Environment (Natural Disasters) in United States

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 6, 2025

S 441: A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to develop a plan to reorganize Federal wildland fire response, and for other purposes.

This bill directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to create a new "National Wildland Firefighting Service" within the Department of the Interior, consolidating federal wildfire response efforts currently split between their agencies. The plan must include a budget, qualifications for the Director (to be appointed by the President with Senate approval), and details on resources needed for the consolidation. The Secretaries must submit this plan to specific congressional committees within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The bill directly affects federal wildfire management programs under the USDA and Interior Departments, aiming to streamline response operations through structural reorganization.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

in committee · United States · House Dec 5, 2025

HR 5782: Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025

The Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025 aims to improve wildfire management across western U.S. federal lands by enhancing preparation, detection, suppression, and recovery efforts. The bill requires federal agencies to improve transparency around wildfire funding, establish reimbursement for military training-related wildfires, and create strategic fire management plans for at-risk areas. It authorizes research on drone technology for firefighting, funding for local firefighter training, and establishes a new account for long-term burned area rehabilitation. The act directly affects federal land management agencies, state and local fire departments, and communities in wildfire-prone areas across the western United States. Key provisions include improved detection technology, post-fire recovery resources, and incentives for innovative solutions to invasive species problems following wildfires.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands Emerging Technology

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 91: Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025

The Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025 aims to improve wildfire management across western U.S. landscapes by focusing on preparation, detection, suppression, and post-fire recovery. The bill requires federal land managers to create strategic fire management plans for high-risk areas, establish transparent reporting on firefighting costs, and reimburse states for wildfire suppression caused by military training. It promotes new technology through provisions for wildfire detection equipment, slip-on tanker units, and research on unmanned aircraft systems, while also creating a dedicated Long-Term Burned Area Rehabilitation account for ecosystem restoration. These provisions primarily affect federal agencies (Interior and Agriculture Departments), state and local fire departments, and communities in wildfire-prone regions. The bill includes specific reporting requirements and funding mechanisms to support these new approaches to wildfire management.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 1655: Wildfire Communications Resiliency Act

The Wildfire Communications Resiliency Act exempts specific communication infrastructure projects in wildfire-affected areas from standard environmental and historic preservation reviews. It applies to projects replacing or improving damaged facilities within five years of a federal, state, or tribal declaration of a wildfire emergency or disaster. The bill removes the need for these projects to undergo reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). This directly benefits local governments, tribal authorities, and communication providers working to restore connectivity after wildfires.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Natural Disasters Broadband Access Telecommunications

in committee · United States · House Nov 20, 2025

HR 6129: Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charging Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Energy to create a National Electric Vehicle Bidirectional Charging Roadmap within 12 months, outlining strategies, timelines, and cost estimates for expanding bidirectional charging technology. It mandates that all new light-duty electric vehicles and school buses manufactured starting in 2029 must support bidirectional charging (sending power back to the grid or home), with limited exemptions. The bill also directs FEMA to require states and localities to include bidirectional charging capabilities in disaster recovery plans. These provisions directly affect EV manufacturers, federal agencies, and local governments, aiming to standardize technology and integrate EVs into grid resilience efforts.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Resilience Natural Disasters Electric Vehicles Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Feb 14, 2025

HR 1393: Wildfire Response Improvement Act

This bill requires FEMA to update its wildfire response policies within one year of enactment. It expands eligibility for fire management assistance to include emergency stabilization efforts regardless of incident timing, updates FEMA's public assistance guide to address wildfire-specific recovery challenges (like debris removal and water toxicity), and mandates a review of cost-effectiveness criteria for wildfire mitigation projects. The review will establish standardized benefits for defensible space projects, prioritize nature-based infrastructure, and consider smoke impacts and water infrastructure protection. These changes directly affect wildfire-impacted communities and FEMA's administration of federal disaster aid under the Stafford Act.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management Public Safety

in committee · United States · Senate May 1, 2025

S 1564: Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act

S 1564, the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act, exempts ecosystem restoration projects from standard flood insurance map change fees and streamlines approvals for projects that recover or enhance floodplain functions. It allows communities to permit certain restoration projects within regulatory floodways if they meet specific criteria: the project won't increase base flood elevations by more than 1 foot, won't harm critical infrastructure, and includes a post-project analysis submitted within 180 days. The bill directly affects communities, developers, and landowners undertaking floodplain restoration, as it modifies FEMA's processes for approving such projects under the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must issue implementing guidance within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Aug 1, 2025

HR 4861: Working Waterfront Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act

The Working Waterfront Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act creates a 30% tax credit for businesses that invest in qualifying disaster mitigation projects on "working waterfront" property, such as commercial fishing facilities or boatyards. The credit covers up to $300,000 per year (adjusted for inflation after 2026) for projects designed to prevent flood, erosion, or storm damage using methods like structural elevation, floodproofing, or shoreline stabilization. To qualify, property must be used for water-dependent activities (e.g., commercial fishing or boating) with average annual gross receipts under $47 million and meet specific building code requirements for disaster resilience. The credit is limited to 10 years per business and applies to projects placed in service after 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 13, 2025

S 1019: Rural Water System Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act

This bill creates a federal grant program to help rural water and wastewater systems prepare for and respond to disasters. It authorizes $20 million annually (2025-2029) for grants to qualified nonprofit organizations with disaster response experience, enabling them to provide onsite support, develop emergency plans, improve system resilience, and conduct assessments. The program specifically targets disadvantaged communities lacking resources for water system safety and covers activities like emergency repairs, vulnerability assessments, and coordination with agencies like FEMA. Eligible nonprofits must have licensed personnel or relevant expertise and cannot duplicate other federal funding.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management Rural Communities

passed · United States · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 306: Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025

The Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025 establishes a coordinated fire weather services program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve wildfire prediction, response, and community resilience. The program will develop advanced weather models, enhance data collection through technologies like uncrewed systems, and provide impact-based decision support services to emergency responders and communities. It specifically prioritizes improving access to these services for remote, rural, and isolated communities where residents often serve as first responders to wildfires. The bill authorizes $15 million for fiscal year 2026, increasing to $50 million by 2030, to fund these activities and support coordination with federal, state, tribal, and local partners.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Data Privacy

All environment bills