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119-s-2038119th Congress

Wildfire Coordination Act

Sponsored By: Senator Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

Introduced

Summary

Create a permanent Wildfire Science and Technology Advisory Board to turn federal wildfire research into practical operations and coordinate across agencies, researchers, and practitioners. It would focus on translating research into tools, setting priorities, and sharing knowledge with frontline users.

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  • Researchers would gain a clearer path to move studies into field tools through criteria that prioritize projects and by partnering with private sector and federally funded research centers. Non-Federal members may include up to 18 people serving two-year terms.
  • Federal agencies and practitioners would be directly connected by a board that includes leaders from Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, FEMA, NOAA, NSF, NASA, CDC, EPA and other agencies to speed operational adoption of research.
  • State, local, and tribal governments and fire departments would have required representation on the board, improving frontline input into research priorities and operational practices.
  • The board would create newsletters, online portals, webinars, and workshops to share research findings and best practices with stakeholders and practitioners.
  • The board must report to relevant congressional committees within two years on progress and barriers, and the bill authorizes $10 million to carry out the section.

*Would authorize $10 million in federal funding to establish and run the board, increasing federal spending by that amount.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New Wildfire Science Advisory Board

If enacted, the bill would create a permanent Wildfire Science and Technology Advisory Board run by the Secretary of the Interior. The Board would coordinate turning wildfire research into practical operations. It would include specified federal agency leaders and up to 18 non‑federal members, including state, local, and tribal representatives and technical experts. Non‑federal members would serve two‑year terms. The Chair would rotate annually among the first three listed members, starting with Interior.

Board funding and congressional report

If enacted, the bill would authorize $10,000,000 to carry out the Board, with the funds to remain available until expended. Congress would still need to appropriate the money. The Board would also have to report to specified House and Senate committees within two years about its activities, progress turning research into operations, barriers, and recommendations.

Board staffing, pay, and rules

If enacted, the bill would set how the Board is staffed and paid. Board members would serve without compensation but could receive travel expenses and per diem. The Chair could hire staff and fix pay up to the Executive Schedule level V cap. Federal agencies could detail employees to the Board without loss of civil service status and could use certain agency funds to support Board work. The Board would be exempt from one advisory committee rule in title 5.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

AZ • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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