TORCH Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]
Introduced
Summary
Faster wildfire hazard removal is the bill's main goal. It would speed hazardous-fuel work on federal lands, expand grazing as a fire-risk tool, and streamline reviews and approvals so mitigation moves faster.
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- Communities near forests: Creates a categorical exclusion for high-priority hazard-tree removal on National Forest System land for projects up to 3,000 acres and raises some wildfire-resilience project sizes to 10,000 acres.
- Ranchers and land managers: Expands livestock grazing as a tool for fuels reduction and invasive-species control, allows vacant allotments to be used during droughts or disasters, and broadens temporary permits for targeted grazing and post-fire restoration.
- Utilities, tribes, and counties: Speeds vegetation management along transmission and distribution rights-of-way, authorizes trimming hazard trees within 50 feet of power lines, establishes automatic plan-approval timelines of 60 days (67 if modifications are required), and lets Indian tribes and counties retain timber-sale proceeds under Good Neighbor Authority for restoration.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Easier small timber sales under $50K
If enacted, the bill would raise the timber appraisal exemption from $10,000 to $50,000. Sales or disposals with a value of $50,000 or less would not need an appraisal. The Secretary would also be allowed to dispose of portions of trees or forest products without appraisal when an extreme risk (for example wildfire, insect outbreak, wind, flood, or drought) affects a National Forest System unit, under Secretary rules.
Tribes can keep timber sale funds
If enacted, the bill would let Indian tribes, Governors, and counties retain funds from timber sales under Good Neighbor Agreements. Those funds would have to be used by that entity to carry out restoration under the agreement. If money remains after that work, the entity could use the remaining funds for restoration under other good neighbor agreements. The change would apply to projects as the bill describes by effective date.
New tree rules near power lines
If enacted, the bill would let agencies treat vegetation work near electric rights‑of‑way as a NEPA categorical exclusion, covering plan development and routine activities. Plans sent with no changes would be automatically approved after 60 days and plans with modifications after 67 days. The bill would increase the hazard‑tree distance from 10 feet to 50 feet for trees near power lines. Utilities could be allowed to cut trees near lines without a separate timber sale if a permit allows it, and proceeds from any sale would go to the Secretary minus transport costs. The exclusion could not be used in wilderness or on lands where removal is restricted.
Faster wildfire work on federal forests
If enacted, the bill would let the Forest Service use a new NEPA exclusion for high‑priority hazard trees. A high‑priority tree must be visible, likely to fail, and within 300 feet of roads, trails, or developed recreation sites. Projects using that exclusion would be capped at 3,000 acres and the Secretary must create the rule within one year. The bill would also raise several project caps from 3,000 acres to 10,000 acres and change a HFRA milestone year from 2023 to 2030. The bill would direct a strategy to expand livestock grazing for fuels reduction, targeted grazing, and post‑fire recovery. It would generally stop agencies from having to reinitiate ESA section 7 consultations for approved or amended land plans when new species or habitat information arises.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]
UT • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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