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S 1462 · 119th Congress · Public Lands and Natural Resources

Fix Our Forests Act

Introduced April 10, 2025 Latest action October 27, 2025 3 cosponsors

Sponsor

Latest action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 212.

Action timeline

Every recorded action on this bill, newest first. Stage badges color-code the legislative path.

Oct 27, 2025
committee Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Oct 27, 2025
other Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 212.
Oct 21, 2025
committee Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
May 06, 2025
committee Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-74.
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Apr 10, 2025
introduced Introduced in Senate

Text versions

Each stage of the bill — official text published by GPO. Click any format to read on congress.gov / govinfo.

Oct 27, 2025 Reported to Senate
XML
Apr 10, 2025 Introduced in Senate
XML

Changelog
ⓘ

How a bill moves through Congress. Each stage produces a new official text. The diff between them shows what changed at that step.

  1. ih / is — Introduced in House / Senate. First filed version.
  2. rfh / rfs — Referred to a committee for review.
  3. rh / rs — Reported back by the committee to the floor (often with amendments — this is where most language changes happen).
  4. pcs / pch — Placed on Calendar for floor consideration.
  5. eh / es — Engrossed. Passed by the originating chamber. Text is now what was actually voted on.
  6. rdh / rds — Received by the other chamber.
  7. eah / eas — Engrossed Amendment. The other chamber passed an amended version.
  8. ath / ats — Agreed to. Both chambers settled on the same text.
  9. enr — Enrolled. Final reconciled text, sent to the President.
  10. pl — Public Law. Signed by the President. It's now law.
  11. pp — Public Print. Official printing post-enactment.

Most bills die before eh/es. Going from pcs → enr is the full path through both chambers.

Line-level diff between text versions of this bill — what actually changed at each legislative stage.

→
+6475 −751 941 unchanged
--- Introduced (Senate)
+++ Reported (Senate)
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
-[S. 1462 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
+[S. 1462 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
+Calendar No. 212
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1462
@@ -22,6 +23,12 @@
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
+October 27, 2025
+
+Reported by Mr. Boozman, with an amendment
+[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
+in italic]
+
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
@@ -34,6 +41,4383 @@
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
+<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Fix Our
+Forests Act''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
+is as follows:</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
+<DELETED>Sec. 2. Definitions.
+<DELETED>TITLE I--LANDSCAPE-SCALE RESTORATION
+
+<DELETED>Subtitle A--Addressing Emergency Wildfire Risks in High-
+priority Firesheds
+
+<DELETED>Sec. 101. Designation of fireshed management areas.
+<DELETED>Sec. 102. Wildfire Intelligence Center.
+<DELETED>Sec. 103. Fireshed Registry.
+<DELETED>Sec. 104. Shared stewardship.
+<DELETED>Sec. 105. Fireshed assessments.
+<DELETED>Sec. 106. Emergency fireshed management.
+<DELETED>Sec. 107. Sunset.
+<DELETED>Subtitle B--Expanding Collaborative Tools to Reduce Wildfire
+Risk and Improve Forest Health
+
+<DELETED>Sec. 111. Modification of treatment of certain revenue and
+payments under good neighbor agreements.
+<DELETED>Sec. 112. Fixing stewardship end result contracting.
+<DELETED>Sec. 113. Fireshed management project strike teams.
+<DELETED>Sec. 114. Locally led restoration.
+<DELETED>Sec. 115. Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership
+Program.
+<DELETED>Sec. 116. Collaborative forest landscape restoration program.
+<DELETED>Sec. 117. Utilizing grazing for wildfire risk reduction.
+<DELETED>Sec. 118. Water Source Protection Program.
+<DELETED>Sec. 119. Watershed Condition Framework technical corrections.
+<DELETED>Sec. 120. Tribal forest protection management activities and
+projects.
+<DELETED>Subtitle C--Litigation Reform
+
+<DELETED>Sec. 121. Commonsense litigation reform.
+<DELETED>Sec. 122. Consultation on forest plans.
+<DELETED>Subtitle D--Prescribed Fire
+
+<DELETED>Sec. 131. Prescribed fire eligible activities, policies, and
+practices.
+<DELETED>Sec. 132. Human resources.
+<DELETED>Sec. 133. Liability of prescribed fire managers.
+<DELETED>Sec. 134. Environmental review.
+<DELETED>Sec. 135. Cooperative agreements and contracts for prescribed
+fire.
+<DELETED>Sec. 136. Facilitating responsible use of prescribed fire.
+<DELETED>TITLE II--PROTECTING COMMUNITIES IN WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE
+
+<DELETED>Subtitle A--Community Wildfire Risk Reduction
+
+<DELETED>Sec. 201. Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program.
+<DELETED>Sec. 202. Community Wildfire Defense Research Program.
+<DELETED>Sec. 203. Community wildfire defense accountability.
+<DELETED>Sec. 204. Community wildfire defense grant program
+improvements.
+<DELETED>Sec. 205. Updated definition of at-risk community.
+<DELETED>Subtitle B--Vegetation Management, Reforestation, and Local
+Fire Suppression
+
+<DELETED>Sec. 211. Vegetation management, facility inspection, and
+operation and maintenance relating to
+electric transmission and distribution
+facility rights-of-way.
+<DELETED>Sec. 212. Fire-safe electrical corridors.
+<DELETED>Sec. 213. Categorical exclusion for high-priority hazard
+trees.
+<DELETED>Sec. 214. Seeds of Success strategy.
+<DELETED>Sec. 215. Program to support priority reforestation and
+restoration projects.
+<DELETED>Sec. 216. Reforestation, nurseries, and genetic resources
+support.
+<DELETED>Sec. 217. Fire department repayment.
+<DELETED>TITLE III--TRANSPARENCY, TECHNOLOGY, AND PARTNERSHIPS
+
+<DELETED>Subtitle A--Transparency and Technology
+
+<DELETED>Sec. 301. Biochar innovations and opportunities for
+conservation, health, and advancements in
+research.
+<DELETED>Sec. 302. Accurate hazardous fuels reduction reports.
+<DELETED>Sec. 303. Public-private wildfire technology deployment and
+demonstration partnership.
+<DELETED>Sec. 304. GAO study on Forest Service policies.
+<DELETED>Sec. 305. Keeping forest plans current and monitored.
+<DELETED>Sec. 306. Container Aerial Firefighting System.
+<DELETED>Sec. 307. Study on pine beetle infestation.
+<DELETED>Subtitle B--White Oak Resilience
+
+<DELETED>Sec. 311. White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition.
+<DELETED>Sec. 312. Forest Service pilot program.
+<DELETED>Sec. 313. Department of the Interior white oak review and
+restoration.
+<DELETED>Sec. 314. White oak regeneration and upland oak habitat.
+<DELETED>Sec. 315. Tree nursery shortages.
+<DELETED>Sec. 316. White oak research.
+<DELETED>Sec. 317. USDA formal initiative.
+<DELETED>Sec. 318. Use of authorities.
+<DELETED>TITLE IV--ENSURING CASUALTY ASSISTANCE FOR FIREFIGHTERS
+
+<DELETED>Sec. 401. Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance
+Program.
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) End water user.--The term ``end water user''
+has the meaning given the term in section 303(a) of the Healthy
+Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6542(a)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Executive director.--The term ``Executive
+Director'' means the Executive Director of the Wildfire
+Intelligence Center appointed under section 102(g).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Fireshed.--The term ``fireshed'' means a
+landscape-scale area, as delineated using methods developed
+through research conducted by the Forest Service, that
+represents similar source levels of community exposure to
+wildfire.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Fireshed management area.--The term ``fireshed
+management area'' means a fireshed management area designated
+under section 101(a).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) Fireshed management project.--The term
+``fireshed management project'' means any of the following
+forest or vegetation management activities:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) A hazardous fuels management
+activity.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Creating a fuel break or fire
+break.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) Removing hazard trees, dead trees, or
+dying trees, as determined by a responsible
+official.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) Developing, approving, or conducting
+routine maintenance under a vegetation management,
+facility inspection, and operation and maintenance plan
+under section 512(c) of the Federal Land Policy and
+Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1772(c)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) Removing trees to address overstocking
+or crowding in a forest stand, consistent with
+achieving the appropriate basal area of the forest
+stand, as determined by a responsible
+official.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) Using treatments to address insects or
+disease or to control vegetation competition or
+invasive species.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (G) A wet-meadow, floodplain, or riparian
+restoration activity that increases wildfire
+resistance.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (H) A forest stand improvement activity
+necessary to protect life and property from
+catastrophic wildfire, as determined by a responsible
+official.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) Any combination of activities
+described in this paragraph.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) Fireshed registry.--The term ``Fireshed
+Registry'' means the registry established under section
+103(a).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (7) Forest plan.--The term ``forest plan'' means--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) a land use plan prepared by the Bureau
+of Land Management for public land pursuant to section
+202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
+1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) a land and resource management plan
+prepared by the Forest Service for a unit of the
+National Forest System pursuant to section 6 of the
+Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act
+of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) a forest management plan (as defined
+in section 304 of the National Indian Forest Resources
+Management Act (25 U.S.C. 3103)) with respect to Indian
+forest land or rangeland.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (8) Governor.--The term ``Governor'' means the
+Governor or other appropriate executive official of--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) a State; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) an Indian Tribe.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (9) Hazardous fuels management activity.--The term
+``hazardous fuels management activity'' means a vegetation
+management activity, or any combination of such activities,
+that reduces the risk of wildfire, including mechanical
+thinning, mastication, prescribed burning, cultural burning (as
+determined by an applicable Indian Tribe), timber harvest, and
+grazing.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (10) HFRA terms.--The terms ``at-risk community'',
+``community wildfire protection plan'', and ``wildland-urban
+interface'' have the meanings given those terms in section 101
+of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C.
+6511).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (11) Indian forest land or rangeland.--The term
+``Indian forest land or rangeland'' means land that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) is held in trust, or subject to a
+restriction against alienation, by the United States
+for an Indian Tribe or a member of an Indian Tribe;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B)(i) is Indian forest land (as defined
+in section 304 of the National Indian Forest Resources
+Management Act (25 U.S.C. 3103)); or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii)(I) has a cover of grasses, brush, or
+any similar vegetation; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) formerly had a forest cover or
+vegetative cover that is capable of
+restoration.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (12) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has
+the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
+Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
+5304).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (13) National forest system.--The term ``National
+Forest System'' has the meaning given the term in section 11(a)
+of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of
+1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (14) Public land.--The term ``public land''
+means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) public lands (as defined in section
+103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
+1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702));</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the land reconveyed to the United
+States pursuant to the first section of the Act of
+February 26, 1919 (40 Stat. 1179, chapter 47) (commonly
+known as ``Coos Bay Wagon Road Grant lands'') under the
+jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) the land revested in the United States
+by the Act of June 9, 1916 (39 Stat. 218, chapter 137)
+(commonly known as ``Oregon and California Railroad
+Grant lands'') under the jurisdiction of the Secretary
+of the Interior.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (15) Relevant committees of congress.--The term
+``relevant committees of Congress'' means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in the Senate--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) the Committee on Agriculture,
+Nutrition, and Forestry; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) the Committee on Energy and
+Natural Resources; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in the House of Representatives--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) the Committee on Agriculture;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) the Committee on Natural
+Resources.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (16) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries''
+means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the Secretary; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the Secretary of the
+Interior.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (17) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
+Secretary of Agriculture.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (18) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary
+concerned'' means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the Secretary, with respect to
+National Forest System land; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the Secretary of the Interior, with
+respect to public land.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (19) Special district.--The term ``special
+district'' means a political subdivision of a State that--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) has significant budgetary autonomy or
+control;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) was established by, or pursuant to,
+the laws of the State for the purpose of performing a
+limited and specific governmental or proprietary
+function primarily relating to land management;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) is distinct from any other unit of
+local government within the State.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (20) State.--The term ``State'' means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) each of the several States;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the District of Columbia;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) each territory of the United
+States.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>TITLE I--LANDSCAPE-SCALE RESTORATION</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>Subtitle A--Addressing Emergency Wildfire Risks in High-
+priority Firesheds</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 101. DESIGNATION OF FIRESHED MANAGEMENT AREAS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Designations.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Initial designations.--Subject to paragraph
+(4), for the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment
+of this Act, the following firesheds are designated as fireshed
+management areas:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) Each landscape-scale fireshed
+identified as a ``high-risk fireshed'' in the document
+published by the Forest Service entitled ``Wildfire
+Crisis Strategy'' and dated January 2022.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Of the 7,688 firesheds described in
+the report published by the Rocky Mountain Research
+Station of the Forest Service in 2019, each landscape-
+scale fireshed identified by the Secretary, in
+consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, as
+being in the top 20 percent for wildfire exposure based
+on the following criteria:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) Wildfire exposure and
+corresponding risk to communities, including
+risk to life, critical infrastructure, and
+other structures.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) Wildfire exposure and
+corresponding risk to municipal watersheds,
+including Tribal water supplies and
+systems.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) Risk of vegetation type
+conversion due to wildfire, based on
+information from existing forest plans, State
+forest action plans, and best available
+science.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Designations in alaska, hawaii, and
+territories.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the
+Secretary of the Interior, shall designate in the States of
+Alaska and Hawaii and the territories of the United States such
+additional fireshed management areas as the Secretaries
+determine to be appropriate, based on the criteria described in
+clauses (i) through (iii) of paragraph (1)(B).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Map-based updated designations.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) Map of firesheds.--Not later than the
+date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of
+this Act, and not less frequently than once every 5
+years thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with
+the Secretary of the Interior, shall submit to the
+relevant committees of Congress an updated map of
+firesheds, which shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) be based on the Fireshed
+Registry; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) include firesheds in the
+States of Alaska and Hawaii and the territories
+of the United States.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Fireshed management areas.--Not later
+than 60 days after submitting an updated fireshed map
+under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall designate
+as a fireshed management area each fireshed depicted on
+that map that the Secretary, in consultation with the
+Secretary of the Interior, identifies as being in the
+top 20 percent of firesheds at risk of wildfire
+exposure based on the criteria described in clauses (i)
+through (iii) of paragraph (1)(B) and in accordance
+with this section.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) Publication.--The Secretary shall make
+each updated map prepared under this paragraph publicly
+available on the Fireshed Registry.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Land location and content.--A fireshed
+management area designated under this subsection--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) shall not overlap with any other
+fireshed management area; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) may contain Federal and non-Federal
+land, including Indian forest land or
+rangeland.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) Combining multiple firesheds.--On receipt of a
+request of an affected Governor, the Secretary, in consultation
+with the Secretary of the Interior, may expand a fireshed
+management area designated under this subsection to include
+more than 1 fireshed.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Use.--The Secretary concerned may carry out fireshed
+management projects on the fireshed management areas designated under
+this section.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Applicability of NEPA.--The designation of a fireshed
+management area under this section shall not be subject to the
+requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
+U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 102. WILDFIRE INTELLIGENCE CENTER.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Board
+governing the Center appointed under subsection (f).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Center.--The term ``Center'' means the
+Wildfire Intelligence Center established under subsection
+(b).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date
+of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Secretary of the
+Interior shall establish a joint office, to be known as the ``Wildfire
+Intelligence Center'', the duties of which are to study, plan,
+coordinate, and implement issues of joint concern among the Department
+of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior, including--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) serving as the development and operational
+center for the comprehensive assessment and prediction of
+wildfires and fires that move into the built environment to
+provide decision support services to inform land and fuels
+management, community outreach and risk reduction, post-
+wildfire recovery and rehabilitation, and fire management and
+response activities carried out by entities, including--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the Federal Government;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) State, Tribal, and local
+governments;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) land managers;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) incident management teams;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) the National Interagency Coordination
+Center;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) geographic coordination
+centers;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (G) land, air, and water
+managers;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (H) burned area rehabilitation
+teams;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) public health entities; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (J) other entities identified by the
+Board;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) facilitating collaboration and information
+sharing across Federal and State departments and agencies,
+Tribal entities, academia, and the private sector with respect
+to matters relating to wildfires; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) addressing such other issues as the Secretary
+and the Secretary of the Interior may identify as issues of
+joint interest in support of the functions of the Center
+described in subsection (d).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Headquarters.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Board shall select from within the United
+States a permanent location for the physical headquarters of the
+Center.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Functions.--The functions of the Center shall include
+the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Providing real-time, science-based, and data-
+rich scientific and technical analytical services, decision
+support, and predictive services across all phases of fire to
+inform pre-fire land and fuels management, pre-fire community
+and built environment risk reduction, active fire management
+and emergency response, and post-fire recovery in the built and
+natural environments.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Assessing and monitoring wildfires and
+wildfire conditions across all phases of fire, including
+ignition, behavior, and spread, climate, weather, drought, soil
+moisture, fuel conditions, smoke, aerosols, fire severity,
+debris flows, and erosion.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Comprehensive modeling of wildfire behavior
+and risks, including ignitions, wildfire intensity and spread
+inside the built and natural environments, air quality, and
+dependence on burn history, vegetation conditions, climate, and
+weather.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Providing and procuring, if commercially
+available, and combining existing data, mapping, technological,
+and consultation services to support pre-, active, and post-
+fire activities, including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) creating and maintaining a real-time
+nationwide wildfire risk catalog by leveraging existing
+risk mapping at land management agencies;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) assisting with the creation of
+evacuation plans for at-risk communities;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) assisting with the creation of public
+safety power shutoff plans;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) assisting with the creation and
+updating of wildfire response strategies, plans, and
+treatment and mitigation measures, including mitigation
+measures in the built environment and the development
+of community wildfire protection plans;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) providing decision support and gridded
+and point data forecast and assessment products in
+support of operational and planning activities,
+including the pre-positioning of wildfire suppression
+personnel and assets based on real-time-risk;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) assisting with the safe and effective
+use of prescribed fire.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) Consolidating air quality monitoring and
+forecasting data to support health risk information to help
+inform risks to public health and protect the public from smoke
+impacts associated with wildfires, including providing planning
+guidance for safe and effective beneficial fire opportunities
+to prevent the risk of wildfires.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) Providing accessible tools and products that
+support emergency and land management decisions relating to
+wildfire prevention, preparedness, and response, including risk
+assessment and contingency planning, which shall include the
+development of a data interface to assist and inform, in real-
+time, firefighters, first responders, and approved contractors
+in responding to wildfires, including the use of any
+observations by the civil, military, and intelligence
+communities of the Federal Government and commercial Earth
+observations.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (7) Establishing an interoperable information
+technology infrastructure accessible by Federal agencies, State
+government offices, units of local government, and Tribal
+governments.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (8) To the extent feasible, establishing data
+interoperability through--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the development of common data
+standards;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the provision of comprehensive
+searchable data inventories;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) working with Tribal governments in
+nation-to-nation partnership;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) the integration and sharing of
+information and resources of the Federal Government and
+State and local governments to support the essential
+functions of the Center;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) the development of data standards to
+protect confidential information that may be essential
+to the core functions of the Center;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) regular updates and maintenance of
+research and technology essential to achieving the core
+functions of the Center; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (G) the development and maintenance of a
+big-data architecture to compile, maintain,
+standardize, and evaluate data associated with the core
+functions of the Center.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (9) In coordination with relevant Federal agencies
+and coordinating entities, as determined by the Board, and in
+consultation with State government agencies, units of local
+government, territories of the United States, and federally
+recognized Indian Tribes, developing, procuring where
+commercially available, and disseminating tools to support
+wildfire planning, risk reduction and response guidance,
+guidelines, maps, and training materials to help inform State,
+territorial, local, and Tribal governments and decisionmakers
+with respect to--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the use and implementations of
+wildfire risk assessments;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the applied use of the database and
+information developed under paragraphs (7) and
+(8);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) reducing losses from
+wildfires;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) increasing benefits from
+wildfires;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) resources available for communities
+and responders working to improve wildfire
+preparedness; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) enhancing communication management in
+emergency wildfire situations, land and resource
+management, and scientific studies.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (10) Working with Federal, State, and Tribal
+agencies to develop and improve National Wildfire Coordinating
+Group wildfire preparedness curricula and training modules
+for--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) State, territorial, local, and Tribal
+officials; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Federal, State, territorial, local,
+and Tribal emergency managers and responders.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (11) Maintaining the Fireshed Registry.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (12) Administering the pilot program established
+under section 303 and streamlining procurement processes for
+technologies identified under that pilot program and technology
+systems related to addressing wildfire and smoke for purposes
+of scaling such technologies and systems across Federal
+agencies.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) Administration.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Secretary and the Secretary
+of the Interior shall cooperatively administer the
+Center.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Transfer of funds.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
+(B), the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior
+may transfer funds provided to establish, and carry out
+the duties of, the Center between--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) the Forest Service;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) the United States Geological
+Survey.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Notice required.--Not later than 15
+days before transferring funds under subparagraph (A),
+the Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior, as
+applicable, shall submit to the Committee on
+Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on
+Appropriations of the House of Representatives a notice
+of the proposed transfer.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (f) Board.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Membership.--The Center shall be governed by a
+Board, to be composed of 16 members, as follows:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the Department of Agriculture, to be appointed by the
+Secretary.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the research and development areas of the Forest
+Service, to be appointed by the Chief of the Forest
+Service.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) 1 member who is a career employee in
+fire and aviation management of the Forest Service, to
+be appointed by the Chief of the Forest
+Service.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the Department of the Interior, to be appointed by the
+Secretary of the Interior.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the Bureau of Land Management, to be appointed by the
+Director of the Bureau of Land Management.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to be appointed by the
+Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (G) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the National Park Service, to be appointed by the
+Director of the National Park Service.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (H) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to be
+appointed by the Director of the United States Fish and
+Wildlife Service.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the United States Geological Survey, to be appointed by
+the Director of the United States Geological
+Survey.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (J) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to
+be appointed by the Administrator of the National
+Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (K) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the National Weather Service, to be appointed by the
+Director of the National Weather Service.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (L) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to be
+appointed by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
+Management Agency.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (M) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the United States Fire Administration, to be appointed
+by the Administrator of the United States Fire
+Administration.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (N) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the Department of Defense, to be appointed by the
+Secretary of Defense.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (O) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the National Science Foundation, to be appointed by the
+Director of the National Science Foundation.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (P) 1 member who is a career employee of
+the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to
+be appointed by the Administrator of the National
+Aeronautics and Space Administration.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Terms.--A member of the Board--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) shall be appointed for a term of 3
+years; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) may be reappointed for not more than 3
+additional terms.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Chairperson; vice chairperson.--The
+Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Board shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) be selected by the members of the
+Board from among the members appointed under
+subparagraphs (B), (I), and (J) of paragraph (1);
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) serve for a term of 1 year.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Majority vote.--A voting consensus by the
+Board shall be not less than a \2/3\ majority vote of the
+members present.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) Nonvoting status.--At the discretion of the
+Board, the Board may include nonvoting observers to the
+Board.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (g) Executive Director.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Center shall have an
+Executive Director, who shall be appointed by, and serve at the
+direction of, the Board.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Drought monitoring.--The Executive Director
+shall engage with relevant Federal agencies, State agencies,
+and entities in the private sector to improve drought
+monitoring, forecasting, communication, and response that may
+be essential to the core functions of the Center, if the
+Executive Director determines that the engagement is
+appropriate, beneficial, and cost-effective.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Contracting authority.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Executive Director
+may enter into and perform contracts, agreements,
+memoranda of understanding, or other, similar
+transactions, as the Executive Director determines to
+be appropriate to carry out the functions of the Center
+described in subsection (d).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Report.--Not later than 180 days after
+the date of enactment of this Act, the Board and the
+Executive Director shall submit to the relevant
+committees of Congress a report that provides--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) an assessment of existing
+contracting authorities of the Executive
+Director;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) recommendations regarding
+whether any new contracting authorities or
+modifications of existing contracting
+authorities are needed; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) a description of
+technologies that may be commercially available
+to perform the functions of the Center,
+together with the costs and timelines of
+procuring those technologies or developing
+relevant capabilities.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (h) Detailees.--The Secretary and the Secretary of the
+Interior may detail or assign to the Center such employees of the
+Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior,
+respectively, as the Secretaries determine to be necessary to carry out
+the duties of the Center.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) Interagency Financing.--Notwithstanding section 708 of
+the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2023
+(Public Law 117-328; 136 Stat. 4706), or any other, similar provision
+of law, interagency financing may be used to fund the Center.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (j) Coordination With Other Agencies and Entities.--To
+carry out the functions of the Center described in subsection (d), the
+Board shall coordinate with agencies represented on the Board and other
+relevant entities, including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) the National Wildfire Coordinating
+Group;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) State and Tribal governments;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) any other agency that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) is responsible for the management of
+Federal or State land; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) has data, science, and technology
+expertise relevant to the Center; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) any other relevant Federal, State, Tribal, or
+nongovernmental entity that is representative of an element of
+the wildland fire community.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (k) Operational Plan.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
+appointment of the Executive Director, the Executive Director
+shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress an
+operational plan describing--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the structure of the Center;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) staffing and funding needs of the
+Center;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) technological capabilities within the
+Department of Agriculture, the Department of the
+Interior, and the other Federal departments and
+agencies comprising the Board that are available to the
+Center;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) an assessment of the potential of
+commercially available technologies to perform the
+functions of the Center; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) a timeline for full operational
+functioning of the Center.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Inclusions.--The plan under paragraph (1)
+shall include estimated costs, key milestones, coordination
+strategies with Federal, State, and private entities, and
+recommendations for ensuring the effective operation of the
+Center.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Updates.--The Director shall update the plan
+not less frequently than annually to reflect progress,
+adjustments in funding, and the adoption of new
+technologies.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (l) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section affects
+the ownership of any data source.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 103. FIRESHED REGISTRY.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--The Secretaries, acting through the
+Executive Director, shall establish and maintain, on a publicly
+accessible website, a registry, to be known as the ``Fireshed
+Registry'', that provides interactive geospatial data relating to
+individual firesheds, including information relating to--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) wildland fire exposure, delineated by
+ownership, including rights-of-way for utilities and other
+public or private purposes;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) any hazardous fuels management activities that
+have occurred within an individual fireshed during the
+preceding 10 years;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) wildland fire exposure with respect to a
+fireshed, delineated by--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) wildfire exposure and corresponding
+risk to communities, including risk to life, critical
+infrastructure, and other structures;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) wildfire exposure and corresponding
+risk to municipal watersheds, including Tribal water
+supplies and systems; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) risk of vegetation type conversion due
+to wildfire;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) the percentage of a fireshed burned in
+wildfire during the preceding 10 years, including, to the
+extent practicable, delineations of acres that have burned at a
+high severity;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) spatial patterns of wildfire exposure,
+including plausible extreme fire events; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) any hazardous fuels management activities
+planned for a fireshed, including fireshed management
+projects.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Community Wildfire Protection Plans.--The Executive
+Director shall make data from the Fireshed Registry available to local
+communities developing or updating community wildfire protection
+plans.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Maintenance.--As part of the website containing the
+Fireshed Registry, the Executive Director shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) publish fireshed assessments conducted under
+section 105; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) maintain a searchable database to track--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the status of Federal environmental
+reviews, permits, and authorizations for fireshed
+management projects, including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) a comprehensive permitting
+timetable;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) the status of the compliance
+of each lead agency, cooperating agency, and
+participating agency with the permitting
+timetable with respect to fireshed management
+projects;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) any required modifications
+of the permitting timetable under clause (i),
+including an explanation regarding why the
+permitting timetable was modified;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) information regarding any
+public meetings, public hearings, and public
+comment periods relating to a fireshed
+management project, as that information becomes
+available, which shall be presented in--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) English; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) the predominant
+language of each community that is most
+affected by the fireshed management
+project, as that information becomes
+available;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the projected cost of fireshed
+management projects; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) in the case of a completed fireshed
+management project, the estimated effectiveness of the
+fireshed management project in--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) reducing the wildfire exposure
+within the applicable fireshed, including
+wildfire exposure described in subparagraphs
+(A) through (C) of subsection (a)(3);
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) increasing the resilience of
+wildlife habitats, including habitat for
+species listed as threatened or endangered
+under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
+U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Incorporation of Existing Assessments and Data.--In
+carrying out this section, the Executive Director shall incorporate any
+assessments completed or data gathered through existing partnerships,
+to the extent practicable.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) Applicability of NEPA.--The establishment and
+maintenance of the Fireshed Registry under this section shall not be
+subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of
+1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 104. SHARED STEWARDSHIP.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Joint Agreements.--The Secretary concerned shall seek
+to use an existing shared stewardship agreement, modify an existing
+shared stewardship agreement, or enter into a similar agreement with
+the Governor of each State and Indian Tribe that contains a fireshed
+management area designated under section 101(a) to jointly--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) promote the reduction of wildfire exposure,
+based on the criteria described in clauses (i) through (iii) of
+section 101(a)(1)(B), in fireshed management areas across
+jurisdictional boundaries; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) conduct fireshed assessments under section
+105.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Adjustment of Boundaries and Updates to Agreements.--
+With respect to an agreement under subsection (a), the Secretary
+concerned, on request of the applicable Governor, may--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) adjust the boundaries of any applicable
+fireshed management area; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) update the agreement to address any new
+wildfire threats.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary and the
+Secretary of the Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with
+units of local government, special districts, end water users,
+nongovernmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and
+other entities, at the discretion of the applicable Secretary to carry
+out the activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection
+(a).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 105. FIRESHED ASSESSMENTS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned, in cooperation with the
+Governor with whom the Secretary concerned enters into an agreement
+under section 104(a), if applicable, shall conduct a fireshed
+assessment in accordance with this section with respect to each
+fireshed management area designated in the applicable State or area of
+Tribal land.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Requirements.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--Each fireshed assessment under
+subsection (a) shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) identify--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) using the best available
+science, wildfire exposure risks within the
+applicable fireshed management area, including
+scenario planning and wildfire hazard mapping
+and models; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) each at-risk community within
+the fireshed management area;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) identify the types of fireshed
+management projects that could benefit the fireshed
+management area, with an emphasis on reducing--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) wildfire exposure and
+corresponding risk to communities, including
+risk to life, critical infrastructure, and
+other structures;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) wildfire exposure and
+corresponding risk to municipal watersheds,
+including Tribal water supplies and
+systems;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) risk of vegetation type
+conversion due to wildfire;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) wildfire risk for wildlife
+habitats, including habitat for species listed
+as threatened or endangered under the
+Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531
+et seq.);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (v) wildfire risk to resources of
+an Indian Tribe, as defined by the Indian
+Tribe; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (vi) any combination of purposes
+described in clauses (i) through (v);
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) include, with respect to the
+applicable fireshed management area--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) a strategy for reducing the
+threat of wildfire--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) to protect at-risk
+communities in the wildland-urban
+interface on Federal and non-Federal
+land;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) to improve the
+effectiveness of wildfire firefighting,
+particularly the effectiveness of fuels
+treatments that would improve wildfire
+firefighter safety during wildfires;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (III) to reduce risk to
+wildlife habitats, including habitat
+for species listed as threatened or
+endangered under the Endangered Species
+Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
+seq.);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) a timeline for the
+implementation of fireshed management
+projects;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) long-term benchmark goals
+for the completion of fireshed management
+projects in the highest wildfire exposure areas
+to ensure that those fireshed management
+projects contribute to the development and
+maintenance of healthy and resilient
+landscapes;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) a strategy to ensure that
+fireshed management projects comply with
+applicable forest plans and incorporate the
+best available science; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (v) a strategy for maximizing the
+retention of late-successional forests, to the
+extent that the trees promote stands that are
+resilient to insects and disease, and reduce
+the risk or extent of, or increase resilience
+to, wildfires.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Existing plans.--To the maximum extent
+practicable, a fireshed assessment shall incorporate and build
+on information, planning, and strategies contained in relevant
+forest plans, State forest action plans, watershed management
+plans, community wildfire protection plans, and similar locally
+led landscape-scale planning documents.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Participation.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) State, tribal, and local
+governments.--In addition to the parties to an
+applicable agreement described in subsection (a), the
+Secretary concerned shall coordinate with States,
+Indian Tribes, units of local government, and other
+entities that are parties to an agreement under section
+104(c) within a fireshed management area in conducting
+the fireshed assessment under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Public.--In carrying out a fireshed
+assessment under this section, the Secretary concerned
+shall provide an opportunity for public participation
+during the 45-day period beginning on the date of
+initiation of the assessment, including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) publication of information
+regarding the development of the assessment--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) on a website
+maintained by the Secretary concerned;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) at convenient
+locations within the applicable
+fireshed management area; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) at least 1 public
+meeting.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Updates and Availability.--Each fireshed assessment
+under subsection (a) shall be--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) regularly updated based on the best available
+science, subject to the requirements of subsection (d)(2);
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) made publicly available on 1 or more websites
+maintained by the Secretary concerned, including the Fireshed
+Registry.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Information Improvement.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Memoranda of understanding.--In carrying out a
+fireshed assessment under this section, the Secretary concerned
+may enter into memoranda of understanding with other Federal
+departments and agencies (including the National Oceanic and
+Atmospheric Administration), States, Indian Tribes, private
+entities, or research or educational institutions to improve,
+with respect to the assessment, the use and integration of--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) advanced remote sensing and geospatial
+technologies;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) statistical modeling and analysis;
+or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) any other technology or combination of
+technologies and analyses that the Secretary concerned
+determines will benefit the quality of information in
+the assessment.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Best available science.--In using the best
+available science for a fireshed assessment under this section,
+the Secretary concerned and the applicable Governor shall
+incorporate, to the maximum extent practicable--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) traditional ecological knowledge from
+Indian Tribes;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) data from State forest action plans
+and State wildfire risk assessments;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) data from the Fireshed Registry;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) data from other Federal, State,
+Tribal, and local governments or agencies.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) Applicability of NEPA.--A fireshed assessment under
+this section shall not be subject to the requirements of the National
+Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 106. EMERGENCY FIRESHED MANAGEMENT.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Fireshed Management Projects.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through a
+responsible official, shall carry out fireshed management
+projects on land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary
+concerned in fireshed management areas in accordance with this
+section, the applicable forest plan, and the laws (including
+regulations) applicable to the Secretary concerned.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Applicability of other provisions.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) In general.--The following shall have
+the force and effect of law with respect to any
+fireshed management project carried out in a fireshed
+management area:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) Section 220.4(b) of title 36,
+Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on
+April 9, 2025), with respect to land under the
+jurisdiction of the Secretary.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) Section 46.150 of title 43,
+Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on
+April 9, 2025), with respect to land under the
+jurisdiction of the Secretary of the
+Interior.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) Section 402.05 of title 50,
+Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on
+April 9, 2025).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) Section 800.12 of title 36,
+Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on
+April 9, 2025), except that any reference
+contained in that regulation to an ``agency
+official'' shall be considered to be a
+reference to a responsible official.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Determination of emergency.--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) In general.--A regulation
+referred to in subparagraph (A) shall not apply
+pursuant to that subparagraph with respect to a
+fireshed management project unless, before
+carrying out the fireshed management project, a
+responsible official--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) determines, in
+accordance with the regulation, that an
+emergency or emergency circumstance
+exists;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) completes any
+documentation or identification
+processes required under such
+regulation; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (III) provides public
+notice of the determination of
+emergency and each related fireshed
+management project activity by
+publishing such determination on a
+website maintained by the Secretary
+concerned.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) Requirement.--In carrying out
+a fireshed management project under a
+regulation referred to in subparagraph (A), a
+responsible official shall ensure that such
+fireshed management project is consistent with
+the applicable forest plan and the laws
+(including regulations) and policies applicable
+to the Secretary concerned.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) Further clarification.--A regulation
+referred to in subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any
+fireshed management project unless such fireshed
+management project will achieve a land management goal
+described in section 604(c) of the Healthy Forests
+Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591c(c)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) Utilization of existing streamlined
+authorities in fireshed management areas.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) In general.--Not later than 2
+years after the date of enactment of this Act,
+with respect to each fireshed management area
+that contains Federal land, the Secretary
+concerned, acting through a responsible
+official, shall use not fewer than 1 of the
+following expedited authorities for
+environmental review to carry out fireshed
+management projects:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) Section 603(a) of the
+Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
+(16 U.S.C. 6591b(a)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) Section 605(a) of the
+Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
+(16 U.S.C. 6591d(a)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (III) Section 606(b) of
+the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of
+2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591e(b)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (IV) Section 40806(b) of
+the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
+Act (16 U.S.C. 6592b(b)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) Compliance with nepa.--In
+applying expedited authorities for
+environmental review to carry out fireshed
+management projects under clause (i), the
+Secretary concerned shall ensure--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) such project is
+carried out in accordance with the
+statute establishing the categorical
+exclusion applied by the Secretary
+concerned;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) compliance with the
+National Environmental Policy Act of
+1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (III) such project is
+carried out in accordance with the
+applicable forest plan or resource
+management plan and the laws and
+policies applicable to the Secretary
+concerned.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) Additional emergency
+actions.--The Secretary may declare an
+emergency pursuant to section 40807 of the
+Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (16
+U.S.C. 6592c) for any fireshed management
+project.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) Fiscal responsibility act
+requirements.--In carrying out this section,
+the Secretary concerned shall ensure compliance
+with the amendments made to the National
+Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
+4321 et seq.) by the Fiscal Responsibility Act
+of 2023 (Public Law 118-5; 137 Stat.
+38).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (v) Use of other authorities.--To
+the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary
+concerned shall use the authorities provided
+under this section in combination with other
+authorities to carry out fireshed management
+projects, including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) good neighbor
+agreements under section 8206 of the
+Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C.
+2113a) (as amended by this
+Act);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) stewardship
+contracting projects entered into under
+section 604 of the Healthy Forests
+Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C.
+6591c) (as amended by this
+Act);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (III) self-determination
+contracts and self-governance compact
+agreements entered into under the
+Indian Self-Determination and Education
+Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et
+seq.); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (IV) agreements entered
+into under the Tribal Forest Protection
+Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-278; 118
+Stat. 868).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Expansion.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Healthy forests restoration act amendments.--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) Definitions.--Section 3 of the Healthy
+Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6502) is
+amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) in paragraph (2), by striking
+``450b'' and inserting ``5304''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(3) Local government.--The term `local
+government' means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) a county;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) a municipality; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) a special district.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(4) Special district.--The term `special
+district' means a political subdivision of a State that--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) has significant budgetary autonomy
+or control;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) was established by, or pursuant to,
+the laws of the State for the purpose of performing a
+limited and specific governmental or proprietary
+function primarily relating to forest or rangeland
+management; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) is distinct from any other unit of
+local government within the State.''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Administrative review.--Section 603(c)
+of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
+U.S.C. 6591b(c)) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) in paragraph (1), by striking
+``3000 acres'' and inserting ``10,000 acres'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) in paragraph (2)(B), by
+striking ``Fire Regime Groups I, II, or III''
+and inserting ``Fire Regime I, Fire Regime II,
+Fire Regime III, or Fire Regime IV''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) Wildfire resilience projects.--Section
+605(c) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
+(16 U.S.C. 6591d(c)) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) in paragraph (1), by striking
+``3000 acres'' and inserting ``10,000 acres'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) in paragraph (4), by striking
+``code of Federal regulations (or successor
+regulations)'' and inserting ``Code of Federal
+regulations (or a successor
+regulation)''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) Greater sage-grouse and mule deer
+habitat.--Section 606 of the Healthy Forests
+Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591e) is amended--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) in subsection (a)(1)(A)--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) by striking clause
+(ii);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) by redesignating
+clauses (iii) through (vii) as clauses
+(ii) through (vi), respectively;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (III) in clause (iii) (as
+so redesignated), in the matter
+preceding subclause (I), by striking
+``in a sagebrush steppe
+ecosystem'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) in subsection (c), by
+striking ``concurrently for both greater sage-
+grouse and'' and inserting ``for greater sage-
+grouse or''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) in subsection (g)(1), by
+striking ``4,500 acres'' and inserting ``7,500
+acres''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Infrastructure investment and jobs act
+amendment.--Section 40806(d)(1) of the Infrastructure
+Investment and Jobs Act (16 U.S.C. 6592b(d)(1)) is amended by
+striking ``3,000 acres'' and inserting ``10,000
+acres''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 107. SUNSET.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> The authority under this subtitle terminates on the date
+that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>Subtitle B--Expanding Collaborative Tools to Reduce Wildfire
+Risk and Improve Forest Health</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 111. MODIFICATION OF TREATMENT OF CERTAIN REVENUE AND
+PAYMENTS UNDER GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENTS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Good Neighbor Authority.--Section 8206 of the
+Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking
+``either the Secretary or a Governor or county'' and
+inserting ``the Secretary, a Governor, an Indian tribe,
+a special district, or a county'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (5), by striking
+``Governor or'' and inserting ``Governor, an Indian
+tribe, a special district, or a'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) in paragraph (6), by striking ``or
+Indian tribe''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(11) Special district.--The term `special
+district' means a political subdivision of a State that--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) has significant budgetary autonomy
+or control;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) was established by, or pursuant to,
+the laws of the State for the purpose of performing a
+limited and specific governmental or proprietary
+function primarily relating to forest or rangeland
+management; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) is distinct from any other unit of
+local government within the State.''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``or
+county'' and inserting ``, an Indian tribe, a special
+district, or a county'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2)(C)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) in clause (i)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) in the matter
+preceding subclause (I), by inserting
+``special district,'' after ``Indian
+Tribe,'' each place it
+appears;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) in subclause (I)--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (aa) by striking
+``on''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (bb) by striking
+``; and'' and inserting a
+semicolon;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (III) in subclause (II)--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (aa) in the matter
+preceding item (aa), by
+striking ``clause (i)'' and
+inserting ``subclause (I)'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (bb) in item (bb),
+by striking ``the Good Neighbor
+Authority for Recreation Act.''
+and inserting ``section 351 of
+the EXPLORE Act (16 U.S.C.
+8571);''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (IV) by adding at the end
+the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(III) if there are funds
+remaining after carrying out subclause
+(II)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(aa) to carry
+out authorized restoration
+services under other good
+neighbor agreements;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(bb) for the
+administration of a good
+neighbor authority program by a
+Governor, Indian tribe, special
+district, or county.'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) in clause (ii), by striking
+``2028'' and inserting ``2030'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``or
+county'' and inserting ``, an Indian tribe, a special
+district, or a county''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) by striking paragraph (4).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Technical Amendment.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--Section 443 of division E of
+Public Law 118-42 (138 Stat. 297) is amended, in the matter
+preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``Agriculture Act of
+2014'' and inserting ``Agricultural Act of 2014''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by
+paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date of enactment of
+Public Law 118-42 (138 Stat. 25).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
+shall apply to any project initiated pursuant to a good neighbor
+agreement (as defined in section 8206(a) of the Agricultural Act of
+2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)))--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) before the date of enactment of this Act, if
+the project was initiated after the date of enactment of the
+Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334; 132
+Stat. 4490); or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) on or after the date of enactment of this
+Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 112. FIXING STEWARDSHIP END RESULT CONTRACTING.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Section 604 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
+(16 U.S.C. 6591c) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in subsection (b), by inserting ``, including
+retaining and expanding existing forest products
+infrastructure'' before the period at the end; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in subsection (d)(3)(B), by striking ``10
+years'' and inserting ``20 years''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(4) Special rule for long-term stewardship
+contracts.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) Definition of long-term contract.--
+In this paragraph, the term `long-term contract' means
+an agreement or contract under subsection (b) that--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(i) has a term of longer than 5
+years; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(ii) is entered into on or after
+the date of enactment of this
+paragraph.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) Special rule.--A long-term contract
+entered into under subsection (b) by the Chief or the
+Director with an entity shall provide that, in the case
+of cancellation or termination of the long-term
+contract by the Chief or the Director, the Chief or the
+Director, as applicable, shall provide to the entity an
+amount equal to 10 percent of the long-term contract
+amount as cancellation or termination
+costs.''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 113. FIRESHED MANAGEMENT PROJECT STRIKE TEAMS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--The Secretary concerned shall
+establish intra-agency strike teams to assist the Secretary concerned
+with--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) any reviews, including analysis under the
+National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
+seq.), consultations under division A of subtitle III of title
+54, United States Code (formerly known as the ``National
+Historic Preservation Act''), and consultations under the
+Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), with
+the intent to accelerate and streamline interagency
+consultation processes;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) the implementation of any necessary site
+preparation work in advance of, or as part of, a fireshed
+management project;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) the implementation of fireshed management
+projects; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) any combination of purposes described in
+paragraphs (1) through (3).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Members.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Secretary concerned may
+appoint not more than 10 individuals to serve on an intra-
+agency strike team under this section, to be composed of--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) employees of the department under the
+jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) employees of a different Federal
+department or agency, with the consent of the head of
+that department or agency; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) private contractors or volunteers from
+any nonprofit organization, State government, Indian
+Tribe, local government, quasi-governmental agency,
+academic institution, or private
+organization.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Requirement.--In appointing individuals under
+paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall appoint not fewer
+than 1 employee of the Federal agency with jurisdiction over
+the applicable Federal land.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Review Responsibility.--The Secretary concerned
+shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) determine the sufficiency of the documents
+prepared by an intra-agency strike team under this section;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) retain responsibility for any authorizing
+decision relating to such a document.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Sunset.--The authority under this section terminates
+on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this
+Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 114. LOCALLY LED RESTORATION.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Section 14(d) of the National Forest Management Act of
+1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a(d)) is amended, in the first sentence, by striking
+``$10,000'' and inserting ``$55,000''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 115. JOINT CHIEFS LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP
+PROGRAM.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Section 40808 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
+Act (16 U.S.C. 6592d) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)(2)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking
+``or'' at the end;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the
+period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(D) to recover from wildfire;
+or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(E) to enhance soil, water, and related
+natural resources.'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in subsection (d)(1)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting
+``and post-wildfire impacts'' after ``wildfire risk'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (F), by inserting ``,
+as identified in the corresponding State forest action
+plan or similar priority plan (such as a State wildlife
+or water plan)'' before the semicolon;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) in subsection (g), by striking paragraph (2)
+and inserting the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) Additional reports.--For each of fiscal
+years 2022 and 2023, and not less frequently than once every 2
+fiscal years thereafter, the Chiefs shall submit a report
+describing projects for which funding is provided under the
+Program, including the status and outcomes of those projects,
+to--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) in the Senate--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(i) the Committee on
+Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(ii) the Committee on Energy and
+Natural Resources; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(iii) the Committee on
+Appropriations; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) in the House of Representatives--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(i) the Committee on
+Agriculture;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(ii) the Committee on Natural
+Resources; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(iii) the Committee on
+Appropriations.''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``and 2023''
+and inserting ``through 2031''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 116. COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION
+PROGRAM.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Section 4003 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of
+2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (2)(B)(ii), by striking
+``500 note'' and inserting ``7125''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) in the matter preceding
+subparagraph (A), by striking ``plans to--''
+and inserting ``plans--'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) in each of subparagraphs (A)
+through (H), by inserting ``to'' after the
+subparagraph designation; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) in subparagraph (D), by
+inserting ``or pathogens'' before the
+semicolon;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in subsection (c)(3)(A)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at
+the end;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in clause (ii), by adding ``and''
+after the semicolon at the end; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(iii) include a Federal
+Government staffing plan for providing staff to
+support collaborative processes established
+under subsection (b)(2);'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) in subsection (d)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) in subparagraph (E), by
+striking ``and'' at the end;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) in subparagraph (F), by
+striking the period at the end and inserting a
+semicolon; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(G) proposals that seek to use
+innovative implementation mechanisms, including good
+neighbor agreements entered into under section 8206 of
+the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C.
+2113a);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(H) proposals that seek to reduce the
+risk of uncharacteristic wildfire or increase
+ecological restoration activities--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(i) within areas across land
+ownerships, including State, Tribal, and
+private land; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(ii) within the wildland-urban
+interface (as defined in section 101 of the
+Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
+U.S.C. 6511)); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(I) proposals that seek to enhance
+watershed health and drinking water sources.'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) by striking subparagraph (A)
+and inserting the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) 4 proposals in any 1 region of the
+National Forest System to be funded during any fiscal
+year; and'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) by striking subparagraph (B);
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) by redesignating
+subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) in subsection (e)(3), by inserting ``conflict
+resolution or collaborative governance,'' before ``and woody'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) in subsection (f)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (4)(B)(ii), by striking
+``$4,000,000'' and inserting ``$8,000,000'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``2023''
+and inserting ``2031''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 117. UTILIZING GRAZING FOR WILDFIRE RISK
+REDUCTION.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Strategy.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after
+the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned, in
+coordination with the holders of permits to graze livestock on
+Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned
+and in consultation with other relevant stakeholders, shall
+develop a strategy to utilize livestock grazing as a wildfire
+risk reduction tool on Federal land, consistent with the laws
+applicable to the Secretary concerned.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Inclusions.--The strategy under paragraph (1)
+shall include--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the completion of any reviews required
+under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
+U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to allow permitted grazing on
+vacant grazing allotments during instances of drought,
+wildfire, or other natural disasters that disrupt
+grazing on allotments already permitted;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the use of targeted grazing to reduce
+hazardous fuels;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) an increased use of temporary permits
+to promote targeted fuels reduction and reduction of
+invasive annual grasses;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) an increased use of livestock
+grazing--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) to eradicate invasive annual
+grasses; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) as a post-fire restoration
+and recovery strategy, as
+appropriate;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) an integrated use of advanced
+technologies to dynamically adjust livestock
+placement;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) an increased use of any authorities
+applicable to livestock grazing, including
+modifications to grazing permits or leases to allow
+variances;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (G) the utilization of grazing on Federal
+land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned
+in a manner that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) avoids conflicts with other
+uses of that Federal land; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) is consistent with any
+applicable land management plan; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (H) the use of any other means determined
+to be appropriate by the Secretary concerned.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Effect on Existing Grazing Programs.--Nothing in this
+section affects--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) any livestock grazing program carried out by
+the Secretary concerned as of the date of enactment of this
+Act; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) any statutory authority for any program
+described in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 118. WATER SOURCE PROTECTION PROGRAM.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Section 303 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
+(16 U.S.C. 6542) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1)
+through (7) as paragraphs (2) through (8),
+respectively;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as
+so redesignated) the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) Adjacent land.--The term `adjacent land'
+means non-Federal land, including State, local, and private
+land, that is adjacent to, and within the same watershed as,
+National Forest System land on which a watershed protection and
+restoration project is carried out under this section.'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) in paragraph (2) (as so
+redesignated)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) by redesignating subparagraphs
+(G) and (H) as subparagraphs (K) and (L),
+respectively; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) by inserting after
+subparagraph (F) the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(G) an acequia association;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(H) a local, regional, or other public
+entity that manages stormwater or wastewater resources
+or other related water infrastructure;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(I) a land-grant mercedes; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(J) a local, regional, or other private
+entity that has water delivery authority;'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) by inserting ``and adjacent land''
+before the period at the end;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) by striking ``The Secretary'' and
+inserting the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) Requirements.--A watershed protection and
+restoration project under the Program shall be designed--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) to protect and restore watershed
+health, water supply and quality, a municipal or
+agricultural water supply system, and water-related
+infrastructure;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) to protect and restore forest health
+from insect infestation and disease or wildfire;
+or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) to advance any combination of the
+purposes described in subparagraphs (A) and
+(B).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(3) Priorities.--In selecting watershed
+protection and restoration projects under the Program, the
+Secretary shall give priority to projects that would--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) provide risk management benefits
+associated with drought, wildfire, post-wildfire
+conditions, extreme weather events, flooding,
+resilience to climate change, and watershed and fire
+resilience, including minimizing risks to watershed
+health, water supply and quality, and water-related
+infrastructure, including municipal and agricultural
+water supply systems;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) support aquatic restoration and
+conservation efforts that complement existing or
+planned forest restoration or wildfire risk reduction
+efforts;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) provide quantifiable benefits to
+water supply or quality and include the use of nature-
+based solutions, such as restoring wetland and riparian
+ecosystems;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(D) include--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(i) partners with demonstrated
+capacity to, and success in, designing and
+implementing ecological restoration projects,
+wildfire risk-reduction efforts, or post-
+wildfire restoration projects; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(ii) in the case of communities
+that have historically lacked access to
+adequate resources, partners with a strong
+likelihood of success in designing and
+implementing a watershed protection and
+restoration project; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(E) include--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(i) a contribution of funds or
+in-kind support from non-Federal partners in an
+amount greater than the amount required under
+subsection (g)(2); or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(ii) such other characteristics
+as the Secretary determines to be
+appropriate.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(4) Conditions for projects on adjacent land.--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--No project or activity
+may be carried out under this section on adjacent land,
+unless the owner of the adjacent land provides express
+support for, and is a willing and engaged partner in,
+carrying out that project or activity.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) Effect.--Nothing in this section
+authorizes any change in--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(i) the ownership of adjacent
+land on which a project or activity is carried
+out under this section; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(ii) the management of adjacent
+land on which a project or activity is carried
+out under this section, except during the
+carrying out of that project or
+activity.'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1), by striking
+``agreements with'' and all that follows through the
+period at the end and inserting the following:
+``agreements with end water users to protect and
+restore the condition of National Forest watersheds and
+adjacent land that provide water to--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) end water users; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) end water users to protect and
+restore the condition of National Forest watersheds and
+adjacent land that provide water for the benefit of
+another end water user.'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) in subparagraph (C), by
+striking ``or'' at the end;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) by redesignating subparagraph
+(D) as subparagraph (E); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) by inserting after
+subparagraph (C) the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(D) in the case of an agreement with a
+State, a county, or an Indian tribe for a project
+carried out on National Forest System land, a good
+neighbor agreement entered into under section 8206 of
+the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a); or'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(3) Cooperation with non-federal partners.--The
+Secretary shall cooperate with non-Federal partners in carrying
+out assessments, planning, project design, and project
+implementation under this section.'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) in subsection (d)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) by striking paragraph (2) and
+inserting the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) Requirements.--A water source management
+plan shall be--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) designed to protect and restore
+ecological integrity (as defined in section 219.19 of
+title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on
+the date of enactment of this subparagraph));</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) based on the best available
+scientific information; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) conducted in a manner consistent
+with the forest plan applicable to the National Forest
+System land on which the watershed protection and
+restoration project is carried out.''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(4) Reducing redundancy.--An existing watershed
+plan, such as a watershed protection and restoration action
+plan developed under section 304(a)(3), or other applicable
+watershed planning documents approved by the Secretary may be
+used as the basis for a water source management plan under this
+subsection.'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``purpose
+of'' in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all that
+follows through the period at the end and inserting ``purpose
+of advancing any of the purposes described in subsection
+(b)(2).''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) in subsection (g)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) by striking ``at least equal
+to'' and inserting ``not less than 20 percent
+of'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) by striking ``The Secretary''
+and inserting the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
+(B), the Secretary''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the
+requirement under subparagraph (A) at the discretion of
+the Secretary.'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (4)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) in subparagraph (B), by
+striking ``fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and
+inserting ``fiscal years 2025 through
+2031'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) by redesignating subparagraph
+(C) as subparagraph (D); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) by inserting after
+subparagraph (B) the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) Set-aside for partner participation
+in planning and capacity.--Of the amounts made
+available under subparagraphs (A) and (B) to carry out
+this section for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall
+use not less than 10 percent for non-Federal partner
+technical assistance participation and capacity-
+building efforts in developing or implementing a water
+source management plan under subsection (d).'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(5) In-kind contributions.--The Secretary may
+include the value of forest restoration and watershed
+improvement work implemented on adjacent land in the project
+area in determining in-kind contributions to a project from
+non-Federal partners under paragraph (4)(A).''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 119. WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK TECHNICAL
+CORRECTIONS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Section 304(a) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of
+2003 (16 U.S.C. 6543(a)) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (3)(A), by inserting ``protection
+and'' before ``restoration'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the
+end;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at
+the end and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(7) to ensure that management activities and
+authorizations do not result in long-term degradation of
+watershed health or lower the classification under paragraph
+(1) of any watershed in a National Forest.''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 120. TRIBAL FOREST PROTECTION MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AND
+PROJECTS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Section 8703 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
+(25 U.S.C. 3115b) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in the section heading, by striking
+``management demonstration project'' and inserting ``protection
+management activities and projects'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection
+(c);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) by striking
+``demonstration'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) by striking ``federally
+recognized'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) by striking ``programs of'' and
+inserting ``activities and projects under'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) by striking ``5304 et seq.'' and
+inserting ``5301 et seq.''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) by striking the subsection designation
+and heading and all that follows through ``and the
+Secretary'' and inserting the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' means
+an Indian Tribe included on the list published by the Secretary
+of the Interior under section 104 of the Federally Recognized
+Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal
+organization' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of
+the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
+U.S.C. 5304).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(b) Activities and Projects.--The Secretary and the
+Secretary of the Interior'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
+by striking ``subsection (a)'' and inserting
+``subsection (b)''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``5304
+et seq.'' and inserting ``5301 et seq.''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(d) Publication of Information.--The Secretary and the
+Secretary of the Interior shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) not later than 180 days after the date of
+enactment of this subsection, make available, in an easily
+accessible format and location, on the website of the
+Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior,
+respectively, a list of the types of activities and projects
+that Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations may enter into
+contracts to perform under subsection (b); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) update the list under paragraph (1) as
+necessary.''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>Subtitle C--Litigation Reform</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 121. COMMONSENSE LITIGATION REFORM.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Agency document.--The term ``agency
+document'', with respect to a fireshed management project,
+means a record of decision, decision memorandum, environmental
+document, or programmatic environmental document.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Covered agency action.--The term ``covered
+agency action'' means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the establishment of a fireshed
+management project by an agency;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the application of a categorical
+exclusion to a fireshed management project;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) the preparation of any agency document
+for a fireshed management project; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) any other agency action as part of a
+fireshed management project.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) NEPA terms.--The terms ``categorical
+exclusion'', ``environmental document'', and ``programmatic
+environmental document'' have the meanings given those terms in
+section 111 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
+(42 U.S.C. 4336e).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Limitations on Judicial Review.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Limitations on injunctive relief.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) Temporary delay of covered agency
+action.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in
+the case of a claim arising under Federal law seeking
+judicial review of a covered agency action, a court
+shall not issue a preliminary injunction against such
+covered agency action unless the court determines
+that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) subject to subparagraph (C),
+such preliminary injunction is in the public
+interest;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) the balance of equities
+favors the plaintiff;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) the plaintiff is likely to
+succeed on the merits; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) the plaintiff is likely to
+suffer irreparable injury in the absence of
+preliminary relief.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Permanent limit on agency action.--
+Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case
+of a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial
+review of a covered agency action, a court shall not
+issue a permanent injunction against such covered
+agency action, or an order to otherwise permanently
+limit such covered agency action, unless a court
+determines that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) subject to subparagraph (C),
+such permanent injunction or order is in the
+public interest;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) the balance of equities
+favors the plaintiff;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) the plaintiff has suffered
+or will suffer irreparable injury;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) no adequate remedy is
+available at law.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) Public interest determination.--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) In general.--In determining
+under subparagraphs (A) and (B) whether a
+preliminary or permanent injunction against, or
+other order with respect to, a covered agency
+action is in the public interest, the
+considerations of the court shall include--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) the purpose for which
+an agency is undertaking the fireshed
+management project relating to such
+covered agency action;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) the likelihood that
+the fireshed management project will
+achieve the stated purpose of the
+fireshed management project;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (III) the short- and long-
+term effects of proceeding with the
+covered agency action, as compared to
+delaying or limiting such covered
+agency action, including the potential
+for significant increases in wildfire
+risk or severity and significant
+threats to the health of the
+ecosystem.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) Weight of public interest
+factor.--In determining whether to issue any
+injunction or order under subparagraph (A) or
+(B), a court shall give significant, but not
+necessarily dispositive, weight to its
+consideration of whether such order is in the
+public interest.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Remand.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
+provision of law, in the case of a claim arising under
+Federal law seeking judicial review of a covered agency
+action, if the court remands the matter to the agency,
+the court shall remand with instructions to carry out,
+during the 180-day period beginning on the date of such
+remand, such additional actions as may be necessary to
+redress any cognizable harm giving rise to such
+claim.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Vacatur.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) In general.--In remanding a
+matter to an agency under subparagraph (A), the
+court shall remand with vacatur only if--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) the seriousness of any
+deficiencies in the covered agency
+action weigh in favor of vacatur;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) the court determines
+that any disruptive consequences of
+vacatur, including the short- and long-
+term effects of vacating the covered
+agency action or any part of such
+covered agency action, do not outweigh
+the justification for
+vacatur.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) Considerations.--In making
+the determination described in clause (i)(II),
+the court shall consider whether vacatur would
+cause--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) any significant
+increases in wildfire risk or severity,
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) any significant
+threats to the health of the
+ecosystem.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) Effect of remand on agency.--In the
+case of a covered agency action subject to remand
+without vacatur, or with partial vacatur, pursuant to
+this paragraph, the agency may--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) continue to carry out such
+covered agency action, or such parts of the
+covered agency action as are not vacated, to
+the extent that doing so does not interfere
+with any additional actions required pursuant
+to subparagraph (A); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) use any format, as
+appropriate, to correct an agency document
+(including a supplemental environmental
+document, memorandum, or errata sheet),
+provided that such format is appropriate to the
+nature of the deficiency.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Preservation of authority.--Nothing in this
+section alters, limits, or displaces the authority of a court
+to review a covered agency action under section 706(2) of title
+5, United States Code.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Limitations on Claims.--Notwithstanding any other
+provision of law, a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial
+review of a covered agency action shall be barred unless--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) with respect to an agency document or the
+application of a categorical exclusion noticed in the Federal
+Register, such claim is filed not later than 150 days after the
+date of publication of a notice in the Federal Register of
+agency intent to carry out the fireshed management project
+relating to such covered agency document or application, unless
+a shorter period is specified in such Federal law; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in the case of an agency document or the
+application of a categorical exclusion not described in
+paragraph (1), if such agency document or application is
+otherwise published or noticed, such claim is filed not later
+than 150 days after the date that is the earlier of--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the date on which such agency document
+or application is published; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the date on which such agency document
+or application is noticed.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 122. CONSULTATION ON FOREST PLANS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Forest Service Plans.--Section 6(d)(2) of the Forest
+and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C.
+1604(d)(2)) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) No additional consultation required under
+certain circumstances.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
+law, the Secretary shall not be required to reinitiate
+consultation under section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species
+Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)) or section 402.16 of title
+50, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), on
+a land management plan approved, amended, or revised under this
+section when--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) a new species is listed or critical
+habitat is designated under the Endangered Species Act
+of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) new information reveals effects of
+the land management plan that may affect a species
+listed or critical habitat designated under that Act in
+a manner or to an extent not previously
+considered.''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Bureau of Land Management Plans.--Section 202 of the
+Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712) is
+amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(g) No Additional Consultation Required Under Certain
+Circumstances.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
+Secretary shall not be required to reinitiate consultation under
+section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
+1536(a)(2)) or section 402.16 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations
+(or a successor regulation), on a land use plan approved, amended, or
+revised under this section when--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) a new species is listed or critical habitat
+is designated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
+U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) new information reveals effects of the land
+use plan that may affect a species listed or critical habitat
+designated under that Act in a manner or to an extent not
+previously considered.''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>Subtitle D--Prescribed Fire</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 131. PRESCRIBED FIRE ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES, POLICIES, AND
+PRACTICES.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Definition of Prescribed Fire.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--In this section, the term
+``prescribed fire'' means a fire deliberately ignited to burn
+wildland fuels in a natural or modified state--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) under specified environmental
+conditions that are intended to allow the fire--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) to be confined to a
+predetermined area; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) to produce the fireline
+intensity and rate of spread required to attain
+planned resource management objectives;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in accordance with applicable law
+(including regulations).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Exclusion.--In this section, the term
+``prescribed fire'' does not include a fire that is ignited for
+the primary purpose of pile burning.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Eligible Activities.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Secretary concerned may carry
+out eligible activities described in paragraph (2) for
+hazardous fuels management with respect to land under the
+jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Description of activities.--The activities
+referred to in paragraph (1) are--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) with respect to prescribed fires on
+Federal land, or on non-Federal land if the Secretary
+concerned determines that such activities would benefit
+resources on Federal land--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) entering into procurement
+contracts or cooperative agreements for
+prescribed fire activities;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) issuing grants from an
+existing grant program to a State, Tribal
+government, local government, prescribed fire
+council, prescribed burn association, or
+nonprofit organization for the implementation
+of prescribed fires, including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) carrying out necessary
+environmental reviews;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) carrying out any site
+preparation necessary for implementing
+prescribed fires; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (III) conducting any
+required pre-ignition cultural and
+environmental surveys; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) conducting outreach to the
+public, Indian Tribes and beneficiaries, and
+adjacent landowners;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) implementing prescribed fires on non-
+Federal land, if the Secretary concerned determines
+that the prescribed fire would benefit Federal land,
+including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) carrying out necessary
+environmental reviews;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) carrying out any site
+preparation necessary for implementing
+prescribed fires; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) conducting any required pre-
+ignition cultural and environmental
+surveys;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) providing training for prescribed fire
+and basic smoke management practices to Federal
+employees and cooperators;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) conducting post-prescribed fire
+activities, such as monitoring for hazard trees or
+reignitions and invasive species management;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) providing technical or financial
+assistance to a State, Tribal government, local
+government, prescribed fire council, prescribed burn
+association, or nonprofit organization for the purpose
+of providing training for prescribed fire or basic
+smoke management practices, consistent with any
+standards developed by the National Wildfire
+Coordinating Group or State-prescribed fire
+standards.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Prioritization.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
+(B), the Secretary concerned shall coordinate with the
+other Secretary concerned, State and local government
+agencies, Indian Tribes, and applicable nongovernmental
+organizations to establish prioritization criteria for
+carrying out the activities described in paragraph
+(2).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Requirement.--In establishing criteria
+under subparagraph (A), the Secretary concerned shall
+give priority to a project that is--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) implemented across a large
+contiguous area;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) cross-boundary in
+nature;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) located in an area that is--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) within or adjacent to
+the wildland-urban interface and
+identified as a priority area in a
+statewide forest action plan, fireshed
+assessment, or community wildfire
+protection plan; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) identified as
+important to the protection of a Tribal
+trust resource or the reserved or
+treaty rights of an Indian
+Tribe;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) on land that is at high or
+very high risk of experiencing a wildfire that
+would be difficult to suppress;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (v) in an area that is designated
+as critical habitat and in need of ecological
+restoration or enhancement that can be achieved
+with the aid of prescribed fire; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (vi) supportive of potential
+operational delineations or strategic response
+zones.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Policies and Practices.--The Secretary concerned, in
+coordination with State, local, and Tribal governments, shall develop a
+prescribed fire operational strategy for each region of the National
+Forest System or the Department of the Interior, as applicable, that
+describes--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) the fire deficit, by region; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) staffing and funding needs to address the fire
+deficit described in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 132. HUMAN RESOURCES.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Competencies for Firefighters.--The Secretaries, in
+coordination with the Fire Executive Council, shall task the National
+Wildfire Coordinating Group with the duty to adjust training
+requirements to obtain a certification to serve in a supervisory role
+for a prescribed fire and any other positions determined to be
+necessary by the Secretaries--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in order to reduce the time required to obtain
+such a certification; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) such that significant experience, gained
+exclusively during a prescribed fire, is required to obtain
+such a certification.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Enhancing Interoperability Between Federal and Non-
+Federal Practitioners.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Qualification databases and dispatch
+systems.--The Secretaries shall establish, to the extent
+practicable, a collaborative process to create mechanisms for
+non-Federal fire practitioners to be included in prescribed
+fire and wildfire resource ordering and reimbursement
+processes.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Partnership agreements.--The Secretaries may--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) develop partnership agreements for
+prescribed fire with all relevant State, Federal,
+Tribal, university, and nongovernmental entities that
+choose to be included in resource ordering and
+reimbursement processes under paragraph (1);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) create agreements and structures
+necessary to include non-Federal and other
+nontraditional partners in direct work with Federal
+agencies to address prescribed fires; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) treat any prescribed fire practitioner
+meeting the National Wildfire Coordinating Group
+standards as eligible to be included in statewide
+participating agreements.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 133. LIABILITY OF PRESCRIBED FIRE MANAGERS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Training Course.--The Secretaries, in coordination
+with the Attorney General of the United States, shall develop a
+voluntary training course for employees involved in any activity
+carried out on Federal land that is directly related to a prescribed
+fire in the course of executing a Federal action.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Requirement.--The training course developed under
+subsection (a) shall include a description of--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) liability protections afforded to the
+employees described in that subsection when acting within the
+scope of their employment;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) the limits on any liability protections under
+paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) any reimbursement available for qualified
+employees for professional liability insurance under section
+636 of division A of Public Law 104-208 (5 U.S.C. prec. 5941
+note).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 134. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Smoke Management Agencies.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Policy.--The Secretaries shall ensure that
+policies, training, and programs of the Secretaries are
+consistent with this subsection--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) to facilitate greater use of
+prescribed fire in a safe and responsible manner, with
+appropriate monitoring to prevent prescribed fires from
+exceeding containment; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) to address public health and safety,
+including impacts from smoke from wildfires and
+prescribed fires.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Coordination among federal, tribal, and state
+air quality agencies and federal, tribal, and state land
+management agencies.--To facilitate the use of prescribed fire
+on Federal, State, Tribal, and private land, the Executive
+Director, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection
+Agency, Federal and State land management agencies, shall
+coordinate with State, Tribal, and local air quality agencies
+that regulate smoke under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et
+seq.)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) to the maximum extent practicable, to
+provide State, Tribal, and local air quality agencies
+with guidance, data, imagery, or modeling to support
+the development of exceptional event demonstrations in
+accordance with sections 50.14 and 51.930 of title 40,
+Code of Federal Regulations (or successor
+regulations);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) to develop archives and automated
+tools to provide State, Tribal, and local air quality
+agencies with the data, imagery, and modeling under
+subparagraph (A);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) to provide technical assistance, best
+practices, or templates to States, Indian Tribes, and
+local governments for the use of the State, Indian
+Tribe, or local government in approving the use of
+prescribed fire under a State, Tribal, or local
+government smoke management program;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D)(i) to promote basic smoke management
+practices and other best practices to protect the
+public from wildfire smoke;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) to disseminate information about
+basic smoke management practices;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) to educate landowners that use
+prescribed fire about the importance of--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) using basic smoke management
+practices; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) including basic smoke
+management practices as a component of a
+prescribed fire plan; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) to share with the public information,
+in coordination with other public health agencies,
+about measures that individuals can take to protect
+themselves from wildfire smoke; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) to develop guidance and tools to
+streamline the demonstration of a clear causal
+relationship between prescribed fire smoke and a
+related exceedance of a national ambient air quality
+standard.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Programs and research.--To address the public
+health and safety risk of the expanded use of prescribed fire
+under this subtitle, the Secretaries, in coordination with the
+Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the
+Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
+shall conduct research to improve or develop--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) wildfire smoke prediction
+models;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) smoke impact display tools for the
+public and decisionmakers;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) appropriate, cost-effective, and
+consistent strategies to mitigate the impacts of smoke
+from prescribed fire on nearby communities;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) consistent nationally and
+scientifically supported messages regarding personal
+protection equipment for the public; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) prescribed fire activity tracking and
+emission inventory systems for planning and post-
+treatment accountability.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Development of Landscape-Scale Federal Prescribed Fire
+Plans.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Inclusion of landscape-scale prescribed fire
+plans.--The Secretary concerned, with respect to units of the
+National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management districts
+with existing prescribed fire programs--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) not later than 1 year after the date
+of enactment of this Act, shall determine which of
+those units or districts have landscape-scale
+prescribed fire plans;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) not later than 2 years after the date
+of enactment of this Act, shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) determine whether each plan
+described in subparagraph (A) requires
+revision; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) establish a schedule for the
+revision of each plan described in subparagraph
+(A) that requires revision; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) may develop landscape-scale prescribed
+fire plans for any units or districts that do not have
+landscape-scale prescribed fire plans, as determined
+appropriate by the Secretary concerned.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Environmental compliance.--In carrying out
+paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) comply with--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) the National Environmental
+Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
+seq.);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) the Endangered Species Act of
+1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) division A of subtitle III
+of title 54, United States Code; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) any other applicable laws;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) consider the site-specific
+environmental consequences of the landscape-scale
+prescribed fire decisions under this
+subsection.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Collaborative development.--In carrying out
+paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall collaborate with
+diverse actors from academia, the Forest Service and Bureau of
+Land Management research and development offices,
+nongovernmental organizations, cultural fire practitioners, and
+other entities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary
+concerned.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date
+of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the
+Secretary concerned shall submit to Congress a report
+describing the progress of the Secretary concerned in carrying
+out this subsection.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 135. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS FOR PRESCRIBED
+FIRE.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Agreements and Contracts.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Definition of eligible entity.--In this
+subsection, the term ``eligible entity'' means a State, an
+Indian Tribe, a unit of local government, a fire district, a
+nongovernmental organization, and a private entity.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Authorization.--The Secretary and the
+Secretary of the Interior may each enter into a cooperative
+agreement or contract with an eligible entity, for a period of
+not longer than 10 years, that authorizes the eligible entity--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) to coordinate, plan, or conduct a
+prescribed fire on Federal land; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) to conduct a prescribed fire training
+event.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Subcontracts.--A State, Indian Tribe, county,
+or eligible entity that enters into a cooperative agreement or
+contract under paragraph (1) may enter into a subcontract, in
+accordance with applicable contracting procedures of the State,
+Indian Tribe, county, or eligible entity--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) to conduct a prescribed fire on
+Federal land; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) to conduct a prescribed fire training
+event pursuant to that cooperative agreement or
+contract.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Applicable law.--A prescribed fire conducted
+pursuant to this subsection shall be carried out on a project-
+by-project basis under existing authorities of the applicable
+Federal agency responsible for the management of the applicable
+Federal land.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) Preservation of decision authority.--An
+eligible entity may not carry out a project under this
+subsection pursuant to a cooperative agreement or contract
+without the prior written approval of each Secretary that
+entered into the cooperative agreement or contract.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 Amendments.--The
+Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-278; 118 Stat.
+868) is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>``SEC. 4. TRIBAL PRESCRIBED BURN DEMONSTRATION
+PROJECT.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may enter into a contract
+or agreement with an Indian Tribe under this Act that provides for
+prescribed burns on Federal land pursuant to this section.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(b) Scope.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
+a contract or agreement entered into under this section may--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) use a burn plan that, on approval by the
+Secretary, allows multiple prescribed burns to be conducted in
+accordance with the burn plan to eliminate the need for
+individual burn plans for each prescribed burn and enable
+forest managers to have the flexibility to conduct prescribed
+burns when conditions allow; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) include terms that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) authorize the Secretary to delegate
+their authority to an Indian Tribe to plan, coordinate,
+and execute prescribed burns on the behalf of the
+Secretary within the scope of the burn plan including
+applying the National Wildfire Coordinating Group
+standards for prescribed fire planning and
+implementation, to the extent authorized by Federal
+law;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) any applicable Federal standard that
+requires a certain number of personnel to be on-hand
+during prescribed burns may be satisfied by regional
+Federal, State, or Tribal resources and personnel;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) where appropriate, the Secretary
+shall work with other Federal agencies and Tribal,
+State, and local governments to coordinate and
+communicate the shared objectives of the prescribed
+burn and ensure activities comply with applicable law
+and regulations.''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Cooperative Funds and Deposits Act Amendments.--Public
+Law 94-148 (commonly known as the ``Cooperative Funds and Deposits
+Act'') is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in the first sentence of the first section (16
+U.S.C. 565a-1), by inserting ``prescribed fire and prescribed
+fire training events,'' after ``including fire protection,'';
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in section 2 (16 U.S.C. 565a-2), by inserting
+``, section 4 of the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004
+(Public Law 108-278; 118 Stat. 868) or section 135(a) of the
+Fix Our Forests Act'' after ``authorized by section
+1''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 136. FACILITATING RESPONSIBLE USE OF PRESCRIBED
+FIRE.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> The Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest
+Service, shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) use all available resources to ensure
+prescribed burns conducted by the Forest Service are
+extinguished; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) update the prescribed burn policies of the
+Forest Service to reflect the findings and recommendations
+included in the report of the Forest Service entitled
+``National Prescribed Fire Program Review'' and dated September
+2022.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>TITLE II--PROTECTING COMMUNITIES IN WILDLAND-URBAN
+INTERFACE</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>Subtitle A--Community Wildfire Risk Reduction</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 201. COMMUNITY WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--Not later than 30 days after the date
+of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly establish an
+interagency program, to be known as the ``Community Wildfire Risk
+Reduction Program'' (referred to in this section as the ``Program''),
+which shall consist of at least 1 representative from each of the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) The Office of Wildland Fire of the Department
+of the Interior.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) The National Park Service.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) The Bureau of Land Management.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) The United States Fish and Wildlife
+Service.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) The Bureau of Indian Affairs.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) The Forest Service.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (7) The Federal Emergency Management
+Agency.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (8) The United States Fire
+Administration.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (9) The National Institute of Standards and
+Technology.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (10) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
+Administration.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Program is to support
+interagency coordination in reducing the risk of, and the damages
+resulting from, wildland fires in communities (including Tribal
+communities) in the wildland-urban interface through--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) advancing research and science in wildland
+fire resilience, land management, and risk reduction in the
+built environment, including support for non-Federal research
+partnerships;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) supporting the development of fire-resistant
+building methods, codes, and standards for community wildland
+fire risk reduction, including by promoting ignition-resistant
+construction, defensible space, and other measures demonstrated
+to effectively reduce wildland fire risks, as informed by the
+best available science;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) supporting adoption by Indian Tribes and local
+governmental entities of fire-resistant building methods,
+codes, and standards;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) supporting efforts by Indian Tribes and local
+governmental entities to address the effects of wildland fire
+on those communities, including property damages, air quality,
+and water quality;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) encouraging public-private partnerships to
+conduct hazardous fuels management activities in the wildland-
+urban interface, including creating or improving defensible
+space around structures;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) providing technical and financial assistance
+targeted towards communities (including Tribal communities)
+through streamlined and unified technical assistance and grant
+management mechanisms, including the portal and uniform grant
+application established under subsection (c)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) to encourage critical risk-reduction
+measures on private property with high wildland fire
+risk exposure in those communities; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) to mitigate costs for, and improve
+capacity among, those communities;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (7) reducing risk in the built environment by
+encouraging increased mitigation measures, such as the use of
+ignition-resistant construction and retrofitting
+materials;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (8) coordinating budgets among the agencies
+described in subsection (a) to identify gaps and reduce
+overlap;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (9) supporting the integration of wildland fire
+risk reduction measure and technical assistance into existing
+Federal programs, where practicable; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (10) advancing the development of early wildfire
+detection and warning systems for rapid response and community
+alerts.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Portal and Uniform Grant Application.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--As part of the Program, the
+Secretaries and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
+Management Agency shall establish a portal through which a
+person may submit a single, uniform application for any of the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) A community wildfire defense grant
+under section 40803(f) of the Infrastructure Investment
+and Jobs Act (16 U.S.C. 6592(f)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) An emergency management performance
+grant under section 662 of the Post-Katrina Emergency
+Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 762).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) A grant under section 33 of the
+Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15
+U.S.C. 2229).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) A grant under section 34 of the
+Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15
+U.S.C. 2229a).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) Financial or technical assistance or a
+grant under section 203, 205, 404, 406, or 420 of the
+Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
+Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133, 5135, 5170c, 5172,
+5187).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Simplification of application.--In
+establishing the portal and application under paragraph (1),
+the Secretaries and the Administrator shall seek to reduce the
+complexity and length of the application process for the forms
+of assistance described in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Technical assistance.--The Secretaries shall
+provide technical assistance to communities or persons seeking
+to apply for financial assistance through the portal using the
+application established under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Duties.--In carrying out this section, the
+representatives described in subsection (a) shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) meet not less frequently than once per
+year;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) ensure coordination, as appropriate, with
+other Federal agencies not identified in that subsection;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) seek to gather feedback, as appropriate, from
+States, Indian Tribes, local governments, academic or research
+institutions, private entities, and such other entities as the
+Secretaries determine to be appropriate, to improve the
+function and operation of the Program.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) Coordination.--The Secretaries shall seek to ensure
+that States and Indian Tribes are invited and represented in meetings
+and other activities under this section.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (f) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly submit to the
+relevant committees of Congress a report that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) describes and itemizes the total amount of
+funding relating to community wildfire risk reduction that was
+obligated during the 2 preceding fiscal years by the agencies
+described in subsection (a);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) describes the activities carried out under the
+Program since the date of enactment of this Act;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) describes any feedback incorporated from non-
+Federal stakeholders to improve the function and operation of
+the Program; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) includes an evaluation of the Program in
+achieving the purposes described in subsection (b).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (g) Sunset.--The Program terminates on the date that is 7
+years after the date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 202. COMMUNITY WILDFIRE DEFENSE RESEARCH
+PROGRAM.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Secretaries, acting jointly, shall
+expand the Joint Fire Science Program to include a performance-driven
+research and development program, to be known as the ``Community
+Wildfire Defense Research Program'' (referred to in this section as the
+``Program''), for the purpose of testing and advancing innovative
+designs to establish or improve the wildfire resistance of structures
+and communities.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Program Priorities.--In carrying out the Program, the
+Secretaries shall evaluate opportunities to establish wildfire-
+resistant structures and communities through--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) different affordable building materials,
+including mass timber;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) home hardening, including policies to
+incentivize and incorporate defensible space;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) subdivision design and other land-use planning
+and design;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) landscape architecture; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) other wildfire-resistant designs, as
+determined by the Secretary.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Community Wildfire Defense Innovation Prize.--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the
+Secretaries shall carry out a competition through which a
+person may submit to the Secretaries innovative designs for the
+establishment or improvement of an ignition-resistant structure
+or fire-adapted community.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Prize.--Subject to the availability of
+appropriations made in advance for that purpose, the
+Secretaries may award a prize under the competition described
+in paragraph (1), based on criteria established by the
+Secretaries and in accordance with paragraph (3).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Scale.--In awarding a prize under paragraph
+(2), the Secretaries shall prioritize for an award designs with
+the greatest potential to scale to existing
+infrastructure.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Collaboration and Nonduplication.--In carrying out the
+Program, the Secretaries shall ensure collaboration and nonduplication
+of activities with the Building Technologies Office of the Department
+of Energy.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) Sunset.--The Program terminates on the date that is 7
+years after the date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 203. COMMUNITY WILDFIRE DEFENSE ACCOUNTABILITY.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this
+Act, and not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter, the
+Secretaries, acting through the United States Fire Administration,
+shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress an assessment of
+the Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program established under section
+201(a) that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) assesses the management, coordination,
+implementation, and effectiveness of program
+activities;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) suggests improvements for improving the
+coordination and engagement of the program with States, Indian
+Tribes, units of local government, and at-risk
+communities;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) assesses trends and developments in science
+and engineering relating to wildfire risk reduction in the
+built environment, land use planning, and vegetation management
+that could be used to improve the effectiveness or efficiency
+of the program;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) provides recommendations to improve the
+ability of the program to provide financial or technical
+assistance to States, Indian Tribes, units of local government,
+and at-risk communities;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) identifies opportunities to modify existing
+requirements for Federal assistance or programs that support
+community wildfire risk reduction to improve the delivery,
+effectiveness, or availability of those assistance or programs;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) includes policy and program recommendations to
+improve that program, as determined by the United States Fire
+Administration.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 204. COMMUNITY WILDFIRE DEFENSE GRANT PROGRAM
+IMPROVEMENTS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Section 40803(f) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
+Act (16 U.S.C. 6592(f)) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) by striking paragraph (1)(B), and inserting
+the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) to carry out projects including--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(i) landscape and hazardous
+fuels reduction treatments;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(ii) the retrofit, modification,
+or maintenance of a structure to improve
+resistance to fire;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(iii) creating defensible space
+around structures to improve resistance to
+fire;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(iv) hardening infrastructure,
+including evacuation routes, to improve
+resistance to fire;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(v) any other project described
+in a community wildfire protection plan that is
+not more than 10 years old; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(vi) deployment of wildfire
+technologies determined to be successful under
+section 303 of the Fix Our Forests
+Act.'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking
+``or'' at the end;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the
+period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(D) located in a fireshed management
+area (as defined in section 2 of the Fix Our Forests
+Act).''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking
+``continental''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) by adding at the end the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(D) Limitation on administrative
+expenses.--Not more than 7 percent of funds obligated
+under this section may be used for administrative
+expenses incurred by the Secretary of Agriculture or an
+at-risk community.''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 205. UPDATED DEFINITION OF AT-RISK COMMUNITY.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Section 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
+(16 U.S.C. 6511) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) At-risk community.--The term `at-risk
+community' means an area that is composed of--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) an interface community (as defined
+in the notice entitled `Wildland Urban Interface
+Communities Within the Vicinity of Federal Lands That
+Are at High Risk From Wildfire' (66 Fed. Reg. 753
+(January 4, 2001)) issued by the Secretary of
+Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior in
+accordance with title IV of the Department of the
+Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001
+(114 Stat. 1009));</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) a group of homes and other
+structures with basic infrastructure and services (such
+as utilities and collectively maintained transportation
+routes) at risk from wildfire, as recognized in a
+fireshed, State, Tribal, local, regional, territorial,
+or national wildfire risk assessment; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) a group of homes and other
+structures with basic infrastructure and services (such
+as utilities and collectively maintained transportation
+routes) located inside, or within 5 miles of, a
+Wildfire Crisis Strategy landscape, as determined by
+the Secretary of Agriculture.''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>Subtitle B--Vegetation Management, Reforestation, and Local
+Fire Suppression</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 211. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, FACILITY INSPECTION, AND
+OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE RELATING TO ELECTRIC
+TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITY RIGHTS-OF-
+WAY.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Hazard Trees Within 150 Feet of Electric Power Line.--
+Section 512(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
+1976 (43 U.S.C. 1772(a)(1)(B)) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by
+striking ``likely to--'' and inserting ``likely--'';</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in clause (i), by inserting ``to'' after the
+clause designation; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) in clause (ii), by striking ``come within 10''
+and inserting ``to come within 150''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Consultation With Private Landowners.--Section
+512(c)(3)(E) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
+U.S.C. 1772(c)(3)(E)) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the
+end;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in clause (ii), by striking the period and
+inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(iii) consulting with a private
+landowner with respect to any hazard trees
+identified for removal from land owned by the
+private landowner.''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Review and Approval Process.--Section 512(c)(4)(A) of
+the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C.
+1772(c)(4)(A)) is amended by striking clause (iv) and inserting the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(iv) ensures that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(I) a plan submitted
+without a modification under clause
+(iii) shall be automatically approved
+by the date that is 120 days after the
+date of submission; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(II) for a plan
+submitted with a modification under
+clause (iii), if the plan is not
+approved by the date that is 120 days
+after the date of submission, the
+Secretary concerned shall develop and
+submit to the owner and operator a
+letter describing--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(aa) a detailed
+timeline (to conclude by the
+date that is 165 days after the
+date of submission of the plan)
+for completing review of the
+plan;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(bb) any
+identified deficiencies in the
+plan and specific opportunities
+for the owner or operator to
+address each deficiency;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(cc) any other
+relevant information, as
+determined by the Secretary
+concerned.''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Technical Corrections.--Section 512 of the Federal
+Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1772) is amended--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) in the section heading, by striking
+``managment'' and inserting ``management''; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in subsection (c)(4)(A)(ii), by striking
+``and'' at the end.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) Vegetation Management Plan Review.--Not later than 180
+days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall
+submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report describing, with
+respect to vegetation management plans submitted under section 512 of
+the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1772)--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) the extent to which those vegetation
+management plans under are reviewed and approved within the
+120-day period required under subsection (c)(4)(A)(iv) of that
+section;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) for any vegetation management plan not
+reviewed and approved by the applicable deadline described in
+paragraph (1), the reason for any delay in review or approval;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) for any vegetation management plan submitted
+for review and approval for which the Secretary concerned
+requested a modification, the timeline for reviewing the
+modification on resubmission.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 212. FIRE-SAFE ELECTRICAL CORRIDORS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Section 512 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act
+of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1772) is amended--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) by redesignating subsections (j) and (k) as
+subsections (k) and (l), respectively; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) by inserting after subsection (i) the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(j) Permits and Agreements With Owners and Operators of
+Electric Transmission or Distribution Facilities.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--In any special use permit or
+easement on National Forest System land or land under the
+jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management provided to the
+owner or operator of an electric transmission or distribution
+facility, the Secretary concerned may provide permission to cut
+and remove trees or other vegetation from within the vicinity
+of the electric transmission or distribution facility without
+requiring a separate timber sale, if that cutting and removal
+is consistent with--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(A) the applicable plan;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(B) the applicable land and resource
+management plan or land use plan; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(C) other applicable environmental laws
+(including regulations).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(2) Use of proceeds.--A special use permit or
+easement that includes permission for cutting and removal
+described in paragraph (1) shall include a requirement that, if
+the owner or operator of the electric transmission or
+distribution facility sells any portion of the material removed
+under the permit or easement, the owner or operator shall
+provide to the Secretary concerned any proceeds received from
+the sale, less any transportation costs incurred in the
+sale.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> ``(3) Effect.--Nothing in paragraph (2) shall
+require the sale of any material removed under a permit or
+easement that includes permission for cutting and removal
+described in paragraph (1).''.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 213. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR HIGH-PRIORITY HAZARD
+TREES.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) High-priority hazard tree.--The term ``high-
+priority hazard tree'' means a standing tree that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) presents a visible hazard to people or
+Federal property due to conditions such as
+deterioration of, or damage to, the root system, trunk,
+stem, or limbs of the tree, or the direction or lean of
+the tree, as determined by the Secretary;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) is determined by the Secretary to be
+highly likely to fail and, on failure, would be highly
+likely to cause injury to people or damage to Federal
+property; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) is located--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) within 300 feet of a National
+Forest System road with a maintenance level of
+3, 4, or 5;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) along a National Forest
+System trail; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) in a developed recreation
+site on National Forest System land that is
+operated and maintained by the
+Secretary.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) High-priority hazard tree activity.--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) In general.--The term ``high-priority
+hazard tree activity'' means a forest management
+activity that mitigates the risks associated with high-
+priority hazard trees, including pruning, felling, and
+disposal of a high-priority hazard tree.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Exclusions.--The term ``high-priority
+hazard tree activity'' does not include any activity--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) conducted in a wilderness area
+or wilderness study area;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) for the construction of a
+permanent road or permanent trail;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) conducted on Federal land on
+which, by Act of Congress or Presidential
+proclamation, the removal of vegetation is
+restricted or prohibited;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) conducted in an area in which
+activities described in subparagraph (A) would
+be inconsistent with the applicable land and
+resource management plan; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (v) conducted in an inventoried
+roadless area.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Categorical Exclusion.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
+date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a
+categorical exclusion (as defined in 111 of the National
+Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4336e)) for high-
+priority hazard tree activities.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Administration.--In developing and
+administering the categorical exclusion under paragraph (1),
+the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) comply with the National Environmental
+Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) apply the extraordinary circumstances
+procedures under section 220.6 of title 36, Code of
+Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), in
+determining whether to use the categorical
+exclusion.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Project size limitation.--A project carried
+out using the categorical exclusion developed under paragraph
+(1) may not exceed 6,000 acres.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 214. SEEDS OF SUCCESS STRATEGY.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date
+of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly develop and
+implement a strategy, to be known as the ``Seeds of Success strategy'',
+to enhance the domestic supply chain of seeds.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Elements.--The strategy developed under subsection (a)
+shall include a plan for each of the following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Facilitating sustained interagency
+coordination in, and a comprehensive approach to, native plant
+materials development and restoration.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Promoting the re-seeding of native or fire-
+resistant vegetation post-wildfire, particularly in the
+wildland-urban interface.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Creating and consolidating information
+relating to native or fire-resistant vegetation and sharing
+that information with Indian Tribes and State and local
+governments.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Building regional programs and partnerships to
+promote the development of materials made from plants native to
+the United States and restore those plants to their respective,
+native habitats within the United States, giving priority to
+the building of those programs and partnerships in regions of
+the Bureau of Land Management where the partnerships and
+programs do not exist on the date of enactment of this
+Act.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) Expanding workforce and infrastructure
+capacity to locally collect, process, and store seed as
+necessary to implement revegetation and reforestation projects
+on priority land (as defined in section 215(b)(1)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) Expanding the warehouse system of the Bureau
+of Land Management, particularly the cold storage capacity of
+the system.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (7) Shortening the timeline for the approval of
+permits to collect seeds on public land managed by the Bureau
+of Land Management.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (8) Coordinating with the other Federal agencies,
+States, Indian Tribes, and private entities, as appropriate,
+for the purpose of seed collection.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Report.--The Secretaries shall submit to the relevant
+committees of Congress the strategy developed under subsection
+(a).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Coordination.--In implementing the strategy developed
+under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
+Director of the Bureau of Land Management, shall coordinate with the
+heads of other applicable Federal agencies, including the Department of
+Defense, for the purpose of collecting seeds from land under the
+jurisdiction under those Federal agencies.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 215. PROGRAM TO SUPPORT PRIORITY REFORESTATION AND
+RESTORATION PROJECTS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Reforestation Reports Submitted to Additional
+Committees.--Section 70303 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
+Act (16 U.S.C. 1601 note; Public Law 117-58) is amended, in the matter
+preceding paragraph (1), by striking inserting ``, the Committee on
+Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on Natural
+Resources of the House of Representatives,'' after
+``Senate''.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Interior Reforestation Program.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) Covered institution of higher
+education.--The term ``covered institution of higher
+education'' means a land-grant college or university,
+including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) an 1862 Institution (as
+defined in section 2 of the Agricultural
+Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act
+of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601));</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) an 1890 Institution (as
+defined in that section);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) an institution that is
+eligible to receive funding under Public Law
+87-788 (commonly known as the ``McIntire-
+Stennis Act of 1962''); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) a 1994 Institution (as
+defined in section 532 of the Equity in
+Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7
+U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-
+382)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Natural regeneration; reforestation;
+unplanned event.--The terms ``natural regeneration'',
+``reforestation'', and ``unplanned event'' have the
+meanings given those terms in section 3(e)(4)(A) of the
+Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act
+of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601(e)(4)(A)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) Priority land.--The term ``priority
+land'' means historically forested land under the
+jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned that, due to an
+unplanned event--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) requires reforestation to meet
+the objectives described in an applicable land
+use plan; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) is unlikely to experience
+natural regeneration.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Program establishment.--Not later than 1 year
+after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the
+Interior shall establish a program to implement reforestation
+projects on priority land identified under paragraph (4)(A), in
+accordance with this section.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Support.--In carrying out the program
+established under paragraph (2), the Secretary may enter into--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) cooperative agreements in accordance
+with processes established by the Secretary;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) contracts, including contracts entered
+into pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and
+Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et
+seq.).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Annual identification of priority projects.--
+Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act,
+and annually thereafter, the Secretary of the Interior shall--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) identify priority land within the
+United States;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) establish a list of reforestation
+projects on priority land for the upcoming year, which
+may include activities to ensure adequate and
+appropriate seed and seedling availability to further
+the objectives of other priority projects;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) estimate the costs necessary to
+implement the list established under subparagraph
+(B).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) Consultation.--In carrying out the program
+under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult or
+coordinate with, as appropriate--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) applicable State and local
+governments;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) applicable Indian Tribes;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) covered institutions of higher
+education;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) Federal agencies that administer
+Federal land that adjoins, or is adjacent to, land that
+is the subject of a project identified under paragraph
+(4)(B); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) other stakeholders, at the discretion
+of the Secretary.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) Annual report.--Not later than 1 year after
+the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for
+each of the following 6 years, the Secretary of the Interior
+shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress, the
+Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Committee on
+Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report that
+includes the following, with respect to the period covered by
+the report:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) An accounting of all priority
+land.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) A list of projects identified under
+paragraph (4)(B).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) An accounting of any progress made on
+projects identified in any previous report under this
+paragraph.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) An accounting of each contract and
+cooperative agreement established under the program
+under this subsection.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) The amounts necessary to be
+appropriated, in addition to amounts available from
+other sources, to implement reforestation projects on
+all priority land by not later than 10 years after the
+date of submission of the report.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (7) Nonduplication.--In carrying out this section,
+the Secretary of the Interior shall collaborate with the
+Secretary and the Secretary of Defense to ensure the
+nonduplication of activities carried out under section
+214.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 216. REFORESTATION, NURSERIES, AND GENETIC RESOURCES
+SUPPORT.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Eligible recipient.--The term ``eligible
+recipient'' means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) a State forestry agency;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) an Indian Tribe; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) a private nursery that has experience,
+as determined by the Secretary, in growing high-quality
+native trees of appropriate genetic sources in bareroot
+or container stocktypes specific for reforestation,
+restoration, or conservation, including native plants
+and seeds that are of cultural significance to Indian
+Tribes.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Nursery.--The term ``nursery'' means a tree or
+native plant nursery.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Seed orchard.--The term ``seed orchard'' means
+a tree or native plant seed orchard.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) State.--The term ``State'' means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) each of the several States;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the District of Columbia;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) any territory or possession of the
+United States.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Partnerships, Collaboration, and Other Assistance in
+Support of Nurseries and Seed Orchards.--The Secretary, acting through
+the Chief of the Forest Service, shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) partner with Federal and State agencies,
+Indian Tribes, institutions of higher education, and private
+nurseries to provide training, technical assistance, and
+research to nursery and tree establishment programs that
+support natural regeneration, reforestation, agroforestry, and
+afforestation;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) promote information-sharing to improve
+technical knowledge and practices and understand demands,
+climate change impacts, and other issues as necessary to
+address all facets of the reforestation supply chain;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) provide technical and financial assistance to
+international nursery and tree establishment programs through
+the Forest Service International Programs, the Institute of
+Pacific Islands Forestry, and the International Institute of
+Tropical Forestry;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) collaborate with other relevant Federal
+departments and agencies, including the Foreign Agricultural
+Service, the United States Agency for International
+Development, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
+and international organizations, including the Food and
+Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, to provide
+technical and financial assistance relating to nurseries and
+reforestation;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) coordinate the efforts of the Department of
+Agriculture--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) to address the challenges associated
+with the reforestation supply chain; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) to leverage economic development
+assistance for work with private nurseries;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) expand reforestation supply chains through
+science and research, seed collection and storage, and nursery
+infrastructure and operations.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Nursery and Seed Orchard Grants.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the
+date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish or
+expand an existing program to provide grants to eligible
+recipients to support nurseries and seed orchards.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Eligible projects.--An eligible recipient that
+receives a grant under paragraph (1) shall carry out a project
+that comprises 1 or more of the following activities:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) The development, expansion,
+enhancement, or improvement of nursery production
+capacity or other infrastructure--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) to improve seed collection and
+storage;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) to increase seedling
+production, storage, and distribution;
+or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) to enhance seedling survival
+and properly manage tree genetic
+resources.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) The establishment or expansion of a
+nursery or seed orchard, including by acquiring
+equipment for a nursery or seed orchard.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) The development or implementation of
+quality control measures at nurseries or seed
+orchards.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) The promotion of workforce development
+within any facet of the reforestation
+pipeline.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) Such other activities as the Secretary
+determines to be appropriate.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 217. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPAYMENT.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Establishment of Standard Operating Procedures.--Not
+later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
+Secretaries shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) establish standard operating procedures
+relating to payment timelines for fire suppression cost-share
+agreements established under section 2 of the Act of May 27,
+1955 (42 U.S.C. 1856a) (commonly known as the ``Reciprocal Fire
+Protection Act''); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) with respect to each fire suppression cost-
+share agreement in operation on that date--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) review the agreement; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) modify the agreement as necessary to
+comply with the standard operating procedures
+established under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Alignment of Agreements.--The standard operating
+procedures under subsection (a)(1) shall include a requirement that
+each fire suppression cost-share agreement shall be aligned with each
+cooperative fire protection agreement applicable to the entity subject
+to the fire suppression cost-share agreement.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Payments.--With respect to payments made pursuant to a
+fire suppression cost-share agreement, the standard operating
+procedures under subsection (a)(1) shall require that the Federal
+paying entity shall reimburse a local fire department or a State
+wildland firefighter agency if that entity submits to the Federal
+paying entity an invoice in accordance with applicable cost settlement
+procedures.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
+the Secretaries should carry out reciprocal fire suppression cost-share
+agreement repayments to local fire suppression organizations and State
+wildland firefighting agencies as soon as practicable, but not later
+than 1 year, after the date on which the applicable fire suppression
+occurs.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>TITLE III--TRANSPARENCY, TECHNOLOGY, AND
+PARTNERSHIPS</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>Subtitle A--Transparency and Technology</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 301. BIOCHAR INNOVATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR
+CONSERVATION, HEALTH, AND ADVANCEMENTS IN
+RESEARCH.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Biochar.--The term ``biochar'' means
+carbonized biomass produced by converting feedstock through
+reductive thermal processing for a nonfuel use.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity''
+means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) a unit of State, Tribal, or local
+government;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) a special district;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) an eligible institution;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) a public, private, or cooperative
+entity or organization;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) a National Laboratory (as defined in
+section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
+15801)); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) a partnership or consortium of 2 or
+more entities described in subparagraphs (A) through
+(E).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Eligible institution.--The term ``eligible
+institution'' means a land-grant college or university,
+including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) an 1862 Institution (as defined in
+section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and
+Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.
+7601));</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) an 1890 Institution (as defined in
+that section);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) an institution that is eligible to
+receive funding under Public Law 87-788 (commonly known
+as the ``McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962''); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) a 1994 Institution (as defined in
+section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant
+Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-
+382)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Feedstock.--The term ``feedstock'' means
+excess biomass in the form of plant matter or materials that
+serves as the raw material for the production of
+biochar.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the Secretary, acting through the
+Chief of the Forest Service;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the Secretary of the Interior, acting
+through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) the Secretary of Energy, acting
+through the Director of the Office of
+Science.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Demonstration Projects.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Establishment.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) In general.--Subject to the
+availability of appropriations made in advance for that
+purpose, not later than 2 years after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall establish
+a program under which the Secretaries shall enter into
+partnerships with eligible entities to carry out
+demonstration projects to support the development and
+commercialization of biochar in accordance with this
+subsection.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Location.--In carrying out the program
+established under subparagraph (A), the Secretaries
+shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enter into
+partnerships with eligible entities in a manner that
+ensures that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) at least 1 demonstration
+project is carried out in each region of the
+Forest Service; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) at least 1 demonstration
+project is carried out in each region of the
+Bureau of Land Management.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Proposals.--To be eligible to enter into a
+partnership under paragraph (1)(A), an eligible entity shall
+submit to the Secretaries a proposal at such time, in such
+manner, and containing such information as the Secretaries may
+require.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Priority.--In selecting proposals under
+paragraph (2), the Secretaries shall give priority to entering
+into partnerships with eligible entities that submit proposals
+to carry out biochar demonstration projects that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) have the most potential to improve
+forest health and resiliency;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) have the most potential to create new
+jobs and contribute to local economies, particularly in
+rural areas;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) have the most potential to
+demonstrate--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) new and innovative uses of
+biochar;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) market viability for cost-
+effective biochar-based products;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) the restorative benefits of
+biochar with respect to forest health and
+resiliency, including forest soils and
+watersheds; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) any combination of the
+purposes described in clauses (i) through
+(iii);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) are located in areas that have a high
+need for biochar production, as determined by the
+Secretaries, due to--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) nearby land identified as
+having high, very high, or extreme risk of
+wildfire;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) availability of sufficient
+quantities of feedstocks; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) a high level of demand for
+biochar or other commercial byproducts of
+biochar; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) satisfy any combination of the
+purposes described in subparagraphs (A) through
+(D).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Use of funds.--In carrying out the program
+established under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretaries may enter
+into partnerships and provide funding to the partnerships to
+carry out demonstration projects--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) to acquire and test various feedstocks
+and the efficacy of those feedstocks;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) to develop and optimize commercially
+and technologically viable biochar production units,
+including mobile and permanent units;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) to demonstrate--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) the production of biochar from
+forest residue; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) the use of biochar to restore
+forest health and resiliency;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) to build, expand, or establish biochar
+facilities;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) to conduct research relating to new
+and innovative uses of biochar;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) to demonstrate cost-effective market
+opportunities for biochar and biochar-based
+products;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (G) to carry out any other activities the
+Secretaries determine to be appropriate; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (H) to achieve any combination of the
+purposes described in subparagraphs (A) through
+(G).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) Feedstock requirements.--To the maximum extent
+practicable, an eligible entity that carries out a biochar
+demonstration project under this subsection shall derive not
+less than 50 percent of the feedstock used under the project
+from forest thinning and management activities, including mill
+residues, conducted on National Forest System land or public
+land.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) Review.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Secretaries shall
+conduct regionally specific research, including
+economic analyses and lifecycle assessments, relating
+to any biochar produced from a demonstration project
+carried out under the program established under
+paragraph (1)(A), including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) the effects of that biochar
+on--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) forest health and
+resiliency;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) carbon capture and
+sequestration, including increasing
+soil carbon in the short-term and long-
+term;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (III) productivity,
+reduced input costs, and water
+retention in agricultural
+practices;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (IV) the health of soil
+and grasslands used for grazing
+activities, including grazing
+activities on National Forest System
+land and public land; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (V) environmental
+remediation activities, including
+abandoned mine land
+remediation;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) the effectiveness of biochar
+as a coproduct of biofuels or in biochemicals;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) the effectiveness of other
+potential uses of biochar to determine if any
+such use is technologically and commercially
+viable.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Coordination.--The Secretaries, to the
+maximum extent practicable, shall provide data,
+analyses, and other relevant information collected
+under subparagraph (A) to recipients of grants under
+subsection (c).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (7) Limitation on funding for establishing biochar
+facilities.--The amount provided by the Secretaries under this
+subsection to an eligible entity for establishing a biochar
+facility may not exceed 35 percent of the total capital cost of
+establishing that facility.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Biochar Research and Development Grant Program.--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Establishment.--The Secretary of the Interior,
+in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall establish,
+or expand an existing, applied biochar research and development
+grant program to provide to eligible institutions grants, on a
+competitive basis, to carry out the activities described in
+paragraph (3).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a
+grant under this subsection, an eligible institution shall
+submit to the Secretary of the Interior a proposal at such
+time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
+Secretary of the Interior may require.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Use of funds.--An eligible institution that
+receives a grant under this subsection shall use the grant
+funds to conduct applied research relating to--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the effect of biochar on forest health
+and resiliency, taking into account variations in
+biochar, soil, climate, and other factors;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the effect of biochar on soil health
+and water retention, taking into account variations in
+biochar, soil, climate, and other factors;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) the long-term carbon sequestration
+potential of biochar;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) best management practices with respect
+to biochar and biochar-based products that maximize--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) carbon sequestration benefits;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) the commercial viability and
+application of those products in forestry,
+agriculture, environmental remediation, water
+quality improvement, and any other similar
+uses, as determined by the Secretary of the
+Interior;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) the regional uses of biochar to
+increase productivity and profitability, including--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) uses in agriculture and
+environmental remediation; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) use as a coproduct in fuel
+production;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) new and innovative uses for biochar
+byproducts; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (G) opportunities to expand markets for
+biochar and create related jobs, particularly in rural
+areas.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Reports.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Report to congress.--Not later than 2 years
+after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall
+submit to Congress a report that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) includes policy and program
+recommendations to improve the widespread use of
+biochar;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) identifies any area of research needed
+to advance biochar commercialization; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) identifies barriers to advancing
+biochar commercialization, including permitting and
+siting considerations.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Materials submitted in support of president's
+budget.--Beginning with the second fiscal year that begins
+after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually
+thereafter until the date described in subsection (e), the
+Secretaries shall include in the materials submitted to
+Congress in support of the President's budget pursuant to
+section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, a report
+describing, for the fiscal year covered by the report, the
+status of--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) each demonstration project carried out
+under subsection (b); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) each research and development grant
+provided under subsection (c).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) Sunset.--The authority to carry out this section
+terminates on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of
+this Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 302. ACCURATE HAZARDOUS FUELS REDUCTION
+REPORTS.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means
+any land under the jurisdiction of--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the Secretary; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the Secretary of the
+Interior.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Hazardous fuels reduction activity.--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) In general.--The term ``hazardous
+fuels reduction activity'' means any vegetation
+management activity to reduce the risk of wildfire,
+including mechanical treatments, grazing, and
+prescribed burning.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Exclusion.--The term ``hazardous fuels
+reduction activity'' does not include the provision or
+execution of a contract to carry out an activity
+described in subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Materials Submitted in Support of President's
+Budget.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--Beginning with the first fiscal
+year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act, and
+annually thereafter, the Secretary concerned shall include in
+the materials submitted to Congress in support of the
+President's budget pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United
+States Code, a report describing the number of acres of Federal
+land on which the Secretary concerned carried out hazardous
+fuels reduction activities during the preceding fiscal year, as
+determined using--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the methodology of the Secretary
+concerned in effect on the day before the date of
+enactment of this Act; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the methodology described in paragraph
+(2).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Requirements.--For purposes of a report
+required under paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) in determining the number of acres of
+Federal land on which the Secretary concerned carried
+out hazardous fuels reduction activities during the
+period covered by the report--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) record acres of Federal land
+on which hazardous fuels reduction activities
+were completed during that period;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) record each acre described in
+clause (i) once in the report, regardless of
+whether multiple hazardous fuels reduction
+activities were carried out on that acre during
+the applicable period; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) with respect to the acres of Federal
+land recorded in the report, include information
+relating to--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) which acres are located in the
+wildland-urban interface;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) the level of wildfire risk
+(high, moderate, or low) of the acres on the
+first and last day of the period covered by the
+report;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iii) the types of hazardous fuels
+reduction activities completed with respect to
+the acres, including a description of whether
+those hazardous fuels reduction activities were
+conducted--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) in a wildfire managed
+for resource benefits; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (II) through a planned
+hazardous fuels reduction
+project;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (iv) the cost per-acre of the
+hazardous fuels reduction activities carried
+out during the period covered by the
+report;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (v) the region or System unit in
+which the acres are located; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (vi) the effectiveness of the
+hazardous fuels reduction activities with
+respect to reducing the risk of
+wildfire.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Transparency.--The Secretary concerned shall
+make each report submitted under paragraph (1) publicly
+available on the website of the Department of Agriculture or
+the Department of the Interior, as applicable.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Accurate Data Collection.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
+date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall
+implement standardized procedures for tracking data relating to
+hazardous fuels reduction activities carried out by the
+Secretary concerned.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Elements.--The standardized procedures
+required under paragraph (1) shall include--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) regular, standardized data reviews of
+the accuracy and timely input of data used to track
+hazardous fuels reduction activities;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) verification methods that validate
+whether those data accurately correlate to the
+hazardous fuels reduction activities carried out by the
+Secretary concerned;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) an analysis of the short- and long-
+term effectiveness of the hazardous fuels reduction
+activities on reducing the risk of wildfire;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) for hazardous fuels reduction
+activities that occur partially within the wildland-
+urban interface, methods to distinguish which acres are
+located within the wildland-urban interface and which
+acres are located outside the wildland-urban
+interface.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Report.--Not later than 14 days after
+implementing the standardized procedures required under
+paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall submit to Congress
+a report that describes--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the standardized procedures;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) any programmatic or policy
+recommendations to Congress to address limitations in
+tracking data relating to hazardous fuels reduction
+activities under this subsection.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) GAO Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
+shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) conduct a study regarding the implementation
+of this section, including any limitations with respect to--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) reporting hazardous fuels reduction
+activities under subsection (b); or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) tracking data relating to hazardous
+fuels reduction activities under subsection (c);
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) submit to Congress a report that describes the
+results of the study under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) No Additional Funds Authorized.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--No additional funds are
+authorized to carry out this section.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Subject to appropriations.--The activities
+authorized by this section are subject to the availability of
+appropriations made in advance for those purposes.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 303. PUBLIC-PRIVATE WILDFIRE TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT AND
+DEMONSTRATION PARTNERSHIP.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Covered agency.--The term ``covered agency''
+means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) each Federal land management agency
+(as defined in section 802 of the Federal Lands
+Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801));</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the Department of Defense;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) the Bureau of Indian
+Affairs;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
+Administration;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) the Federal Emergency Management
+Agency;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) the National Aeronautics and Space
+Administration;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (G) the United States Fire
+Administration;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (H) a State, Tribal, county, or municipal
+fire department or district operating through the
+United States Fire Administration or pursuant to an
+agreement with a Federal agency; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (I) any other Federal agency involved in
+wildfire response.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity''
+means--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) a private entity;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) a nonprofit organization;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) an institution of higher education (as
+defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of
+1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Pilot program.--The term ``Pilot Program''
+means the deployment and demonstration pilot program
+established under subsection (b).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means
+the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior, acting
+jointly.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date
+of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries, in coordination with the
+heads of the covered agencies, shall establish a deployment and
+demonstration pilot program for new and innovative wildfire prevention,
+detection, communication, and mitigation technologies.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Functions.--In carrying out the Pilot Program, the
+Secretaries shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) incorporate the Pilot Program into the
+National Wildfire Coordinating Group;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in consultation with the heads of the covered
+agencies, identify and advance the demonstration and deployment
+of key technology priority areas with respect to the deployment
+of wildfire prevention, detection, communication, and
+mitigation technologies, including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) hazardous fuels reduction activities
+or treatments;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) dispatch communications;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) remote sensing, detection, and
+tracking;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) safety equipment;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) common operating pictures or
+operational dashboards; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) interoperable commercial data;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) connect each covered entity selected to
+participate in the Pilot Program with the appropriate covered
+agency to coordinate real-time and on-the-ground testing of
+technology during wildfire mitigation activities and
+training.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Applications.--To be eligible to participate in the
+Pilot Program, a covered entity shall submit to the Secretaries an
+application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
+information as the Secretaries may require, including a proposal to
+demonstrate technologies specific to key technology priority areas
+identified under subsection (c)(2).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) Prioritization of Emerging Technologies.--In selecting
+covered entities to participate in the Pilot Program, the Secretaries
+shall give priority to covered entities that--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) have participated in the Fire Weather Testbed
+of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
+or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) propose in the application under subsection
+(d) to develop and apply emerging technologies for wildfire
+mitigation, including artificial intelligence, quantum sensing,
+computing and quantum-hybrid applications, satellite detection,
+augmented reality, 5G private networks, and device-to-device
+communications supporting nomadic mesh networks and
+detection.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (f) Outreach.--The Secretaries, in coordination with the
+heads of the covered agencies, shall make publicly available the key
+technology priority areas identified under subsection (c)(2) and invite
+covered entities to apply under subsection (d) to deploy and
+demonstrate technologies to address those priority areas.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (g) Reports and Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year
+after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for
+the duration of the Pilot Program, the Secretaries shall submit to the
+Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the
+Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
+Representatives, and the relevant committees of Congress a report that
+includes the following with respect to the Pilot Program:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) A list of participating covered
+entities.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) A brief description of the technologies
+deployed and demonstrated by each such covered
+entity.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) An estimate of the cost of acquiring the each
+such technology and applying the technology at scale.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Outreach efforts by covered agencies to
+covered entities developing wildfire technologies.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) Assessments of, and recommendations relating
+to, new technologies with potential adoption and application
+at-scale in the wildfire prevention, detection, communication,
+and mitigation efforts of Federal land management agencies (as
+defined in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation
+Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) A description of the relationship and
+coordination between the Pilot Program and the activities of
+the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including
+the Fire Weather Testbed.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (h) Sunset.--The Pilot Program terminates on the date that
+is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 304. GAO STUDY ON FOREST SERVICE POLICIES.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this
+Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) conduct a study evaluating--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the effectiveness of Forest Service
+wildland firefighting operations;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) transparency and accountability
+measures in the budget and accounting process of the
+Forest Service; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) the suitability and feasibility of
+establishing a new Federal agency with responsibility
+for responding to, and suppressing, wildfires on
+Federal land; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) submit to Congress a report that describes the
+results of the study under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 305. KEEPING FOREST PLANS CURRENT AND
+MONITORED.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Secretary shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) to the maximum extent practicable and subject
+to the availability of appropriations--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) ensure that each forest plan for a
+unit of the National Forest System is in compliance
+with the applicable requirements of section 6(f)(5)(A)
+of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources
+Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604(f)(5)(A));
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) prioritize revising any forest plan
+not in compliance with that section;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) not be considered to be in violation of
+section 6(f)(5)(A) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable
+Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604(f)(5)(A)) solely
+because more than 15 years have passed without revision of the
+plan for a unit of the National Forest System;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) not later than 120 days after the date of
+enactment of this Act, submit to the relevant committees of
+Congress a notice describing the date on which each forest plan
+referred to in paragraph (1)(A) was most recently revised,
+amended, or modified;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) seek to publish a new, complete version of any
+forest plan that the Secretary has been directed by court order
+to amend, revise, or modify by not later than 60 days after the
+date of the amendment, revision, or modification, subject to
+the availability of appropriations made in advance for that
+purpose; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) maintain a central, publicly accessible
+website with links to--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the most recently available forest
+plan adopted, amended, or modified by a court order as
+a single document; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the most recently published forest
+plan monitoring report for the unit.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Good Faith Updates.--If the Secretary fails to act
+expeditiously and in good faith using available funding to revise,
+amend, or modify a plan for a unit of the National Forest System as
+required by an applicable law or court order--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) subsection (a) shall be void with respect to
+the plan; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) a court of competent jurisdiction may order
+completion of the plan on an accelerated basis.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the relevant
+committees of Congress a report summarizing the implementation of this
+section.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Sunset.--The authority under this section terminates
+on September 30, 2031.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 306. CONTAINER AERIAL FIREFIGHTING SYSTEM.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Evaluation.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior,
+in consultation with the National Interagency Aviation Committee and
+the Interagency Airtanker Board, shall jointly conduct an evaluation of
+the container aerial firefighting system to assess the use of that
+system to mitigate and suppress wildfires.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior,
+in consultation with the National Interagency Aviation Committee and
+the Interagency Airtanker Board, shall jointly submit to the relevant
+committees of Congress a report that describes the results of the
+evaluation under subsection (a).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 307. STUDY ON PINE BEETLE INFESTATION.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
+Act, the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service,
+shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) carry out a study relating to the causes and
+effects of, and solutions for, the infestation of pine beetles
+in the Northeastern region of the United States; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) submit to the relevant committees of Congress
+a report that describes the results of the study under
+paragraph (1).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>Subtitle B--White Oak Resilience</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 311. WHITE OAK RESTORATION INITIATIVE
+COALITION.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) In General.--There is established a coalition, to be
+known as the ``White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition'' (referred
+to in this section as the ``Coalition'')--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) as a voluntary collaborative group of Federal,
+State, Tribal, and local governments and private and
+nongovernmental organizations the purpose of which is to carry
+out the duties described in subsection (b); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) in accordance with the charter entitled
+``White Oak Initiative Coalition Charter'' adopted by the White
+Oak Initiative Board of Directors on March 21, 2023 (or a
+successor charter).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Duties.--In addition to the duties specified in the
+charter referred to in subsection (a)(2), the duties of the Coalition
+are--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) to coordinate Federal, State, Tribal, local,
+private, and nongovernmental activities for the restoration of
+white oak trees in the United States; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) to make program and policy recommendations,
+consistent with applicable forest management plans, with
+respect to--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) changes necessary to address Federal
+and State policies that impede activities to improve
+the health, resiliency, and natural regeneration of
+white oak trees;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) adopting or modifying Federal and
+State policies to increase the pace and scale of white
+oak regeneration and the resiliency of white oak
+trees;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) options to enhance communication,
+coordination, and collaboration among forest land
+owners, particularly with respect to cross-boundary
+projects, to improve the health, resiliency, and
+natural regeneration of white oak trees;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) research gaps that should be addressed
+to improve the best available science on white
+oaks;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) outreach to forest landowners the land
+of which possesses white oak trees or white oak
+regeneration potential, as determined by the Coalition;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) options and policies necessary to
+improve the quality and quantity of white oak trees in
+tree nurseries.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Administrative, Staffing, and Technical Support.--The
+Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior shall make available to the
+Coalition such personnel for administrative support, technical
+services, and the development and dissemination of educational
+materials as those Secretaries determine to be necessary to carry out
+this section.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Private Funding.--Subject to the availability of
+appropriations made in advance for that purpose, the Secretary may make
+funds available to the Coalition to carry out this section from the
+account established pursuant to section 1241(f) of the Food Security
+Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(f)).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 312. FOREST SERVICE PILOT PROGRAM.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief
+of the Forest Service, shall establish and carry out 5 pilot projects
+in units of the National Forest System to restore white oak trees in
+those units through white oak restoration and natural regeneration
+practices that are consistent with applicable forest management
+plans.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Requirement.--Of the pilot projects carried out under
+subsection (a), not fewer than 3 shall be carried out on units of the
+National Forest System that are reserved or withdrawn from the public
+domain.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into
+cooperative agreements to carry out the pilot projects under this
+section.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Sunset.--The authority under this section terminates
+on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this
+Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 313. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WHITE OAK REVIEW AND
+RESTORATION.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Assessment.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior
+shall carry out an assessment of land under the administrative
+jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior, including fish
+and wildlife refuges and abandoned mine land, to evaluate--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) whether white oak trees are present on
+the land; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the potential to restore white oak
+forests on the land.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Use of information.--In carrying out the
+assessment under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Interior
+may use information from sources other than the Department of
+the Interior, including the White Oak Initiative and the Forest
+Service.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date
+of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall
+submit to Congress, and make publicly available on the website
+of the Department of the Interior, a report describing the
+results of the assessment carried out under this
+subsection.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Pilot Projects.--After the date of submission of the
+report under subsection (a)(3), the Secretary of the Interior shall
+establish and carry out 5 pilot projects in different areas of land
+described in subsection (a)(1) to restore and naturally regenerate
+white oak trees.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary of the Interior
+may enter into cooperative agreements to carry out the pilot projects
+under subsection (b).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Sunset.--The authority under this section terminates
+on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this
+Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 314. WHITE OAK REGENERATION AND UPLAND OAK
+HABITAT.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
+of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a nonregulatory
+program, to be known as the ``White Oak and Upland Oak Habitat
+Regeneration Program'' (referred to in this section as the
+``Program'').</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Program shall include--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) coordinating restoration and conservation
+activities among Federal, State, local, and Tribal entities and
+conservation partners to address white oak restoration
+priorities;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) improving and regenerating white oak and
+upland oak forests and the wildlife habitat such forests
+provide;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) carrying out coordinated restoration and
+conservation activities that lead to the increased growth of
+species of white oak in native white oak regions on Federal,
+State, Tribal, and private land;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) facilitating strategic planning to maximize
+the resilience of white oak systems and habitats under changing
+climate conditions;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) engaging the public through outreach,
+education, and citizen involvement to increase capacity and
+support for coordinated restoration and conservation activities
+for species of white oak; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) increasing scientific capacity to support the
+planning, monitoring, and research activities necessary to
+carry out such coordinated restoration and conservation
+activities.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Consultation.--In establishing the Program, the
+Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall
+consult with--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) the heads of Federal agencies, including--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the Director of the United States Fish
+and Wildlife Service; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) the Chief of the Natural Resources
+Conservation Service; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) the Governor of each State in which
+restoration efforts will be carried out pursuant to the
+Program.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Duties.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary
+shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) draw on the best available science and
+management plans for species of white oak to identify,
+prioritize, and implement restoration and conservation
+activities that will improve the growth of white oak trees in
+the United States;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) collaborate and coordinate with the White Oak
+Restoration Initiative Coalition established by section 311(a)
+to prioritize white oak restoration initiatives;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) adopt a white oak restoration strategy that--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) supports the implementation of a
+shared set of science-based restoration and
+conservation activities developed in accordance with
+paragraph (1);</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) targets cost-effective projects with
+measurable results; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) maximizes restoration outcomes with no
+net gain of Federal full-time equivalent employees;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) establish voluntary grant and technical
+assistance programs in accordance with subsection
+(e).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (e) Grants and Assistance.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation''
+means the National Fish and Wildlife
+Foundation.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Grant program.--The term ``grant
+program'' means the voluntary grant and technical
+assistance program established under paragraph
+(2).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Establishment.--To the extent that funds are
+available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall
+establish a voluntary grant and technical assistance program to
+achieve the purposes of the Program described in subsection
+(b).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) Administration.--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Secretary shall offer
+to enter into a cooperative agreement with the
+Foundation to manage and administer the grant
+program.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) Funding.--Subject to the availability
+of appropriations made in advance for that purpose, on
+entering into a cooperative agreement with the
+Foundation under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall
+pay to the Foundation to carry out this subsection for
+each fiscal year an advance payment of the entire
+amount for the applicable fiscal year--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (i) on October 1 of that fiscal
+year; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (ii) as soon as practicable
+thereafter.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) Application of national fish and wildlife
+foundation establishment act.--Amounts received by the
+Foundation to carry out the grant program shall be subject to
+the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16
+U.S.C. 3701 et seq.), excluding section 10(a) of that Act (16
+U.S.C. 3709(a)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (f) Sunset.--The authority under this section terminates
+on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this
+Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 315. TREE NURSERY SHORTAGES.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the
+Forest Service, shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) develop and implement a national strategy to
+increase the capacity of Federal, State, Tribal, and private
+tree nurseries to address the nationwide shortage of tree
+seedlings; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) coordinate the strategy under paragraph (1)
+with--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) the national reforestation strategy of
+the Forest Service; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) each regional implementation plan for
+National Forests.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (a)
+shall--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) be based on the best available science and
+data; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) identify and address--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) regional seedling shortages of
+bareroot and container tree seedlings;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) regional reforestation opportunities
+and the seedling supply necessary to fulfill those
+opportunities;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) opportunities to enhance seedling
+diversity and close gaps in seed inventories;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) barriers to expanding, enhancing, or
+creating new infrastructure to increase nursery
+capacity.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 316. WHITE OAK RESEARCH.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Definition of Eligible Institution.--In this section,
+the term ``eligible institution'' means an institution of higher
+education, including an 1862 Institution, an 1890 Institution, and a
+1994 Institution (as those terms are defined in section 2 of the
+Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7
+U.S.C. 7601)).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Research.--The Secretary may enter into a memorandum
+of understanding with an Indian Tribe or an eligible institution to
+collaboratively conduct research relating to--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) white oak genes with resistance or tolerance
+to stress;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) white oak trees that exhibit vigor for the
+purpose of increasing survival and growth;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) establishing a genetically diverse white oak
+seed bank capable of responding to stressors;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) providing a sustainable supply of white oak
+seedlings and genetic resources;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) improved methods for aligning seed sources
+with the future climate at planting sites;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) reforestation of white oak trees through
+natural and artificial regeneration;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (7) improved methods for retaining and increasing
+white oak trees in forests;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (8) improved methods for reforesting abandoned
+mine land sites; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (9) economic and social aspects of white oak
+forest management across land ownerships.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Consultation.--In carrying out research under
+subsection (b), an Indian Tribe or eligible institution may consult
+with such States, nonprofit organizations, and other institutions of
+higher education and scientific entities as the Indian Tribe or
+eligible institution determines to be appropriate.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) Sunset.--The authority under this section terminates
+on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this
+Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 317. USDA FORMAL INITIATIVE.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief
+of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and in coordination with
+the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish a formal initiative on
+white oak trees--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) to reestablish white oak forests where
+appropriate;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) to improve the management of existing white
+oak forests to foster natural regeneration of white oak
+trees;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) to provide technical assistance to private
+landowners to reestablish, improve the management of, and
+naturally regenerate white oak trees;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) to improve and expand white oak nursery stock;
+and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) to adapt and improve white oak
+seedlings.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Sunset.--The authority under this section terminates
+on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this
+Act.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 318. USE OF AUTHORITIES.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary and the
+Secretary of the Interior shall use the authorities provided under this
+title in combination with other authorities to carry out projects,
+including--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) good neighbor agreements entered into under
+section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a)
+(as amended by this Act); and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) stewardship contracting projects entered into
+under section 604 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of
+2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591c) (as amended by this Act).</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>TITLE IV--ENSURING CASUALTY ASSISTANCE FOR
+FIREFIGHTERS</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED>SEC. 401. WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT CASUALTY ASSISTANCE
+PROGRAM.</DELETED>
+
+<DELETED> (a) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) Next-of-kin.--The term ``next-of-kin'', with
+respect to an individual, means a person in the highest
+category of priority in relation to that individual, as
+determined in accordance with the following (in descending
+order of priority):</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) A legal spouse of the
+individual.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) A child (whether by current or prior
+marriage) aged 18 years or older of the individual, in
+descending order of precedence by age.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) The father or mother of the
+individual, unless custody has been vested by court
+order in another individual, with an adoptive parent
+taking precedence over a natural parent.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (D) A sibling (whether whole or half) aged
+18 years or older of the individual, in descending
+order of precedence by age.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (E) A grandfather or grandmother of the
+individual.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (F) Any other relative of the individual,
+with the order of precedence to be determined in
+accordance with the civil laws of descent of the State
+of domicile of the individual at time of
+death.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) Program.--The term ``program'' means the
+Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance Program
+established under subsection (b).</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (b) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
+of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall establish
+a program, to be known as the ``Wildland Fire Management Casualty
+Assistance Program'', to provide assistance to the next-of-kin of--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) firefighters who, while in the line of duty--
+</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) are killed;</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) are critically injured; or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (C) suffer illness as a result of an
+exposure or incident occurring during that line of
+duty; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) wildland fire support personnel who are killed
+or critically injured in the line of duty.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (c) Elements.--The program shall address each of the
+following:</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (1) The initial, and any subsequent, notification
+to the next-of-kin of firefighters or wildland fire support
+personnel who--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) are killed in the line of duty;
+or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) require hospitalization or treatment
+at a medical facility due to a line-of-duty injury or
+illness.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (2) The reimbursement of next-of-kin for expenses
+associated with travel to visit firefighters or wildland fire
+support personnel who--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) are killed in the line of duty;
+or</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) require hospitalization or treatment
+at a medical facility due to a line-of-duty injury or
+illness.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (3) The qualifications, assignment, training,
+duties, supervision, and accountability for the performance of
+casualty assistance responsibilities.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (4) The relief or transfer of casualty assistance
+officers, including notification to survivors of critical
+injury or illness in the line of duty of the reassignment of
+those officers to other duties.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (5) Centralized short-term and long-term case
+management procedures for casualty assistance, including rapid
+access to expert case managers and counselors by--</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (A) survivors of firefighters or wildland
+fire support personnel; and</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (B) casualty assistance
+officers.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (6) The provision, through a computer-accessible
+website and other means and at no cost to survivors or next-of-
+kin of firefighters or wildland fire support personnel, of
+personalized, integrated information relating to Federal
+benefits and Federal financial assistance available to those
+survivors and next-of-kin.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (7) The provision to survivors and next-of-kin of
+firefighters or wildland fire support personnel of information
+relating to mechanisms for registering complaints about, or
+requests for, additional assistance related to casualty
+assistance.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (8) Liaison with the Department of Agriculture,
+the Department of Justice, and the Social Security
+Administration to ensure prompt and accurate resolution of
+issues relating to benefits administered by those agencies for
+survivors of firefighters or wildland fire support
+personnel.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (9) Data collection, in consultation with the
+United States Fire Administration and the National Institute
+for Occupational Safety and Health, regarding the incidence and
+quality of casualty assistance provided to survivors and next-
+of-kin of firefighters or wildland fire support
+personnel.</DELETED>
+<DELETED> (d) No Effect on Other Line-of-Duty Death Benefits.--The
+program shall not affect any existing authority for line-of-duty death
+benefits for Federal firefighters or wildland fire support
+personnel.</DELETED>
+
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Fix Our Forests
@@ -43,18 +4427,23 @@
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
+
TITLE I--LANDSCAPE-SCALE RESTORATION
Subtitle A--Addressing Emergency Wildfire Risks in High-priority
Firesheds
Sec. 101. Designation of fireshed management areas.
-Sec. 102. Wildfire Intelligence Center.
+Sec. 102. Wildland Fire Intelligence Center.
Sec. 103. Fireshed Registry.
Sec. 104. Shared stewardship.
Sec. 105. Fireshed assessments.
Sec. 106. Emergency fireshed management.
-Sec. 107. Sunset.
+Sec. 107. Study on the impacts of fireshed management projects on
+wildfire risk to communities and wildlife
+habitat.
+Sec. 108. Sunset.
+
Subtitle B--Expanding Collaborative Tools to Reduce Wildfire Risk and
Improve Forest Health
@@ -69,29 +4458,39 @@
Sec. 118. Water Source Protection Program.
Sec. 119. Watershed Condition Framework technical corrections.
Sec. 120. Tribal forest protection management activities and projects.
+Sec. 121. Establishment of regional wildland fire research centers.
+Sec. 122. Contracts, grants, and agreements to carry out certain
+ecosystem restoration activities.
+Sec. 123. Reforestation of land destroyed by Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon
+Fire.
+Sec. 124. Contract preference for local contractors for certain
+hazardous fuel reduction projects.
+
Subtitle C--Litigation Reform
-Sec. 121. Commonsense litigation reform.
-Sec. 122. Consultation on forest plans.
+Sec. 131. Litigation reform.
+Sec. 132. Consultation on forest plans.
+
Subtitle D--Prescribed Fire
-Sec. 131. Prescribed fire eligible activities, policies, and practices.
-Sec. 132. Human resources.
-Sec. 133. Liability of prescribed fire managers.
-Sec. 134. Environmental review.
-Sec. 135. Cooperative agreements and contracts for prescribed fire.
-Sec. 136. Facilitating responsible use of prescribed fire.
-TITLE II--PROTECTING COMMUNITIES IN WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE
+Sec. 141. Prescribed fire eligible activities, policies, and practices.
+Sec. 142. Human resources.
+Sec. 143. Liability of prescribed fire managers.
+Sec. 144. Environmental review.
+Sec. 145. Cooperative agreements and contracts for prescribed fire.
+Sec. 146. Facilitating responsible use of prescribed fire.
+
+TITLE II--PROTECTING COMMUNITIES AT RISK
Subtitle A--Community Wildfire Risk Reduction
Sec. 201. Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program.
Sec. 202. Community Wildfire Defense Research Program.
-Sec. 203. Community wildfire defense accountability.
-Sec. 204. Community wildfire defense grant program improvements.
-Sec. 205. Updated definition of at-risk community.
-Subtitle B--Vegetation Management, Reforestation, and Local Fire
-Suppression
+Sec. 203. Community wildfire defense grant program improvements.
+Sec. 204. Updated definition of at-risk community.
+
+Subtitle B--Vegetation Management, Reforestation, and Local Fire Risk
+Mitigation
Sec. 211. Vegetation management, facility inspection, and operation and
maintenance relating to electric
@@ -104,6 +4503,7 @@
projects.
Sec. 216. Reforestation, nurseries, and genetic resources support.
Sec. 217. Fire department repayment.
+
TITLE III--TRANSPARENCY, TECHNOLOGY, AND PARTNERSHIPS
Subtitle A--Transparency and Technology
@@ -117,6 +4517,8 @@
Sec. 305. Keeping forest plans current and monitored.
Sec. 306. Container Aerial Firefighting System.
Sec. 307. Study on pine beetle infestation.
+Sec. 308. Study on wildfire smoke.
+
Subtitle B--White Oak Resilience
Sec. 311. White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition.
@@ -125,11 +4527,22 @@
Sec. 314. White oak regeneration and upland oak habitat.
Sec. 315. Tree nursery shortages.
Sec. 316. White oak research.
-Sec. 317. USDA formal initiative.
-Sec. 318. Use of authorities.
+Sec. 317. National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
+Sec. 318. USDA formal initiative.
+Sec. 319. Use of authorities.
+
TITLE IV--ENSURING CASUALTY ASSISTANCE FOR FIREFIGHTERS
Sec. 401. Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance Program.
+
+TITLE V--OTHER MATTERS
+
+Sec. 501. Use of funds from cooperative funds agreements.
+Sec. 502. Emergency forest watershed program.
+Sec. 503. Improving the Emergency Conservation Program.
+Sec. 504. Improving the Emergency Forest Restoration Program.
+Sec. 505. Establishment of a unified disaster assistance intake process
+and system.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
@@ -138,7 +4551,7 @@
meaning given the term in section 303(a) of the Healthy Forests
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6542(a)).
(2) Executive director.--The term ``Executive Director''
-means the Executive Director of the Wildfire Intelligence
+means the Executive Director of the Wildland Fire Intelligence
Center appointed under section 102(g).
(3) Fireshed.--The term ``fireshed'' means a landscape-
scale area, as delineated using methods developed through
@@ -153,12 +4566,18 @@
(A) A hazardous fuels management activity.
(B) Creating a fuel break or fire break.
(C) Removing hazard trees, dead trees, or dying
-trees, as determined by a responsible official.
+trees, as determined by a certified or licensed
+arborist or forester under the supervision of the
+Secretary concerned.
(D) Developing, approving, or conducting routine
-maintenance under a vegetation management, facility
-inspection, and operation and maintenance plan under
-section 512(c) of the Federal Land Policy and
-Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1772(c)).
+maintenance under--
+(i) a vegetation management, facility
+inspection, and operation and maintenance plan
+under subsection (c) of section 512 of the
+Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
+(43 U.S.C. 1772); or
+(ii) an agreement under subsection (d)(1)
+of that section (43 U.S.C. 1772).
(E) Removing trees to address overstocking or
crowding in a forest stand, consistent with achieving
the appropriate basal area of the forest stand, as
@@ -181,11 +4600,11 @@
Management for public land pursuant to section 202 of
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1712);
-(B) a land and resource management plan prepared by
-the Forest Service for a unit of the National Forest
-System pursuant to section 6 of the Forest and
-Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16
-U.S.C. 1604); and
+(B) a land management plan prepared by the Forest
+Service for a unit of the National Forest System
+pursuant to section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland
+Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C.
+1604); and
(C) a forest management plan (as defined in section
304 of the National Indian Forest Resources Management
Act (25 U.S.C. 3103)) with respect to Indian forest
@@ -199,8 +4618,7 @@
management activity, or any combination of such activities,
that reduces the risk of wildfire, including mechanical
thinning, mastication, prescribed burning, cultural burning (as
-determined by an applicable Indian Tribe), timber harvest, and
-grazing.
+determined by an Indian Tribe), timber harvest, and grazing.
(10) HFRA terms.--The terms ``at-risk community'',
``community wildfire protection plan'', and ``wildland-urban
interface'' have the meanings given those terms in section 101
@@ -243,9 +4661,12 @@
committees of Congress'' means--
(A) in the Senate--
(i) the Committee on Agriculture,
-Nutrition, and Forestry; and
+Nutrition, and Forestry;
(ii) the Committee on Energy and Natural
-Resources; and
+Resources;
+(iii) the Committee on Indian Affairs; and
+(iv) the Committee on Homeland Security and
+Governmental Affairs; and
(B) in the House of Representatives--
(i) the Committee on Agriculture; and
(ii) the Committee on Natural Resources.
@@ -266,7 +4687,8 @@
(B) was established by, or pursuant to, the laws of
the State for the purpose of performing a limited and
specific governmental or proprietary function primarily
-relating to land management; and
+relating to forest, watershed, or rangeland management
+or water supply; and
(C) is distinct from any other unit of local
government within the State.
(20) State.--The term ``State'' means--
@@ -282,74 +4704,84 @@
SEC. 101. DESIGNATION OF FIRESHED MANAGEMENT AREAS.
(a) Designations.--
-(1) Initial designations.--Subject to paragraph (4), for
-the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this
-Act, the following firesheds are designated as fireshed
-management areas:
+(1) Initial fireshed designations.--For the 5-year period
+beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the firesheds
+of the United States shall comprise--
+(A) the 7,688 firesheds described in the report
+published by the Rocky Mountain Research Station of the
+Forest Service in 2021; and
+(B) the additional 1,262 firesheds in the States of
+Alaska and Hawaii and the territories of the United
+States designated by the Secretary in the same manner
+as the firesheds designated in the report described in
+subparagraph (A).
+(2) Initial fireshed management area designations.--Subject
+to paragraph (5), for the period beginning not later than 30
+days after the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the
+date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act,
+each Secretary concerned shall designate and make publicly
+available on the website of the Secretary concerned a map of
+the following fireshed management areas:
(A) Each landscape-scale fireshed identified as a
``high-risk fireshed'' in the document published by the
-Forest Service entitled ``Wildfire Crisis Strategy''
-and dated January 2022.
-(B) Of the 7,688 firesheds described in the report
-published by the Rocky Mountain Research Station of the
-Forest Service in 2019, each landscape-scale fireshed
-identified by the Secretary, in consultation with the
-Secretary of the Interior, as being in the top 20
-percent for wildfire exposure based on the following
-criteria:
+Forest Service entitled ``Wildfire Crisis Strategy'',
+dated January 2022, and expanded in 2023.
+(B) The top 20 percent of firesheds in the
+continental United States, and the top 25 percent of
+firesheds in the continental United States if the
+fireshed has a historical presence of Picea glauca var.
+densata, identified by the Secretary for wildfire
+exposure based on the following criteria:
(i) Wildfire exposure and corresponding
risk to communities, including risk to life,
critical infrastructure, and other structures.
(ii) Wildfire exposure and corresponding
risk to municipal watersheds, including Tribal
water supplies and systems.
-(iii) Risk of vegetation type conversion
-due to wildfire, based on information from
-existing forest plans, State forest action
-plans, and best available science.
-(2) Designations in alaska, hawaii, and territories.--Not
-later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
-Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior,
-shall designate in the States of Alaska and Hawaii and the
-territories of the United States such additional fireshed
-management areas as the Secretaries determine to be
-appropriate, based on the criteria described in clauses (i)
-through (iii) of paragraph (1)(B).
-(3) Map-based updated designations.--
-(A) Map of firesheds.--Not later than the date that
-is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and
-not less frequently than once every 5 years thereafter,
-the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of
-the Interior, shall submit to the relevant committees
-of Congress an updated map of firesheds, which shall--
+(3) Initial designations in alaska, hawaii, and
+territories.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall designate in the
+States of Alaska and Hawaii and the territories of the United
+States such additional fireshed management areas as the
+Secretary determines to be appropriate, based on the criteria
+described in clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (2)(B).
+(4) Map-based updated designations.--
+(A) Map of firesheds.--Not later than 5 years after
+the date of enactment of this Act, and not less
+frequently than once every 5 years thereafter, the
+Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the
+Interior, shall submit to the relevant committees of
+Congress an updated map of the firesheds of the United
+States, which shall--
(i) be based on the Fireshed Registry; and
(ii) include firesheds in the States of
Alaska and Hawaii and the territories of the
United States.
(B) Fireshed management areas.--Not later than 60
days after submitting an updated fireshed map under
-subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall designate as a
-fireshed management area each fireshed depicted on that
-map that the Secretary, in consultation with the
-Secretary of the Interior, identifies as being in the
-top 20 percent of firesheds at risk of wildfire
-exposure based on the criteria described in clauses (i)
-through (iii) of paragraph (1)(B) and in accordance
-with this section.
+subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall update the
+designations of fireshed management areas to reflect
+firesheds depicted on that map that the Secretary, in
+consultation with the Secretary of the Interior,
+identifies as being in the top 20 percent of firesheds
+at risk of wildfire exposure based on the criteria
+described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of section
+103(a)(3) and in accordance with this section.
(C) Publication.--The Secretary shall make each
updated map prepared under this paragraph publicly
available on the Fireshed Registry.
-(4) Land location and content.--A fireshed management area
+(5) Land location and content.--A fireshed management area
designated under this subsection--
(A) shall not overlap with any other fireshed
management area; and
(B) may contain Federal and non-Federal land,
including Indian forest land or rangeland.
-(5) Combining multiple firesheds.--On receipt of a request
-of an affected Governor, the Secretary, in consultation with
-the Secretary of the Interior, may expand a fireshed management
-area designated under this subsection to include more than 1
-fireshed.
+(6) Combining multiple firesheds.--The Secretary, in
+consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, if applicable,
+may expand a fireshed management area designated under this
+subsection to include more than 1 fireshed that is designated
+as a fireshed management area under the applicable criteria
+described in this section.
(b) Use.--The Secretary concerned may carry out fireshed management
projects on the fireshed management areas designated under this
section.
@@ -358,43 +4790,29 @@
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
-SEC. 102. WILDFIRE INTELLIGENCE CENTER.
+SEC. 102. WILDLAND FIRE INTELLIGENCE CENTER.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
-(1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Board governing
-the Center appointed under subsection (f).
-(2) Center.--The term ``Center'' means the Wildfire
+(1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Board of Directors
+governing the Center appointed under subsection (f).
+(2) Center.--The term ``Center'' means the Wildland Fire
Intelligence Center established under subsection (b).
+(3) Federal science agency; institution of higher
+education; land-grant colleges and universities; regional
+center; wildland fire; wildland fire management agencies;
+wildland fire research.--The terms ``Federal science agency'',
+``institution of higher education'', ``land-grant colleges and
+universities'', ``regional center'', ``wildland fire'',
+``wildland fire management agencies'', and ``wildland fire
+research'' have the meanings given those terms in section
+121(a).
+(4) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory''
+has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Energy
+Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
-enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior
-shall establish a joint office, to be known as the ``Wildfire
-Intelligence Center'', the duties of which are to study, plan,
-coordinate, and implement issues of joint concern among the Department
-of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior, including--
-(1) serving as the development and operational center for
-the comprehensive assessment and prediction of wildfires and
-fires that move into the built environment to provide decision
-support services to inform land and fuels management, community
-outreach and risk reduction, post-wildfire recovery and
-rehabilitation, and fire management and response activities
-carried out by entities, including--
-(A) the Federal Government;
-(B) State, Tribal, and local governments;
-(C) land managers;
-(D) incident management teams;
-(E) the National Interagency Coordination Center;
-(F) geographic coordination centers;
-(G) land, air, and water managers;
-(H) burned area rehabilitation teams;
-(I) public health entities; and
-(J) other entities identified by the Board;
-(2) facilitating collaboration and information sharing
-across Federal and State departments and agencies, Tribal
-entities, academia, and the private sector with respect to
-matters relating to wildfires; and
-(3) addressing such other issues as the Secretary and the
-Secretary of the Interior may identify as issues of joint
-interest in support of the functions of the Center described in
+enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall establish a joint office,
+to be known as the ``Wildland Fire Intelligence Center'', to serve
+Federal and non-Federal entities through the functions described in
subsection (d).
(c) Headquarters.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Board shall select from within the United
@@ -403,140 +4821,138 @@
(d) Functions.--The functions of the Center shall include the
following:
(1) Providing real-time, science-based, and data-rich
-scientific and technical analytical services, decision support,
-and predictive services across all phases of fire to inform
-pre-fire land and fuels management, pre-fire community and
-built environment risk reduction, active fire management and
+scientific and technical analytical services, modeling,
+monitoring, mapping, decision support, and predictive services
+across all phases of fire to inform land and fuels management
+(including prescribed fire), pre-fire community and built
+environment risk reduction, active fire management and
emergency response, and post-fire recovery in the built and
natural environments.
-(2) Assessing and monitoring wildfires and wildfire
-conditions across all phases of fire, including ignition,
-behavior, and spread, climate, weather, drought, soil moisture,
-fuel conditions, smoke, aerosols, fire severity, debris flows,
-and erosion.
-(3) Comprehensive modeling of wildfire behavior and risks,
-including ignitions, wildfire intensity and spread inside the
-built and natural environments, air quality, and dependence on
-burn history, vegetation conditions, climate, and weather.
-(4) Providing and procuring, if commercially available, and
-combining existing data, mapping, technological, and
-consultation services to support pre-, active, and post-fire
-activities, including--
+(2) Providing, disseminating, procuring, if commercially
+available, and combining existing data, mapping, technological,
+and consultation services to support pre-, active, and post-
+fire activities at the local, State, and national levels,
+including--
(A) creating and maintaining a real-time nationwide
-wildfire risk catalog by leveraging existing risk
-mapping at land management agencies;
-(B) assisting with the creation of evacuation plans
-for at-risk communities;
-(C) assisting with the creation of public safety
-power shutoff plans;
-(D) assisting with the creation and updating of
-wildfire response strategies, plans, and treatment and
-mitigation measures, including mitigation measures in
-the built environment and the development of community
-wildfire protection plans;
-(E) providing decision support and gridded and
+risk catalog, including the Fireshed Registry;
+(B) assisting with the creation of evacuation
+plans, public safety power shutoff plans, and wildfire
+mitigation and response strategies or plans (including
+built environment mitigation plans and community
+wildfire protection plans) for at-risk communities;
+(C) providing decision support and gridded and
point data forecast and assessment products in support
of operational and planning activities, including the
pre-positioning of wildfire suppression personnel and
-assets based on real-time-risk; and
-(F) assisting with the safe and effective use of
-prescribed fire.
-(5) Consolidating air quality monitoring and forecasting
-data to support health risk information to help inform risks to
-public health and protect the public from smoke impacts
-associated with wildfires, including providing planning
-guidance for safe and effective beneficial fire opportunities
-to prevent the risk of wildfires.
-(6) Providing accessible tools and products that support
-emergency and land management decisions relating to wildfire
-prevention, preparedness, and response, including risk
-assessment and contingency planning, which shall include the
-development of a data interface to assist and inform, in real-
-time, firefighters, first responders, and approved contractors
-in responding to wildfires, including the use of any
-observations by the civil, military, and intelligence
-communities of the Federal Government and commercial Earth
-observations.
-(7) Establishing an interoperable information technology
-infrastructure accessible by Federal agencies, State government
-offices, units of local government, and Tribal governments.
-(8) To the extent feasible, establishing data
+assets based on real-time-risk;
+(D) assisting with the safe and effective use of
+prescribed fire; and
+(E) developing a real-time data interface to assist
+and inform, in real time, firefighters, first
+responders, and approved contractors in responding to
+wildfires.
+(3) Consolidating air quality monitoring and forecasting
+data, including utilizing existing Federal programs, as
+appropriate, to help inform risks to public health and protect
+the public from smoke impacts associated with wildfires,
+including providing planning guidance for safe and effective
+beneficial fire opportunities to prevent the risk of wildfires.
+(4) Establishing information technology and data
interoperability through--
-(A) the development of common data standards;
-(B) the provision of comprehensive searchable data
-inventories;
+(A) the development of common data standards to
+protect confidential information;
+(B) comprehensive searchable data inventories;
(C) working with Tribal governments in nation-to-
-nation partnership;
+nation partnerships, with protections for Tribal data
+sovereignty;
(D) the integration and sharing of information and
-resources of the Federal Government and State and local
-governments to support the essential functions of the
-Center;
-(E) the development of data standards to protect
-confidential information that may be essential to the
-core functions of the Center;
-(F) regular updates and maintenance of research and
+resources of the Federal Government, States, local
+governments, and participating Indian Tribes, as
+determined by Tribal governments, to support the
+essential functions of the Center; and
+(E) regular updates and maintenance of research and
technology essential to achieving the core functions of
-the Center; and
-(G) the development and maintenance of a big-data
-architecture to compile, maintain, standardize, and
-evaluate data associated with the core functions of the
-Center.
-(9) In coordination with relevant Federal agencies and
-coordinating entities, as determined by the Board, and in
-consultation with State government agencies, units of local
-government, territories of the United States, and federally
-recognized Indian Tribes, developing, procuring where
-commercially available, and disseminating tools to support
-wildfire planning, risk reduction and response guidance,
-guidelines, maps, and training materials to help inform State,
-territorial, local, and Tribal governments and decisionmakers
-with respect to--
-(A) the use and implementations of wildfire risk
-assessments;
-(B) the applied use of the database and information
-developed under paragraphs (7) and (8);
-(C) reducing losses from wildfires;
-(D) increasing benefits from wildfires;
-(E) resources available for communities and
-responders working to improve wildfire preparedness;
-and
-(F) enhancing communication management in emergency
-wildfire situations, land and resource management, and
-scientific studies.
-(10) Working with Federal, State, and Tribal agencies to
-develop and improve National Wildfire Coordinating Group
-wildfire preparedness curricula and training modules for--
-(A) State, territorial, local, and Tribal
-officials; and
-(B) Federal, State, territorial, local, and Tribal
-emergency managers and responders.
-(11) Maintaining the Fireshed Registry.
-(12) Administering the pilot program established under
+the Center, including the evaluation of new and
+competing models as those models become available.
+(5) Coordinating with the National Wildfire Coordinating
+Group, as requested, to develop and improve wildfire
+preparedness curricula and training modules for States, Indian
+Tribes, and local officials, including emergency managers and
+responders.
+(6) Administering the pilot program established under
section 303 and streamlining procurement processes for
technologies identified under that pilot program and technology
systems related to addressing wildfire and smoke for purposes
of scaling such technologies and systems across Federal
agencies.
-(e) Administration.--
-(1) In general.--The Secretary and the Secretary of the
-Interior shall cooperatively administer the Center.
-(2) Transfer of funds.--
-(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
-Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior may
-transfer funds provided to establish, and carry out the
-duties of, the Center between--
-(i) the Forest Service; and
-(ii) the United States Geological Survey.
-(B) Notice required.--Not later than 15 days before
-transferring funds under subparagraph (A), the
-Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior, as
-applicable, shall submit to the Committee on
-Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on
-Appropriations of the House of Representatives a notice
-of the proposed transfer.
+(7) Engaging with relevant Federal agencies, State
+agencies, and entities in the private sector to improve fire
+environment monitoring, forecasting, communication, and
+response that may be essential to the core functions of the
+Center, if the Executive Director determines that the
+engagement is appropriate, beneficial, and cost-effective.
+(8)(A) Establishing wildland fire science, data management
+and sharing protocols, and technological research priorities in
+cooperation with each regional center informed by the
+operational needs of wildland fire management agencies.
+(B) Coordinating data collection efforts supporting the
+efforts of each regional center, including--
+(i) building data layers across each region
+described in section 121(c)(3)(B);
+(ii) ensuring data collection and reporting across
+each region described in section 121(c)(3)(B) is
+consistent and standardized; and
+(iii) providing updates on the development of
+wildland fire research models.
+(C) Ensuring the coordination of, and avoid unnecessary
+duplication of, the activities of the regional centers and the
+activities of institutions of higher education, land-grant
+colleges and universities, Federal science agencies, and State
+research organizations with respect to wildland fire research,
+including--
+(i) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
+Administration;
+(ii) the National Science Foundation;
+(iii) the National Laboratories;
+(iv) the National Aeronautics and Space
+Administration;
+(v) the Environmental Protection Agency;
+(vi) the United States Fire Administration;
+(vii) the United States Geological Survey;
+(viii) the research and development program of the
+Forest Service;
+(ix) the interagency Joint Fire Science Program;
+(x) the Department of Defense Strategic
+Environmental Research and Development Program; and
+(xi) any other relevant entity with specialized
+expertise in wildland fire research.
+(D) Supporting end-to-end applications that assist wildland
+fire management agencies in adopting technologies and
+incorporating research findings produced by the regional
+centers.
+(e) Center Funding.--
+(1) In general.--To carry out the functions of the Center,
+the Secretaries may transfer funds provided to establish, and
+carry out the duties of, the Center among--
+(A) the Forest Service, from amounts made available
+for Wildland Fire Management;
+(B) the Department of the Interior, from amounts
+made available for Wildland Fire Management; and
+(C) the United States Geological Survey.
+(2) Interagency financing.--Notwithstanding section 708 of
+the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations
+Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328; 136 Stat. 4706), or any other,
+similar provision of law, interagency financing may be used to
+fund the Center.
+(3) Notice required.--Not later than 15 days before
+transferring funds under paragraph (1) or (2), the Secretary or
+the Secretary of the Interior, as applicable, shall submit to
+the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee
+on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a notice of
+the proposed transfer.
(f) Board.--
-(1) Membership.--The Center shall be governed by a Board,
-to be composed of 16 members, as follows:
+(1) Membership.--The Center shall be governed by a Board of
+Directors, to be composed of 18 members, as follows:
(A) 1 member who is a career employee of the
Department of Agriculture, to be appointed by the
Secretary.
@@ -589,81 +5005,67 @@
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to be
appointed by the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration.
-(2) Terms.--A member of the Board--
-(A) shall be appointed for a term of 3 years; and
-(B) may be reappointed for not more than 3
-additional terms.
-(3) Chairperson; vice chairperson.--The Chairperson and
-Vice Chairperson of the Board shall--
-(A) be selected by the members of the Board from
-among the members appointed under subparagraphs (B),
-(I), and (J) of paragraph (1); and
-(B) serve for a term of 1 year.
+(Q) 1 member who is an elected leader of a Tribal
+government or an expert in wildfire management
+designated by a Tribal government.
+(R) 1 member representing State forestry agencies,
+to be appointed by the Secretaries.
+(2) Terms.--
+(A) In general.--The term of a member of the Board
+shall be 3 years, except that, of the members first
+appointed--
+(i) \1/3\ shall serve for a term of 4
+years;
+(ii) \1/3\ shall serve for a term of 3
+years; and
+(iii) \1/3\ shall serve for a term of 2
+years.
+(B) Additional terms.--After the initial term of a
+member of the Board, including the members first
+appointed, the member may serve not more than 3
+additional 3-year terms, except that a member initially
+appointed to a serve a term of 4 years may serve not
+more than 2 additional 3-year terms.
+(3) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Board--
+(A) shall be selected by the members of the Board
+from among the members appointed under subparagraphs
+(B), (I), and (J) of paragraph (1);
+(B) shall serve for a term of 1 year; and
+(C) may be reselected as Chairperson not more than
+twice.
(4) Majority vote.--A voting consensus by the Board shall
be not less than a \2/3\ majority vote of the members present.
(5) Nonvoting status.--At the discretion of the Board, the
Board may include nonvoting observers to the Board.
(g) Executive Director.--
(1) In general.--The Center shall have an Executive
-Director, who shall be appointed by, and serve at the direction
-of, the Board.
-(2) Drought monitoring.--The Executive Director shall
-engage with relevant Federal agencies, State agencies, and
-entities in the private sector to improve drought monitoring,
-forecasting, communication, and response that may be essential
-to the core functions of the Center, if the Executive Director
-determines that the engagement is appropriate, beneficial, and
-cost-effective.
-(3) Contracting authority.--
-(A) In general.--The Executive Director may enter
-into and perform contracts, agreements, memoranda of
-understanding, or other, similar transactions, as the
-Executive Director determines to be appropriate to
-carry out the functions of the Center described in
-subsection (d).
-(B) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date
-of enactment of this Act, the Board and the Executive
-Director shall submit to the relevant committees of
-Congress a report that provides--
-(i) an assessment of existing contracting
-authorities of the Executive Director;
-(ii) recommendations regarding whether any
-new contracting authorities or modifications of
-existing contracting authorities are needed;
-and
-(iii) a description of technologies that
-may be commercially available to perform the
-functions of the Center, together with the
-costs and timelines of procuring those
-technologies or developing relevant
-capabilities.
+Director, who shall--
+(A) be appointed by, and serve at the direction of,
+the Board; and
+(B) be responsible for the management and operation
+of the Center.
+(2) Contracting authority.--The Executive Director may
+enter into and perform contracts, agreements, memoranda of
+understanding, or other, similar transactions, as the Executive
+Director determines to be appropriate to carry out the
+functions of the Center described in subsection (d).
(h) Detailees.--The Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior may
detail or assign to the Center such employees of the Department of
Agriculture and the Department of the Interior, respectively, as the
Secretaries determine to be necessary to carry out the duties of the
Center.
-(i) Interagency Financing.--Notwithstanding section 708 of the
-Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2023
-(Public Law 117-328; 136 Stat. 4706), or any other, similar provision
-of law, interagency financing may be used to fund the Center.
-(j) Coordination With Other Agencies and Entities.--To carry out
+(i) Coordination With Other Agencies and Entities.--To carry out
the functions of the Center described in subsection (d), the Board
shall coordinate with agencies represented on the Board and other
relevant entities, including--
-(1) the National Wildfire Coordinating Group;
-(2) State and Tribal governments;
-(3) any other agency that--
-(A) is responsible for the management of Federal or
-State land; or
-(B) has data, science, and technology expertise
-relevant to the Center; and
-(4) any other relevant Federal, State, Tribal, or
-nongovernmental entity that is representative of an element of
-the wildland fire community.
-(k) Operational Plan.--
+(1) the National Wildfire Coordinating Group; and
+(2) any relevant Federal agency, State, Indian Tribe, local
+government, or nongovernmental entity that is representative of
+an element of the wildland fire community.
+(j) Operational Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
appointment of the Executive Director, the Executive Director
-shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress an
+shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress an initial
operational plan describing--
(A) the structure of the Center;
(B) staffing and funding needs of the Center;
@@ -674,16 +5076,52 @@
Center;
(D) an assessment of the potential of commercially
available technologies to perform the functions of the
-Center; and
-(E) a timeline for full operational functioning of
+Center, together with the costs and timelines of
+procuring those technologies or developing relevant
+capabilities;
+(E) an assessment of--
+(i) existing contracting authorities of the
+Executive Director to be used for purposes of
+subsection (g)(2); and
+(ii) new contracting authorities needed;
+and
+(F) a timeline for full operational functioning of
the Center.
(2) Inclusions.--The plan under paragraph (1) shall include
estimated costs, key milestones, coordination strategies with
Federal, State, and private entities, and recommendations for
ensuring the effective operation of the Center.
-(3) Updates.--The Director shall update the plan not less
-frequently than annually to reflect progress, adjustments in
-funding, and the adoption of new technologies.
+(3) Updates.--The Executive Director shall update the plan
+not less frequently than annually to reflect progress,
+adjustments in funding, and the adoption of new technologies.
+(k) Pilot Program to Monitor Wildfires by Satellite.--The
+Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, in
+partnership with the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
+Director of the United States Geological Survey, and with the Executive
+Director, shall establish a pilot program--
+(1) to purchase and integrate, through a public-private
+partnership, data from the latest-generation of wildfire
+monitoring satellites that provide monitoring of active fire
+behavior, including fire perimeters, burned area, intensity,
+severity, and the detection of fires with a low false-positive
+rate;
+(2) to use the data acquired under paragraph (1), and any
+analyses relating to that data--
+(A) to detect, assess, respond to, and manage
+wildfires and rangeland fires; and
+(B) to ensure the safety and effectiveness of
+prescribed fire treatments;
+(3) to develop information-sharing partnerships with State,
+local, and Tribal emergency managers, foresters, or other
+equivalent officials--
+(A) to improve State, local, and Tribal wildfire
+monitoring, response, and analysis; and
+(B) to provide to the Executive Director an
+operational plan for scaling the pilot program across
+the United States; and
+(4) under which the Secretary of the Interior shall have
+the authority to enter into other transactions to leverage
+satellite-based wildfire monitoring capabilities.
(l) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section affects the
ownership of any data source.
@@ -694,9 +5132,10 @@
website, a registry, to be known as the ``Fireshed Registry'', that
provides interactive geospatial data relating to individual firesheds,
including information relating to--
-(1) wildland fire exposure, delineated by ownership,
-including rights-of-way for utilities and other public or
-private purposes;
+(1) wildland fire exposure, delineated by--
+(A) ownership, including rights-of-way for
+utilities and other public or private purposes; and
+(B) administrative or management responsibility;
(2) any hazardous fuels management activities that have
occurred within an individual fireshed during the preceding 10
years;
@@ -715,8 +5154,8 @@
delineations of acres that have burned at a high severity;
(5) spatial patterns of wildfire exposure, including
plausible extreme fire events; and
-(6) any hazardous fuels management activities planned for a
-fireshed, including fireshed management projects.
+(6) any hazardous fuels management activities scheduled for
+a fireshed, including fireshed management projects.
(b) Community Wildfire Protection Plans.--The Executive Director
shall make data from the Fireshed Registry available to local
communities developing or updating community wildfire protection plans.
@@ -777,25 +5216,28 @@
existing shared stewardship agreement, modify an existing shared
stewardship agreement, or enter into a similar agreement with the
Governor of each State and Indian Tribe that contains a fireshed
-management area designated under section 101(a) to jointly--
-(1) promote the reduction of wildfire exposure, based on
-the criteria described in clauses (i) through (iii) of section
-101(a)(1)(B), in fireshed management areas across
-jurisdictional boundaries; and
-(2) conduct fireshed assessments under section 105.
+management area designated under section 101(a)--
+(1) to promote the reduction of wildfire exposure, based on
+the criteria described in section 103(a)(3), in fireshed
+management areas across jurisdictional boundaries; and
+(2) to conduct fireshed assessments under section 105.
(b) Adjustment of Boundaries and Updates to Agreements.--With
respect to an agreement under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned,
on request of the applicable Governor, may--
(1) adjust the boundaries of any applicable fireshed
-management area; and
+management area to include additional areas from within a
+separate fireshed management area designated under section 101;
+and
(2) update the agreement to address any new wildfire
threats.
-(c) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary and the Secretary of the
-Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with units of local
-government, special districts, end water users, nongovernmental
-organizations, institutions of higher education, and other entities, at
-the discretion of the applicable Secretary to carry out the activities
-described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a).
+(c) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretaries may enter into
+cooperative agreements with units of local government, special
+districts, end water users, nongovernmental organizations, institutions
+of higher education, Native Hawaiian organizations (as defined in
+section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
+U.S.C. 7517)), and other entities, at the discretion of the applicable
+Secretary to carry out the activities described in paragraphs (1) and
+(2) of subsection (a).
SEC. 105. FIRESHED ASSESSMENTS.
@@ -874,9 +5316,10 @@
(2) Existing plans.--To the maximum extent practicable, a
fireshed assessment shall incorporate and build on information,
planning, and strategies contained in relevant forest plans,
-State forest action plans, watershed management plans,
-community wildfire protection plans, and similar locally led
-landscape-scale planning documents.
+State forest action plans, Tribal integrated resource
+management plans or Tribal forest management plans, watershed
+management plans, community wildfire protection plans, and
+similar locally led landscape-scale planning documents.
(3) Participation.--
(A) State, tribal, and local governments.--In
addition to the parties to an applicable agreement
@@ -907,11 +5350,13 @@
maintained by the Secretary concerned, including the Fireshed
Registry.
(d) Information Improvement.--
-(1) Memoranda of understanding.--In carrying out a fireshed
-assessment under this section, the Secretary concerned may
-enter into memoranda of understanding with other Federal
-departments and agencies (including the National Oceanic and
-Atmospheric Administration), States, Indian Tribes, private
+(1) Agreements.--In carrying out a fireshed assessment
+under this section, the Secretary concerned may enter into
+agreements with other Federal departments and agencies
+(including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
+Administration), States, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian
+organizations (as defined in section 6207 of the Elementary and
+Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517)), private
entities, or research or educational institutions to improve,
with respect to the assessment, the use and integration of--
