Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a national framework centered on a network of regional wildland fire research centers to improve prediction, mitigation, and decision tools for wildland fire across U.S. regions.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New regional wildfire research centers
If enacted, the bill would create at least eight regional wildland fire research centers at colleges and land-grant universities. It would start with a pilot of at least two centers as soon as practicable, subject to appropriations, and establish the rest no later than two years after the pilot. The bill would authorize $60 million for FY2026, rising each year to $64 million in FY2030, and $1 million per year for a National Center Coordination Board for FY2026–FY2030. Centers could use the money for equipment or construction. Federal science agencies could transfer additional funds to regional centers and the Secretaries could reallocate funds among centers with notice to Congress.
Research tools and training for wildfire
If enacted, each regional center would be required to do applied wildland fire research and build tools managers can use. Centers would develop models and near-real-time data for predicting fire behavior and smoke, and integrate those models into operational decision-support systems. They would study post-fire risks like flash floods, test models for land management decisions, and develop risk-reduction technologies and safety tools. Centers would follow FAIR data rules, make data and outputs fully and openly available, and run career-pathway and prescribed-fire training programs.
Agency consultation and progress reports
If enacted, the Secretaries would be required to consult with Federal science agencies and the Office of Science and Technology Policy when carrying out the centers. The Secretaries would also work with the National Center Coordination Board to send progress reports to the appropriate congressional committees. Reports would be due not later than each of 2 years and 4 years after enactment and must describe each center's progress and give recommendations to improve research.
National research coordination board
If enacted, the bill would create a National Center Coordination Board with one member chosen by each regional center. The Board would set science and data protocols, coordinate regional data layers and model development, and work to avoid duplicate research. It would meet quarterly and hold public stakeholder meetings, including at least one public meeting annually in each State covered by a region. Board members would serve staggered terms (initially 2, 3, and 4 years) with regular 4-year terms and vacancies to be filled within 180 days.
Regional advisory boards at centers
If enacted, each regional center would have a Regional Advisory Board established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Each board must include regional wildland fire agency representatives, a State forestry or wildland fire expert from each State in the region, and one Tribal representative appointed by the Secretaries. A subcommittee of up to 15 people would elect additional members. Members would serve without pay, meet quarterly, usually serve four-year terms, and vacancies must be filled within 180 days. Boards would advise on research goals and help share results with land management agencies.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Evans (CO)
CO • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov