S629119th CongressWALLET

Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Deb Fischer

Introduced

Summary

Speeds and expands emergency conservation aid for farmers and private forest owners.

Show full summary

This bill would broaden what counts as eligible emergency measures, allow larger upfront cost-share payments, extend a 60-day timing reference to 180 days, and make more wildfire scenarios eligible for assistance.

  • Farmers and agricultural producers would be able to claim more kinds of emergency measures beyond fencing and receive bigger advance payments for work. For replacements they could receive up to 75 percent of costs and for repairs or restoration up to 50 percent.
  • Owners of nonindustrial private forest land would gain an option for advance payments of up to 75 percent of emergency restoration costs and must return unused funds if not spent within 180 days.
  • Wildfire-related eligibility would expand to include wildfires not naturally caused when damage spreads by natural means and wildfires caused by the Federal Government, making those events eligible for payments.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Advance payments for forest owners

If enacted, owners of nonindustrial private forest land could get an advance of up to 75 percent of emergency restoration costs before work starts. If those funds are not spent within 180 days of receipt, the owner would have to return them within a reasonable time set by the Secretary. The bill would also broaden what counts as a covered wildfire for EFRP.

Faster emergency aid for farmers

If enacted, agricultural producers could get advance ECP payments before doing repairs or replacements. For replacements, advances could be up to 75 percent of the replacement cost. For repairs or restorations, advances could be up to 50 percent of the cost. The bill would also extend a 60-day deadline to 180 days and broaden wildfire-related eligibility for payments.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Deb Fischer

NE • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 2/19/2025

  • Adam Schiff

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/19/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov

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