Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Passed Senate
Summary
Expanded upfront payments to help agricultural producers and private forest owners access emergency conservation funds more quickly. The bill also broadens which wildfire damage qualifies and lengthens key deadlines for emergency aid.
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- Agricultural producers could receive advance cost-share payments before repairs, with payments covering up to 75 percent of replacement costs or 50 percent of repair and restoration costs as set by the Secretary.
- Owners of nonindustrial private forest land could get advance payments of up to 75 percent for emergency measures and must repay unspent funds if not used within 180 days.
- The response window for emergency measures extends from 60 days to 180 days and the wildfire definition expands to include fires not naturally caused when spread results from natural causes and fires caused by the Federal Government, while the Secretary keeps authority to determine eligibility and cost-share amounts.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Advance payments for farm repairs
If enacted, farmers in the Emergency Conservation Program could choose an advance before work. The advance would cover 75% of replacement costs, or 50% for repairs or restoration. The Secretary would set eligible costs and amounts. The program would also allow other urgent measures to restore farmland or conservation structures. Wildfire aid would also cover some human-caused fires and fires started by the Federal Government when spread was natural. Key time windows would be 180 days instead of 60 days.
Advance payments for private forest recovery
If enacted, owners of nonindustrial private forest land could get money up front for recovery work. They could receive up to 75% of eligible costs before work, with amounts set by the Secretary. Owners would need to spend the advance within 180 days of receipt. They would return any unspent funds within a reasonable time. Wildfire aid would also cover some human-caused fires and fires started by the Federal Government when spread was natural.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
NE • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 2/19/2025
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/19/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov