Legislation4 days ago
50
To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers.
HR8548Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA)
introduced
S350119th CongressWALLET
Wildfire Emergency Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
In Committee
Summary
Mobilizes public and private funding to carry out landscape-scale forest restoration and boost community wildfire resilience. The bill pairs a conservation-finance restoration framework with community resilience programs, weatherization updates, and workforce and grant support to reduce wildfire risk and strengthen local capacity.
Show full summary
- Restores public lands at scale and tests new financing. A Secretary of Agriculture-led framework and a capped pilot program use conservation finance agreements to fund large restoration projects and require monitoring and reporting.
- Helps communities and households harden buildings and energy systems. Weatherization rules add fire- and drought-resistant materials, raise the average per-home cost threshold to $13,000, and increase maximum assistance to $6,000. The bill also funds resilience projects like microgrids and critical-infrastructure upgrades.
- Builds a firefighting and stewardship workforce and funds local stewardship. A competitive workforce grant program supports apprenticeships and training. A National Community Capacity and Land Stewardship Grant program prioritizes disadvantaged communities and reserves at least 10% for Indian Tribes, with Congress authorizing $50.0 million for 2025–2029.
*Net effect: increases federal spending, including a $50.0 million authorization for 2025–2029, adding net costs to the federal budget.*
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Bigger weatherization help, new rules
If enacted, Weatherization Assistance could pay for more work per home. The average spending cap would rise to $13,000 and a referenced per-unit amount to $6,000, both adjusted for inflation. Owners getting weatherization would need to use fire- and drought-resistant materials and follow State wildfire and drought planning, which could raise upfront costs for owners.
Faster wildfire detection and public data
If enacted, the Agriculture and Interior Departments would speed up placing sensors, cameras, and other wildfire detectors in risk areas. They would expand satellite, remote sensing, and mobile data use and try to speed permitting for detection equipment. Nonconfidential detection data would be shared publicly when safe, and agencies would analyze suppression performance to improve response.
Grants to build microgrids for hospitals
If enacted, the Department of Energy would get $100 million to help critical facilities install microgrids, backup power, renewables, storage, and advanced grid controls. The program would provide grants, technical help, and info sharing. Up to 10% of funds could be used for administration.
New forestry workforce training grants
If enacted, a competitive grant program would fund internships, apprenticeships, college bridge programs, and other training for forestry and fire management jobs. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, labor groups, state agencies, community colleges, and universities. The program is authorized as "such sums as are necessary."
Pilot to finance forest restoration
If enacted, USDA could run a pilot to sign up to 20 conservation finance agreements on National Forest land. Total obligations would be capped at $250 million over the first 10 years and no single agreement could exceed $50 million. Projects must use debt financing repaid by project beneficiaries and generally require a 40% non-Federal cost share, with a larger federal reimbursement option for low-income community projects.
Grants for community land stewardship
If enacted, a new grant program would give community groups up to $50,000 per year for land stewardship on National Forests, grasslands, and nearby lands. The program could pay up to 100% of project costs. It is authorized $50 million for fiscal years 2025–2029 and must set aside at least 10% of funding for Indian Tribes. Administrative costs would be capped at 10%.
Western centers to train prescribed fire
If enacted, the Departments of Agriculture and Interior would set up one or more Western Prescribed Fire Centers in States fully west of the 100th meridian. The agencies must pick locations within one year of enactment. Centers would train people, share science, and connect with Tribes and local land managers.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Steve Daines
MT • R
Sponsored 1/30/2025
Jacky Rosen
NV • D
Sponsored 7/9/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in