for goods from countries categorized as high or moderate risk. The U.S. Trade Representative will annually assess and rank countries based on their deforestation rates and environmental laws, with higher-risk nations facing stricter scrutiny and potential trade restrictions. Additionally, the law establishes civil penalties for violations and directs half of the collected fines toward providing financial assistance to developing countries for forest management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentThe bill prohibits imports linked to deforestation, directly protecting natural resources and reducing environmental degradation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Feb 9, 2026

HR 7425: Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026

The Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026 designates approximately 400,000 acres of public land in Colorado as new wilderness areas and expands existing ones, primarily managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. These designations permanently protect the land from roads, motorized vehicles, and most commercial development, while allowing activities like hiking, fishing, and hunting. The bill also establishes specific rules for water rights, prohibiting new irrigation facilities in the new wilderness areas while maintaining access to existing water infrastructure, and clarifies that military helicopter overflights and certain running events may continue under specific conditions.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyDesignating land as wilderness restricts commercial development and infrastructure, which limits potential energy production and utility expansion on public lands.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill designates land as wilderness to permanently protect it from roads, motorized vehicles, and commercial development, directly conserving natural resources.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill permanently protects land from roads and motorized vehicles, directly restricting transportation infrastructure and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Aug 27, 2026

HR 8454: To provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State of California, and for other purposes.

This bill transfers administrative control of about 330 acres of federal land in Tuolumne County, California, between two agencies. Approximately 160 acres currently managed by the Forest Service will be moved to the National Park Service to become part of Yosemite National Park, while about 170 acres currently managed by the National Park Service will be transferred to the Forest Service to become part of Stanislaus National Forest. The legislation includes provisions for minor boundary adjustments, requires notification about any hazardous substances on the land, and ensures that cleanup responsibilities remain with the original agency that held jurisdiction before the transfer. Existing rights, permits, and authorizations on the land remain valid, though the new managing agency will be responsible for administering them going forward.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill transfers land to National Park Service for conservation, strengthening environmental protection and resource management.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HRES 1308: 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. The bill directly affects communities across the United States, including federal, state, local, and Tribal governments, as well as nongovernmental organizations. It encourages educational initiatives and community programming focused on preventative actions like home hardening, vegetation management, evacuation planning, and reducing human-caused ignitions. The measure aims to increase knowledge of lifesaving practices and support resources that help residents prepare for wildfire hazards and mitigate their impact.

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

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HRES 1291: Expressing support for the recognition of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as Wildfire Preparedness Week, the national event educating the public on fire safety and preparedness, and supporting the goals of a Wildfire Preparedness Week.

H.Res. 1291 is a non-binding resolution that formally recognizes May 3 through May 9, 2026, as Wildfire Preparedness Week. The bill aims to raise public awareness about wildfire risks and promote educational initiatives regarding fire safety and evacuation planning. It highlights the dangers of smoke exposure for both the general public and firefighters while noting that human activity causes the majority of wildland fires. This measure does not change laws or allocate funding, but rather expresses the House of Representatives' support for these preparedness goals.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes wildfire preparedness and safety, which helps protect natural resources and reduce environmental damage from fires.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

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