(A) advanced remote sensing and geospatial
@@ -926,7 +5371,7 @@
Secretary concerned and the applicable Governor shall
incorporate, to the maximum extent practicable--
(A) traditional ecological knowledge from Indian
-Tribes;
+Tribes, if requested by the relevant Indian Tribe;
(B) data from State forest action plans and State
wildfire risk assessments;
(C) data from the Fireshed Registry; and
@@ -939,7 +5384,7 @@
SEC. 106. EMERGENCY FIRESHED MANAGEMENT.
(a) Fireshed Management Projects.--
-(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through a
+(1) In general.--The Secretary concerned, acting through a
responsible official, shall carry out fireshed management
projects on land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary
concerned in fireshed management areas in accordance with this
@@ -1036,9 +5481,8 @@
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
(III) such project is carried out
in accordance with the applicable
-forest plan or resource management plan
-and the laws and policies applicable to
-the Secretary concerned.
+forest plan and the laws and policies
+applicable to the Secretary concerned.
(iii) Additional emergency actions.--The
Secretary may declare an emergency pursuant to
section 40807 of the Infrastructure Investment
@@ -1053,10 +5497,10 @@
of 2023 (Public Law 118-5; 137 Stat. 38).
(v) Use of other authorities.--To the
maximum extent practicable, the Secretary
-concerned shall use the authorities provided
-under this section in combination with other
-authorities to carry out fireshed management
-projects, including--
+concerned shall use the authorities, if
+applicable, provided under this section in
+combination with other authorities to carry out
+fireshed management projects, including--
(I) good neighbor agreements under
section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of
2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a) (as amended by
@@ -1071,10 +5515,10 @@
entered into under the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance
Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.); and
-(IV) agreements entered into under
-the Tribal Forest Protection Act of
-2004 (Public Law 108-278; 118 Stat.
-868).
+(IV) agreements and contracts
+entered into under the Tribal Forest
+Protection Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-
+278; 118 Stat. 868).
(b) Expansion.--
(1) Healthy forests restoration act amendments.--
(A) Definitions.--Section 3 of the Healthy Forests
@@ -1094,8 +5538,8 @@
``(B) was established by, or pursuant to, the laws
of the State for the purpose of performing a limited
and specific governmental or proprietary function
-primarily relating to forest or rangeland management;
-and
+primarily relating to forest, watershed, or rangeland
+management or water supply; and
``(C) is distinct from any other unit of local
government within the State.''.
(B) Administrative review.--Section 603(c) of the
@@ -1119,27 +5563,79 @@
(D) Greater sage-grouse and mule deer habitat.--
Section 606 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of
2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591e) is amended--
-(i) in subsection (a)(1)(A)--
-(I) by striking clause (ii);
-(II) by redesignating clauses (iii)
-through (vii) as clauses (ii) through
-(vi), respectively; and
-(III) in clause (iii) (as so
-redesignated), in the matter preceding
-subclause (I), by striking ``in a
-sagebrush steppe ecosystem'';
-(ii) in subsection (c), by striking
+(i) in subsection (c), by striking
``concurrently for both greater sage-grouse
and'' and inserting ``for greater sage-grouse
or''; and
-(iii) in subsection (g)(1), by striking
+(ii) in subsection (g)(1), by striking
``4,500 acres'' and inserting ``7,500 acres''.
(2) Infrastructure investment and jobs act amendment.--
Section 40806(d)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act (16 U.S.C. 6592b(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``3,000
acres'' and inserting ``10,000 acres''.
-SEC. 107. SUNSET.
+SEC. 107. STUDY ON THE IMPACTS OF FIRESHED MANAGEMENT PROJECTS ON
+WILDFIRE RISK TO COMMUNITIES AND WILDLIFE HABITAT.
+
+(a) Study Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the
+Secretary of the Interior, shall enter into an agreement with the
+National Academy of Sciences, under which the National Academy of
+Sciences shall conduct 1 or more studies on the impacts of fireshed
+management projects, including--
+(1) an evaluation of select, regionally varied fireshed
+management projects and approaches, including--
+(A) methodologies used to assess fireshed
+management areas;
+(B) the reduction in fuel hazards in fireshed
+management areas;
+(C) the status of, and trends in, watershed
+conditions;
+(D) the economic use of fireshed management project
+byproducts;
+(E) local jobs and labor income supported by
+fireshed management projects; and
+(F) coordinated approaches taken to plan and
+implement fireshed management projects;
+(2) changes to wildfire risk within fireshed management
+areas, and to resources of an Indian Tribe, due to fireshed
+management projects;
+(3)(A) a description of the cost of--
+(i) the implementation of section 105; and
+(ii) the development and implementation of fireshed
+management projects; and
+(B) an estimate of the amount of the damages avoided as a
+result of that development and implementation;
+(4) an evaluation of how fireshed management projects
+affect--
+(A) critical habitat areas designated under the
+Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
+seq.); and
+(B) the conservation and recovery of species listed
+as threatened or endangered under the that Act;
+(5) an identification of fireshed management project best
+practices for minimizing harm to critical habitat areas
+described in paragraph (4)(A) and the natural environment while
+reducing wildfire risk; and
+(6) recommendations for policy, regulatory, or operational
+changes to improve fireshed management projects.
+(b) Engagement.--In conducting the 1 or more studies under
+subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences shall--
+(1) consult with relevant Federal, State, and Tribal
+agencies, including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
+and the National Marine Fisheries Service; and
+(2) provide an opportunity for public comment and input
+during the 1 or more studies, including from nonprofit
+organizations, institutions of higher education, and other
+scientific bodies.
+(c) Submission of Report.--As soon as practicable after the
+conclusion of the 1 more studies under subsection (a), but not later
+than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the National
+Academy of Sciences shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress
+and the Secretaries 1 or more reports containing the results of the 1
+or more studies.
+
+SEC. 108. SUNSET.
The authority under this subtitle terminates on the date that is 7
years after the date of enactment of this Act.
@@ -1170,8 +5666,8 @@
``(B) was established by, or pursuant to, the laws
of the State for the purpose of performing a limited
and specific governmental or proprietary function
-primarily relating to forest or rangeland management;
-and
+primarily relating to forest, watershed, or rangeland
+management or water supply; and
``(C) is distinct from any other unit of local
government within the State.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
@@ -1244,32 +5740,39 @@
Section 604 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
U.S.C. 6591c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting ``, including retaining
-and expanding existing forest products infrastructure'' before
-the period at the end; and
+and expanding existing forest products infrastructure necessary
+to carry out an agreement or contract under this subsection''
+before the period at the end; and
(2) in subsection (d)(3)(B), by striking ``10 years'' and
inserting ``20 years''; and
(3) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Special rule for long-term stewardship contracts.--
-``(A) Definition of long-term contract.--In this
-paragraph, the term `long-term contract' means an
-agreement or contract under subsection (b) that--
+``(A) Definition of multiyear contract.--In this
+paragraph, the term `multiyear contract' means a
+contract entered into under subsection (b) that--
``(i) has a term of longer than 5 years;
and
``(ii) is entered into on or after the date
of enactment of this paragraph.
-``(B) Special rule.--A long-term contract entered
+``(B) Special rule.--A multiyear contract entered
into under subsection (b) by the Chief or the Director
with an entity shall provide that, in the case of
-cancellation or termination of the long-term contract
+cancellation or termination of the multiyear contract
by the Chief or the Director, the Chief or the
-Director, as applicable, shall provide to the entity an
-amount equal to 10 percent of the long-term contract
-amount as cancellation or termination costs.''.
+Director, as applicable, shall provide to the entity a
+cancellation or termination payment that is the lesser
+of--
+``(i) an amount equal to 10 percent of the
+multiyear contract; or
+``(ii) the amount of unrecovered costs that
+would have been recouped through amortization
+over the full term of the contract (including
+the term canceled).''.
SEC. 113. FIRESHED MANAGEMENT PROJECT STRIKE TEAMS.
-(a) Establishment.--The Secretary concerned shall establish intra-
-agency strike teams to assist the Secretary concerned with--
+(a) Establishment.--The Secretary concerned shall establish strike
+teams to assist the Secretary concerned with--
(1) any reviews, including analysis under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.),
consultations under division A of subtitle III of title 54,
@@ -1286,8 +5789,8 @@
through (3).
(b) Members.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary concerned may appoint not
-more than 10 individuals to serve on an intra-agency strike
-team under this section, to be composed of--
+more than 10 individuals to serve on a strike team under this
+section, to be composed of--
(A) employees of the department under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned;
(B) employees of a different Federal department or
@@ -1303,7 +5806,7 @@
applicable Federal land.
(c) Review Responsibility.--The Secretary concerned shall--
(1) determine the sufficiency of the documents prepared by
-an intra-agency strike team under this section; and
+a strike team under this section; and
(2) retain responsibility for any authorizing decision
relating to such a document.
(d) Sunset.--The authority under this section terminates on the
@@ -1333,8 +5836,10 @@
wildfire impacts'' after ``wildfire risk''; and
(B) in subparagraph (F), by inserting ``, as
identified in the corresponding State forest action
-plan or similar priority plan (such as a State wildlife
-or water plan)'' before the semicolon;
+plan, Tribal-integrated resource management plan or
+Tribal forest management plan, or similar priority plan
+(such as a State wildlife or water plan)'' before the
+semicolon;
(3) in subsection (g), by striking paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:
``(2) Additional reports.--For each of fiscal years 2022
@@ -1346,9 +5851,10 @@
``(i) the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry;
``(ii) the Committee on Energy and Natural
-Resources; and
+Resources;
``(iii) the Committee on Appropriations;
and
+``(iv) the Committee on Indian Affairs; and
``(B) in the House of Representatives--
``(i) the Committee on Agriculture;
``(ii) the Committee on Natural Resources;
@@ -1366,22 +5872,24 @@
(A) in paragraph (2)(B)(ii), by striking ``500
note'' and inserting ``7125''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
-(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
-(A), by striking ``plans to--'' and inserting
-``plans--'';
-(ii) in each of subparagraphs (A) through
-(H), by inserting ``to'' after the subparagraph
-designation; and
-(iii) in subparagraph (D), by inserting
-``or pathogens'' before the semicolon;
+(i) in subparagraph (D), by striking
+``species;'' and inserting ``species or
+pathogens;'';
+(ii) in subparagraph (G), by striking
+``and'' at the end;
+(iii) in subparagraph (H), by adding
+``and'' after the semicolon at the end; and
+(iv) by adding at the end the following:
+``(I) address standardized monitoring questions and
+indicators;'';
(2) in subsection (c)(3)(A)--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the end;
-(B) in clause (ii), by adding ``and'' after the
-semicolon at the end; and
+(B) in clause (ii), by adding ``and'' at the end;
+and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) include a Federal Government
-staffing plan for providing staff to support
-collaborative processes established under
+staffing plan for providing support to
+collaboratives established pursuant to
subsection (b)(2);'';
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
@@ -1392,9 +5900,11 @@
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) proposals that seek to use innovative
-implementation mechanisms, including good neighbor
-agreements entered into under section 8206 of the
-Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a);
+implementation mechanisms, including conservation
+finance agreements, good neighbor agreements entered
+into under section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014
+(16 U.S.C. 2113a), and similar implementation
+mechanisms;
``(H) proposals that seek to reduce the risk of
uncharacteristic wildfire or increase ecological
restoration activities--
@@ -1407,14 +5917,10 @@
``(I) proposals that seek to enhance watershed
health and drinking water sources.''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
-(i) by striking subparagraph (A) and
-inserting the following:
-``(A) 4 proposals in any 1 region of the National
-Forest System to be funded during any fiscal year;
-and'';
-(ii) by striking subparagraph (B); and
-(iii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
-subparagraph (B);
+(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``10''
+and inserting ``20''; and
+(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2''
+and inserting ``4'';
(4) in subsection (e)(3), by inserting ``conflict
resolution or collaborative governance,'' before ``and woody'';
and
@@ -1422,7 +5928,7 @@
(A) in paragraph (4)(B)(ii), by striking
``$4,000,000'' and inserting ``$8,000,000''; and
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``2023'' and
-inserting ``2031''.
+inserting ``2034''.
SEC. 117. UTILIZING GRAZING FOR WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION.
@@ -1457,7 +5963,8 @@
dynamically adjust livestock placement;
(F) an increased use of any authorities applicable
to livestock grazing, including modifications to
-grazing permits or leases to allow variances;
+grazing permits or leases to allow variances pursuant
+to paragraph (3);
(G) the utilization of grazing on Federal land
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned in a
manner that--
@@ -1467,6 +5974,56 @@
management plan; and
(H) the use of any other means determined to be
appropriate by the Secretary concerned.
+(3) Variances.--
+(A) In general.--At the request of an authorized
+grazing permittee or lessee, the Secretary concerned
+may allow a temporary variance to the terms and
+conditions of a grazing permit or lease to address
+significant changes in weather, forage production, the
+effects of fire or drought, or other temporary
+circumstances that impact resource conditions, to
+facilitate the long-term ecological health of the
+Federal land.
+(B) Variances.--In carrying out subparagraph (A),
+the Secretary concerned may authorize a temporary
+variance to the terms and conditions of the applicable
+grazing permit or lease to adjust the beginning date,
+the ending date, both the beginning date and ending
+date, or water transportation, as applicable, as
+specified in the applicable grazing permit or lease,
+subject to--
+(i) the requirement that, unless otherwise
+specified in the appropriate allotment
+management plan or any other activity plan that
+is the functional equivalent to the appropriate
+allotment management plan under section
+4120.2(a)(3) of title 43, Code of Federal
+Regulations (or a successor regulation), the
+applicable adjusted date of the season of use--
+(I) occurs--
+(aa) not earlier than 21
+days before the beginning date
+specified in the applicable
+grazing permit or lease; or
+(bb) not later than 21 days
+after the ending date specified
+in the applicable grazing
+permit or lease; and
+(II) would not result in forage
+removal that exceeds the amount of
+active use specified in the applicable
+grazing permit or lease; and
+(ii) the requirement that, in accordance
+with applicable law (including regulations) and
+the terms and conditions of the applicable
+grazing permit or lease, an authorized grazing
+permittee or lessee using a variance under this
+paragraph shall develop and use a monitoring
+plan determined to be acceptable to the
+Secretary concerned as a reasonable way to
+track the effects of the variance on the long-
+term ecological health of the allotment on
+which the variance is used.
(b) Effect on Existing Grazing Programs.--Nothing in this section
affects--
(1) any livestock grazing program carried out by the
@@ -1484,10 +6041,10 @@
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so
redesignated) the following:
``(1) Adjacent land.--The term `adjacent land' means non-
-Federal land, including State, local, and private land, that is
-adjacent to, and within the same watershed as, National Forest
-System land on which a watershed protection and restoration
-project is carried out under this section.''; and
+Federal land, including State, local, Tribal, and private land,
+that is adjacent to, and within the same watershed as, National
+Forest System land on which a watershed protection and
+restoration project is carried out under this section.''; and
(C) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and
(H) as subparagraphs (K) and (L), respectively;
@@ -1589,14 +6146,19 @@
the following:
``(D) in the case of an agreement with a State, a
county, or an Indian tribe for a project carried out on
-National Forest System land, a good neighbor agreement
-entered into under section 8206 of the Agricultural Act
-of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a); or''; and
+National Forest System land--
+``(i) a good neighbor agreement entered
+into under section 8206 of the Agricultural Act
+of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a); or
+``(ii) an agreement or contract entered
+into under the Tribal Forest Protection Act of
+2004 (Public Law 108-278; 118 Stat. 868); or'';
+and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Cooperation with non-federal partners.--The Secretary
-shall cooperate with non-Federal partners in carrying out
-assessments, planning, project design, and project
-implementation under this section.'';
+shall cooperate, to the maximum extent practicable, with non-
+Federal partners in carrying out assessments, planning, project
+design, and project implementation under this section.'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
@@ -1670,8 +6232,7 @@
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) to ensure that management activities and
authorizations do not result in long-term degradation of
-watershed health or lower the classification under paragraph
-(1) of any watershed in a National Forest.''.
+watershed health of any watershed in a National Forest.''.
SEC. 120. TRIBAL FOREST PROTECTION MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS.
@@ -1686,42 +6247,466 @@
(B) by striking ``federally recognized'';
(C) by striking ``programs of'' and inserting
``activities and projects under'';
-(D) by striking ``5304 et seq.'' and inserting
+(D) by inserting ``or compacts'' after
+``contracts'';
+(E) by striking ``5304 et seq.'' and inserting
``5301 et seq.''; and
-(E) by striking the subsection designation and
+(F) by striking the subsection designation and
heading and all that follows through ``and the
Secretary'' and inserting the following:
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
-``(1) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' means an
-Indian Tribe included on the list published by the Secretary of
-the Interior under section 104 of the Federally Recognized
-Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).
+``(1) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has the
+meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
+Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
``(2) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization'
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
``(b) Activities and Projects.--The Secretary and the Secretary of
the Interior'';
(4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)--
-(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
+(A) by striking ``contract or project'' each place
+it appears and inserting ``contract, compact, or
+project'';
+(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``subsection (a)'' and inserting ``subsection
(b)''; and
-(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``5304 et seq.''
+(C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``5304 et seq.''
and inserting ``5301 et seq.''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
-``(d) Publication of Information.--The Secretary and the Secretary
+``(d) Tort Claims Procedure.--For purposes of chapter 171 of title
+28, United States Code, an employee of an Indian Tribe or Tribal
+organization that enters into an agreement, contract, or compact under
+subsection (b) shall be considered an employee of the Forest Service
+while carrying out activities and projects on behalf of the Forest
+Service pursuant to that agreement, contract, or compact.
+``(e) Publication of Information.--The Secretary and the Secretary
of the Interior shall--
``(1) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of this subsection, make available, in an easily accessible
format and location, on the website of the Department of
Agriculture and the Department of the Interior, respectively, a
list of the types of activities and projects that Indian Tribes
-and Tribal organizations may enter into contracts to perform
-under subsection (b); and
+and Tribal organizations may enter into agreements, contracts,
+or compacts to perform under subsection (b); and
``(2) update the list under paragraph (1) as necessary.''.
+SEC. 121. ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL WILDLAND FIRE RESEARCH CENTERS.
+
+(a) Definitions.--In this section:
+(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
+``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
+(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
+the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry,
+and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
+(B) the Committee on Natural Resources, the
+Committee on Agriculture, and the Committee on
+Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
+(C) any other committee of Congress with the
+authority to facilitate the development of wildland
+fire research.
+(2) Career pathway.--The term ``career pathway'' has the
+meaning given that term in section 3 of the Workforce
+Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
+(3) Federal science agency.--The term ``Federal science
+agency'' has the meaning given that term in section 103(f) of
+the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C.
+6623(f)).
+(4) Institution of higher education.--The term
+``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that
+term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
+U.S.C. 1001(a)).
+(5) Land-grant colleges and universities.--The term ``land-
+grant colleges and universities'' has the meaning given that
+term in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research,
+Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).
+(6) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
+serving institution'' means an institution defined in any of
+paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher
+Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
+(7) Regional center.--The term ``regional center'' means a
+regional wildland fire research center established under
+subsection (c)(1).
+(8) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal organization''
+has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian
+Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
+5304).
+(9) Wildland fire.--The term ``wildland fire'' means any
+non-structure fire that occurs in vegetation or natural fuels
+and includes wildfires originating from an unplanned ignition
+or prescribed fire.
+(10) Wildland fire management agencies.--The term
+``wildland fire management agencies'' means--
+(A) the Forest Service;
+(B) the Bureau of Land Management;
+(C) the National Park Service;
+(D) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
+and
+(E) the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
+(11) Wildland fire research.--The term ``wildland fire
+research'' means research to better understand--
+(A) the causes and consequences of wildland fires,
+including antecedent and contemporaneous factors that
+increase the risk of catastrophic events;
+(B) the spread and behavior of wildland fires,
+including fires in the wildland-urban interface;
+(C) the efficacy of mitigation strategies for
+wildland fires;
+(D) the impact of wildland fires on public health,
+safety, and the environment;
+(E) the rehabilitation and restoration of affected
+ecosystems after wildland fires; and
+(F) the development of mitigation strategies and
+techniques to improve the safety of wildland fire
+managers and firefighters.
+(b) Competitive Process.--The Secretaries shall establish a
+competitive process for the selection and establishment of regional
+wildland fire research centers in accordance with subsection (c).
+(c) Selection and Establishment of Regional Centers.--
+(1) In general.--The Secretaries shall select not fewer
+than 8 institutions of higher education or land-grant colleges
+and universities at which to establish, in accordance with the
+timeline described in paragraph (2), regional centers to
+coordinate the development of wildland fire research.
+(2) Timeline.--In establishing regional centers under
+paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall establish--
+(A) as soon as practicable after the date of
+enactment of this Act, subject to the availability of
+appropriations, a pilot program under which not fewer
+than 2 regional centers shall be established; and
+(B) not later than 2 years after the date on which
+the pilot program is established under subparagraph
+(A), the remaining regional centers.
+(3) Criteria for selection.--
+(A) In general.--In establishing a regional center
+at an institution of higher education or land-grant
+college or university under this section, the
+Secretaries shall prioritize the selection of
+institutions, colleges, or universities that meet not
+fewer than one of the following criteria:
+(i) Have existing programs of record in
+wildland fire research.
+(ii) Have existing partnerships with
+research institutions of the Federal Government
+and other academic institutions and entities
+relating to wildland fire research.
+(iii) Participate in or lead a program
+under the Joint Fire Science Program.
+(iv) Are a minority-serving institution.
+(B) Regions.--The Secretaries shall establish not
+fewer than one regional center in each of the following
+regions of the United States, as defined by the
+Secretaries:
+(i) Alaska.
+(ii) California.
+(iii) The Pacific Northwest.
+(iv) The Pacific Islands.
+(v) The Plains and Northeast.
+(vi) The Rockies.
+(vii) The Southeast.
+(viii) The Southwest.
+(4) Purpose.--Each regional center, with respect to the
+region covered by the regional center, shall--
+(A) to the extent practical, coordinate research
+with other wildland fire research entities, such as
+other academic institutions, the Environmental
+Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
+Administration, the National Science Foundation, the
+National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the
+Department of Energy, the research and development
+program of the Forest Service, the National
+Laboratories, the United States Geological Survey, and
+State and regional research organizations;
+(B) improve the understanding of wildland fire
+through wildland fire research that can be applied by
+wildland fire management agencies;
+(C) develop technologies and other tools to
+understand, monitor, and predict wildland fire,
+including--
+(i) models to predict fire potential and
+the spread and behavior of wildland fire and
+smoke;
+(ii) models to predict how vegetation will
+respond to changes in the environment and
+wildland fire;
+(iii) the integration of technologies to
+predict the spread and behavior of wildland
+fire and smoke in as near-real-time as
+possible; and
+(iv) other innovations to be integrated
+into operational decision support systems
+relating to wildland fire, such as the Wildland
+Fire Decision Support System and the
+Interagency Fuel Treatment Decision Support
+System;
+(D) develop technologies and other tools to safely
+support land management activities to reduce the
+severity of wildland fire;
+(E) leverage predictive capabilities to reduce the
+impact of smoke on communities and wildfire incident
+management teams, including wildland firefighters;
+(F) improve the understanding of post-fire risk to
+the landscape, including flash flooding potential and
+watershed impacts;
+(G) test and operate models to support land
+management decision-making, including through--
+(i) operating models to support management
+of wildland fire and vegetation;
+(ii) the demonstration of integration
+technologies to support management of wildland
+fire in as near-real-time as possible; and
+(iii) the incorporation of decision science
+and social science that examines the perception
+and adoption of information related to wildland
+fire risk;
+(H) develop a career pathway training program with
+respect to carrying out wildland fire research;
+(I) develop data management protocols to allow for
+full and open exchange of data pursuant to the
+principles of findability, accessibility,
+interoperability, and reusability (commonly referred to
+as the ``FAIR principles'') and archive and access that
+data;
+(J) develop training programs for prescribed fire
+implementation; and
+(K) make its work and data fully and openly
+available.
+(d) Advisory Boards.--
+(1) In general.--In accordance with chapter 10 of title 5,
+United States Code (commonly referred to as the ``Federal
+Advisory Committee Act''), the Secretary shall establish at
+each regional center an advisory board, to be known as the
+``Regional Advisory Board'', to carry out the duties described
+in paragraph (4).
+(2) Composition.--
+(A) In general.--Each Regional Advisory Board shall
+consist of members, who shall be from, or have
+responsibility covering, the region covered by the
+relevant regional center, including at minimum--
+(i) one regional representative from each
+wildland fire management agency, appointed by
+that agency;
+(ii) one representative from a State
+government agency from each State located in
+that region with expertise in forestry and
+wildland fire mitigation and management,
+appointed by the Governor of that State;
+(iii) one representative from an Indian
+Tribe or Tribal organization from that region
+with expertise in forestry and wildland fire
+mitigation and management on Tribal or Federal
+land, appointed by the Secretaries; and
+(iv) additional representatives elected
+under subparagraph (B)(ii).
+(B) Elected membership.--
+(i) Subcommittee.--Each Regional Advisory
+Board shall solicit and approve, on at least an
+annual basis, nominations for individuals with
+operational expertise in wildland fire
+mitigation and management to serve as a
+representative on a subcommittee to the
+Regional Advisory Board for the purposes of
+clause (ii), composed of not more than 15
+individuals, including representatives from, as
+applicable--
+(I) institutions of higher
+education or land-grant colleges and
+universities;
+(II) nongovernmental organizations;
+(III) private industry;
+(IV) the wildland firefighter
+community, including organizations that
+represent the interests of wildland
+firefighters; and
+(V) Southwest Ecological
+Restoration Institutes established
+under section 5(a) of the Southwest
+Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention
+Act of 2004 (16 U.S.C. 6704(a)).
+(ii) Election.--The subcommittee described
+in clause (i) for a Regional Advisory Board may
+elect a member or members of the subcommittee
+to serve as a member of the Regional Advisory
+Board under subparagraph (A)(iv) for a 2-year
+term.
+(3) Compensation.--Each member of a Regional Advisory Board
+shall serve on a voluntary basis without compensation.
+(4) Duties.--Each Regional Advisory Board shall--
+(A) ensure and support the coordination of wildland
+fire research between the relevant regional center and
+Federal and State land management agencies in that
+region;
+(B) communicate the operational needs of Federal
+and State land management agencies and wildland fire
+management agencies in that region to the relevant
+regional center and to the Board governing the Wildfire
+Intelligence Center appointed under section 102(f);
+(C) advise, in coordination with the relevant
+regional center, on research goals and objectives; and
+(D) assist the relevant regional center with the
+dissemination of research outputs and data to the Board
+governing the Wildfire Intelligence Center appointed
+under section 102(f) and Federal and State land
+management agencies and wildland fire management
+agencies in that region.
+(5) Meetings.--Each Regional Advisory Board shall meet
+quarterly.
+(6) Term.--Unless specified otherwise, a member of a
+Regional Advisory Board shall serve for a term of 4 years.
+(7) Vacancies.--
+(A) In general.--A vacancy on a Regional Advisory
+Board--
+(i) shall not affect the powers of the
+Regional Advisory Board; and
+(ii) shall be filled in the same manner as
+the original appointment was made by not later
+than 180 days after the date on which the
+vacancy occurs.
+(B) Filling unexpired term.--An individual chosen
+to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired
+term of the member replaced.
+(e) Report on Wildland Fire Research.--Not later than each of 2
+years and 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
+Secretaries, in consultation with the Board governing the Wildfire
+Intelligence Center appointed under section 102(f), shall submit to the
+appropriate committees of Congress a report describing--
+(1) the progress each regional center has made in the
+development of wildland fire research; and
+(2) recommendations to improve wildland fire research.
+(f) Consultation.--In carrying out the requirements of this
+section, the Secretaries shall consult with--
+(1) Federal science agencies; and
+(2) the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
+
+SEC. 122. CONTRACTS, GRANTS, AND AGREEMENTS TO CARRY OUT CERTAIN
+ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION ACTIVITIES.
+
+Section 40804 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (16
+U.S.C. 6592a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
+``(g) Contracts, Grants, and Agreements.--To carry out the
+ecosystem restoration activities described in subsection (b), the
+Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest
+Service, may enter into contracts, grants, or agreements, as
+appropriate, with State agencies, Indian Tribes, institutions of higher
+education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of
+1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))), and multistate coalitions--
+``(1) for the collection and maintenance of native plant
+materials, including material from managed seed orchards; and
+``(2) for the production of native plant materials for
+revegetation.''.
+
+SEC. 123. REFORESTATION OF LAND DESTROYED BY HERMIT'S PEAK/CALF CANYON
+FIRE.
+
+Section 104(d)(4) of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance
+Act (division G of Public Law 117-180; 136 Stat. 2172) is amended by
+adding at the end the following:
+``(D) Reforestation.--
+``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding
+paragraph (1)(B), subject to clause (ii), a
+claim that is paid for injury under this Act
+may include damages resulting from the Hermit's
+Peak/Calf Canyon Fire for otherwise
+uncompensated resource losses for costs of
+reasonable efforts, as determined by the
+Administrator, incurred by the State of New
+Mexico not later than December 31, 2030, to
+design and construct a center for the purpose
+of researching, developing, and generating
+native seedlings.
+``(ii) Limitation.--The payment of a claim
+under this Act may not include amounts to
+design or construct a center described in
+clause (i) until after all claims by an injured
+person that are pending on the date of
+enactment of this subparagraph are paid or
+otherwise resolved.''.
+
+SEC. 124. CONTRACT PREFERENCE FOR LOCAL CONTRACTORS FOR CERTAIN
+HAZARDOUS FUEL REDUCTION PROJECTS.
+
+(a) In General.--Title I of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of
+2003 is amended--
+(1) by redesignating sections 107 and 108 (16 U.S.C. 6517,
+6518) as sections 108 and 109, respectively; and
+(2) by inserting after section 106 (16 U.S.C. 6516) the
+following:
+
+``SEC. 107. CONTRACT PREFERENCE FOR LOCAL CONTRACTORS FOR CERTAIN
+HAZARDOUS FUEL REDUCTION PROJECTS.
+
+``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
+``(1) Appropriate local contractor.--The term `appropriate
+local contractor' means an entity that carries out, pursuant to
+a contract or agreement, 1 or more authorized projects
+located--
+``(A) in a State in which--
+``(i) the entity has its principal place of
+business, as certified by the entity or an
+individual representing the entity; and
+``(ii) not fewer than 26 percent of the
+total workforce assigned to the applicable
+contract or agreement (including subcontractors
+at any tier) will reside, as certified by the
+entity or an individual representing the
+entity; or
+``(B) within a 60-mile radius of the State in which
+the entity is registered as a business or has its
+principal place of business, as certified by the entity
+or an individual representing the entity.
+``(2) Authorized project.--The term `authorized project'
+includes any activity carried out pursuant to--
+``(A) an authorized hazardous fuel reduction
+project; or
+``(B) a fireshed management project (as defined in
+section 2 of the Fix Our Forests Act).
+``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
+of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
+``(b) Contract Preference.--Effective beginning on the date of
+enactment of the Fix Our Forests Act, the Secretary shall give
+preference in awarding a contract to carry out an authorized project in
+a State to an appropriate local contractor, to the maximum extent
+practicable.
+``(c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
+of the Fix Our Forests Act, and not less frequently than annually
+thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that
+includes--
+``(1) a quantitative analysis of the number and percentage
+of contracts awarded to appropriate local contractors, the
+total dollar value of those contracts, and an assessment of the
+economic impact of the contract preference under subsection (b)
+on local employment and contractor capacity;
+``(2) a description of the reasons for awarding a contract
+to carry out an authorized project in a State to an individual
+or entity that is not an appropriate local contractor; and
+``(3) a description of the implementation by the Secretary
+of this section.
+``(d) Monitoring and Evaluation.--
+``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a
+monitoring and evaluation process--
+``(A) to assess compliance with the requirements of
+this section, including the contract preference under
+subsection (b); and
+``(B) to support the reports required under
+subsection (c).
+``(2) Participants.--The process described in paragraph (1)
+may include participation by--
+``(A) any cooperating governmental agencies,
+including Tribal governments; and
+``(B) any other interested groups or
+individuals.''.
+(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents contained in section
+1(b) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-
+148; 117 Stat. 1887) is amended by striking the items relating to
+sections 107 and 108 and inserting the following:
+
+``Sec. 107. Contract preference for local contractors for certain
+hazardous fuel reduction projects.
+``Sec. 108. Effect of title.
+``Sec. 109. Authorization of appropriations.''.
+
Subtitle C--Litigation Reform
-SEC. 121. COMMONSENSE LITIGATION REFORM.
+SEC. 131. LITIGATION REFORM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Agency document.--The term ``agency document'', with
@@ -1878,7 +6863,7 @@
(B) the date on which such agency document or
application is noticed.
-SEC. 122. CONSULTATION ON FOREST PLANS.
+SEC. 132. CONSULTATION ON FOREST PLANS.
(a) Forest Service Plans.--Section 6(d)(2) of the Forest and
Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C.
@@ -1918,7 +6903,7 @@
Subtitle D--Prescribed Fire
-SEC. 131. PRESCRIBED FIRE ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES.
+SEC. 141. PRESCRIBED FIRE ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES.
(a) Definition of Prescribed Fire.--
(1) In general.--In this section, the term ``prescribed
@@ -1936,6 +6921,10 @@
(2) Exclusion.--In this section, the term ``prescribed
fire'' does not include a fire that is ignited for the primary
purpose of pile burning.
+(3) Cultural burning.--In this section, the term
+``prescribed fire'' includes specified cultural burning
+activities that an Indian Tribe designates for treatment as
+prescribed fire for the purposes of this section.
(b) Eligible Activities.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary concerned may carry out
eligible activities described in paragraph (2) for hazardous
@@ -1951,7 +6940,7 @@
cooperative agreements for prescribed fire
activities;
(ii) issuing grants from an existing grant
-program to a State, Tribal government, local
+program to a State, Indian Tribe, local
government, prescribed fire council, prescribed
burn association, or nonprofit organization for
the implementation of prescribed fires,
@@ -1984,13 +6973,13 @@
such as monitoring for hazard trees or reignitions and
invasive species management; and
(E) providing technical or financial assistance to
-a State, Tribal government, local government,
-prescribed fire council, prescribed burn association,
-or nonprofit organization for the purpose of providing
-training for prescribed fire or basic smoke management
-practices, consistent with any standards developed by
-the National Wildfire Coordinating Group or State-
-prescribed fire standards.
+a State, Indian Tribe, local government, prescribed
+fire council, prescribed burn association, or nonprofit
+organization for the purpose of providing training for
+prescribed fire or basic smoke management practices,
+consistent with any standards developed by the National
+Wildfire Coordinating Group or State-prescribed fire
+standards.
(3) Prioritization.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Secretary concerned shall coordinate with the other
@@ -2011,9 +7000,14 @@
forest action plan, fireshed
assessment, or community wildfire
protection plan; or
-(II) identified as important to the
-protection of a Tribal trust resource
-or the reserved or treaty rights of an
+(II) identified by the Secretary of
+the Interior, in consultation with the
+appropriate Indian Tribe, as important
+to the protection of a Tribal trust
+resource or the reserved or treaty
+rights of an Indian Tribe identified by
+the Secretary concerned, in
+consultation with the appropriate
Indian Tribe;
(iv) on land that is at high or very high
risk of experiencing a wildfire that would be
@@ -2025,15 +7019,15 @@
(vi) supportive of potential operational
delineations or strategic response zones.
(c) Policies and Practices.--The Secretary concerned, in
-coordination with State, local, and Tribal governments, shall develop a
-prescribed fire operational strategy for each region of the National
-Forest System or the Department of the Interior, as applicable, that
-describes--
+coordination with State and local governments and Indian Tribes, shall
+develop a prescribed fire operational strategy for each region of the
+National Forest System or the Department of the Interior, as
+applicable, that describes--
(1) the fire deficit, by region; and
(2) staffing and funding needs to address the fire deficit
described in paragraph (1).
-SEC. 132. HUMAN RESOURCES.
+SEC. 142. HUMAN RESOURCES.
(a) Competencies for Firefighters.--The Secretaries, in
coordination with the Fire Executive Council, shall task the National
@@ -2068,25 +7062,63 @@
eligible to be included in statewide participating
agreements.
-SEC. 133. LIABILITY OF PRESCRIBED FIRE MANAGERS.
-
-(a) Training Course.--The Secretaries, in coordination with the
-Attorney General of the United States, shall develop a voluntary
-training course for employees involved in any activity carried out on
-Federal land that is directly related to a prescribed fire in the
-course of executing a Federal action.
-(b) