Legis Daily

Fix Our Forests Act

USA119th CongressS-1462| Senate 
| Updated: 10/27/2025
John R. Curtis

John R. Curtis

Republican Senator

Utah

Cosponsors (3)
Alex Padilla (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Tim Sheehy (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Fix Our Forests Act" seeks to significantly improve forest management activities, reduce wildfire risks, and restore resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested lands across National Forest System, Bureau of Land Management, and Tribal areas. The legislation introduces a comprehensive approach to address the escalating threat of wildfires, focusing on proactive measures, community protection, and enhanced operational capabilities. Title I, "Landscape-Scale Restoration," establishes the designation of fireshed management areas based on wildfire exposure and risk to communities and watersheds. It mandates the creation of a Wildfire Intelligence Center to provide real-time data, predictive services, and decision support for all phases of fire management, alongside a publicly accessible Fireshed Registry detailing wildfire exposure and management activities. This title also promotes shared stewardship agreements with states and Tribes and requires fireshed assessments to identify risks and management projects. Subtitle B expands collaborative tools by modifying Good Neighbor Agreements to include more entities and revenue uses, and extends the term limits for stewardship end result contracting . It establishes fireshed management project strike teams to accelerate environmental reviews and project implementation. The bill also enhances programs like the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership and the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, while promoting the use of grazing for wildfire risk reduction and strengthening the Water Source Protection Program. Subtitle C introduces litigation reform measures, placing limitations on judicial review for fireshed management projects, including specific criteria for issuing injunctions and procedures for remanding cases. It also clarifies that reinitiating consultation under the Endangered Species Act is not required for forest plans under certain circumstances, aiming to streamline project approvals. Subtitle D focuses on prescribed fire , defining eligible activities and establishing policies to facilitate its safe and responsible use. It addresses human resources by adjusting training requirements for supervisory roles and enhancing interoperability between federal and non-federal practitioners. The bill also outlines liability protections for prescribed fire managers and coordinates with air quality agencies to streamline environmental reviews related to smoke management. Title II, "Protecting Communities in Wildland-Urban Interface," establishes a Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program for interagency coordination, research, and technical assistance. This program includes a unified portal and application for various federal grants related to community wildfire defense. It also creates a Community Wildfire Defense Research Program to test and advance innovative designs for wildfire-resistant structures and communities, including a competition for innovative designs. This title also improves vegetation management around electric transmission and distribution facility rights-of-way, including provisions for hazard tree removal and review processes for management plans. It creates a categorical exclusion for high-priority hazard trees to expedite their removal. Furthermore, the bill mandates a "Seeds of Success strategy" to enhance the domestic supply chain of native seeds for reforestation and establishes an Interior Reforestation Program for priority lands. Title III, "Transparency, Technology, and Partnerships," promotes biochar innovations through demonstration projects and research grants, aiming to convert excess biomass into biochar for forest health and economic benefits. It requires more accurate hazardous fuels reduction reports and establishes a public-private wildfire technology deployment and demonstration partnership to test new prevention, detection, and mitigation technologies. The bill also includes provisions for keeping forest plans current and monitored, evaluating container aerial firefighting systems, and studying pine beetle infestations. Subtitle B of Title III focuses on White Oak Resilience , establishing a White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition and pilot projects within the Forest Service and Department of the Interior to restore white oak trees. It also creates a White Oak and Upland Oak Habitat Regeneration Program and supports research into white oak genetics and regeneration methods. Finally, Title IV establishes a Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance Program to provide support to the next-of-kin of firefighters and wildland fire support personnel killed or critically injured in the line of duty.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-471
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology. Hearings held.
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
May 6, 2025
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-74.
May 6, 2025
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held.
Oct 21, 2025
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Oct 27, 2025
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Oct 27, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 212.
  • March 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-471
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology. Hearings held.


  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • May 6, 2025
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-74.


  • May 6, 2025
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held.


  • October 21, 2025
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • October 27, 2025
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • October 27, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 212.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Advanced technology and technological innovationsAdvisory bodiesAir qualityCommunity life and organizationComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of the InteriorEcologyEmergency planning and evacuationEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental technologyExecutive agency funding and structureFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelForests, forestry, treesGeography and mappingGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesHousing and community development fundingIntergovernmental relationsJudicial review and appealsLand use and conservationLicensing and registrationsLivestockPublic contracts and procurementPublic-private cooperationResearch and developmentScientific communicationWatershedsWater use and supplyWildlife conservation and habitat protection

Fix Our Forests Act

USA119th CongressS-1462| Senate 
| Updated: 10/27/2025
The "Fix Our Forests Act" seeks to significantly improve forest management activities, reduce wildfire risks, and restore resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested lands across National Forest System, Bureau of Land Management, and Tribal areas. The legislation introduces a comprehensive approach to address the escalating threat of wildfires, focusing on proactive measures, community protection, and enhanced operational capabilities. Title I, "Landscape-Scale Restoration," establishes the designation of fireshed management areas based on wildfire exposure and risk to communities and watersheds. It mandates the creation of a Wildfire Intelligence Center to provide real-time data, predictive services, and decision support for all phases of fire management, alongside a publicly accessible Fireshed Registry detailing wildfire exposure and management activities. This title also promotes shared stewardship agreements with states and Tribes and requires fireshed assessments to identify risks and management projects. Subtitle B expands collaborative tools by modifying Good Neighbor Agreements to include more entities and revenue uses, and extends the term limits for stewardship end result contracting . It establishes fireshed management project strike teams to accelerate environmental reviews and project implementation. The bill also enhances programs like the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership and the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, while promoting the use of grazing for wildfire risk reduction and strengthening the Water Source Protection Program. Subtitle C introduces litigation reform measures, placing limitations on judicial review for fireshed management projects, including specific criteria for issuing injunctions and procedures for remanding cases. It also clarifies that reinitiating consultation under the Endangered Species Act is not required for forest plans under certain circumstances, aiming to streamline project approvals. Subtitle D focuses on prescribed fire , defining eligible activities and establishing policies to facilitate its safe and responsible use. It addresses human resources by adjusting training requirements for supervisory roles and enhancing interoperability between federal and non-federal practitioners. The bill also outlines liability protections for prescribed fire managers and coordinates with air quality agencies to streamline environmental reviews related to smoke management. Title II, "Protecting Communities in Wildland-Urban Interface," establishes a Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program for interagency coordination, research, and technical assistance. This program includes a unified portal and application for various federal grants related to community wildfire defense. It also creates a Community Wildfire Defense Research Program to test and advance innovative designs for wildfire-resistant structures and communities, including a competition for innovative designs. This title also improves vegetation management around electric transmission and distribution facility rights-of-way, including provisions for hazard tree removal and review processes for management plans. It creates a categorical exclusion for high-priority hazard trees to expedite their removal. Furthermore, the bill mandates a "Seeds of Success strategy" to enhance the domestic supply chain of native seeds for reforestation and establishes an Interior Reforestation Program for priority lands. Title III, "Transparency, Technology, and Partnerships," promotes biochar innovations through demonstration projects and research grants, aiming to convert excess biomass into biochar for forest health and economic benefits. It requires more accurate hazardous fuels reduction reports and establishes a public-private wildfire technology deployment and demonstration partnership to test new prevention, detection, and mitigation technologies. The bill also includes provisions for keeping forest plans current and monitored, evaluating container aerial firefighting systems, and studying pine beetle infestations. Subtitle B of Title III focuses on White Oak Resilience , establishing a White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition and pilot projects within the Forest Service and Department of the Interior to restore white oak trees. It also creates a White Oak and Upland Oak Habitat Regeneration Program and supports research into white oak genetics and regeneration methods. Finally, Title IV establishes a Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance Program to provide support to the next-of-kin of firefighters and wildland fire support personnel killed or critically injured in the line of duty.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 6, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-471
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology. Hearings held.
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
May 6, 2025
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-74.
May 6, 2025
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held.
Oct 21, 2025
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Oct 27, 2025
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Oct 27, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 212.
  • March 6, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-471
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology. Hearings held.


  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • May 6, 2025
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-74.


  • May 6, 2025
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held.


  • October 21, 2025
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • October 27, 2025
    Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • October 27, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 212.
John R. Curtis

John R. Curtis

Republican Senator

Utah

Cosponsors (3)
Alex Padilla (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Tim Sheehy (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advanced technology and technological innovationsAdvisory bodiesAir qualityCommunity life and organizationComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of the InteriorEcologyEmergency planning and evacuationEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental technologyExecutive agency funding and structureFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelForests, forestry, treesGeography and mappingGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesHousing and community development fundingIntergovernmental relationsJudicial review and appealsLand use and conservationLicensing and registrationsLivestockPublic contracts and procurementPublic-private cooperationResearch and developmentScientific communicationWatershedsWater use and supplyWildlife conservation and habitat protection