All Roll Calls
Yes: 279 • No: 141
119-hr471119th CongressWALLET
Fix Our Forests Act
Sponsored By: Representative Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]
Passed House
Summary
Speeds hazardous fuels reduction and wildfire resilience by creating designated fireshed areas, a joint Fireshed Center, and new authorities that would streamline planning, data sharing, and on-the-ground restoration across federal, Tribal, state, local, private, and nonprofit lands.
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- Communities and households: At-risk communities would get coordinated mapping, smoke forecasting, and a unified grant application to make funding for home hardening and local projects easier to access.
- Tribal governments and state/local partners: Tribes or Governors could trigger shared‑stewardship agreements within 90 days to join cross‑boundary planning and fireshed assessments that prioritize tribal water supplies and community risk.
- Forest managers, utilities, and responders: Agencies would gain faster project authorities including NEPA exemptions for designated firesheds, higher Healthy Forests Restoration Act project thresholds (10,000 acres), a 150‑foot hazard‑tree clearance for power lines, expanded contracting tools, and intra‑agency strike teams to speed environmental reviews and implementation.
Note: The sources set many deadlines, reporting rules, pilot programs, and several seven‑year sunsets but do not provide a specific federal cost estimate.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Bigger small contracts and cancellation pay
If enacted, the simplified contracting limit for local forest work would jump from $10,000 to $55,000. Starting January 1, 2027, that $55,000 would be adjusted each year for inflation (CPI‑U). The agency would start seeking bids for fireshed work 30 days after enactment. For long‑term stewardship deals over 5 years made after enactment, if the agency cancels, the contractor would get 10% of the contract amount.
More help for firefighter families
If enacted, Interior would set up a casualty assistance program within 6 months for wildland firefighters and support staff. Families would get case managers, counseling, a free portal listing benefits, and travel reimbursements for death or hospital visits. The bill would set clear notification and training rules for casualty officers within 6 months. It would also keep current line‑of‑duty death benefits in place and unchanged.
More grazing options to cut wildfire risk
If passed, the Forest Service would craft a plan to use grazing to lower wildfire risk. It would speed reviews that let permit‑holders graze on vacant allotments when droughts, fires, or disasters disrupt normal use. The plan would expand targeted grazing and temporary permits to reduce fuels and invasive grasses, and support post‑fire recovery where appropriate.
One wildfire grant portal and tech pilots
If passed, agencies would launch a single portal within 30 days to apply for many federal wildfire grants with one simpler form. The program would offer technical help to applicants and run for 7 years. Within 1 year, agencies would also start pilots to test new wildfire tech and report yearly. A new prize would reward wildfire‑resistant designs if Congress provides money.
Plan to grow seeds and nurseries
If enacted, the Forest Service would create a national plan within 1 year to boost tree nursery capacity and seedling supply. Agencies would also deliver a 2‑year Seeds of Success strategy to build the domestic seed supply chain. The plan would focus on post‑fire reseeding, regional native plant programs, more storage and cleaning capacity, and faster permits to collect seed on BLM lands.
Reforestation support and white oak recovery
If passed, Interior would start a program within 1 year to support priority reforestation, make annual project lists, and report to Congress. Agencies would assess white oak on federal lands within 90 days, launch pilot projects, and create a voluntary grant program within 180 days, subject to funding. USDA could partner with Tribes and schools to research white oak genetics, seed banks, and better regeneration. Most of these authorities would end 7 years after enactment.
Updated forest and watershed project rules
If enacted, the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program would add new project types, require standard monitoring, cap awards at four per region per year, and run through 2030. The water source program would clearly define adjacent land, require written owner consent for work on adjacent non‑federal land, and favor projects that protect water supply and quality and reduce drought, fire, and flood risks.
New fireshed maps and public tracker
This bill would set up national fireshed areas to guide wildfire work, with maps that last 5 years and update every 5 years. If a Governor or Tribe asks in writing, the agency would sign a shared stewardship deal within 90 days to reduce risk across borders. Agencies would publish a public registry with maps and project status. They would also report each year on acres treated for hazardous fuels, including cost per acre and risk levels, and start standardized tracking within 90 days. Some steps would streamline reviews and limit court delays for covered actions.
Faster forest projects and more partners
If enacted, more forest projects could use streamlined environmental reviews and larger project limits, with some thresholds raised to 10,000 acres. More partners, including Tribes and special districts, could work with agencies, and some new permanent roads could be allowed if approved. Agencies would also set payment timeline rules within 1 year for fire cost‑share deals to speed reimbursements. These steps could speed work, but the added road authority and broader exclusions may raise local concerns.
Faster utility line clearing and permits
If passed, utilities could clear vegetation up to 150 feet near lines on federal land under approved plans, with no new permanent roads and temporary roads removed within 3 years. Utilities with permits could remove trees without a separate timber sale; if they sell the wood, net proceeds would go to the agency. A plan without changes would be automatically approved after 120 days; if changed, the agency would set a timeline that ends by day 165 and list fixes. Some areas, like Wilderness, would remain excluded from these faster steps.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]
AR • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]
WI • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]
MN • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10]
GA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1]
MT • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]
SD • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2]
UT • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
AK • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5]
CO • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
ME • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
MS • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]
CO • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
NV • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
CA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6]
KY • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5]
MD • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
CO • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13]
PA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]
CA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5]
MI • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]
CA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]
AZ • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]
CO • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5]
CA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]
CA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]
CA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]
WY • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]
SC • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]
NV • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]
NC • R
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]
OR • R
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38]
TX • R
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8]
WI • R
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Rep. Kiley, Kevin [I-CA-3]
CA • I
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]
VA • R
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]
WA • R
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]
CA • R
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8]
IN • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]
UT • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]
AR • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]
TX • R
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 1/23/2025
On Passage
Yes: 279 • No: 141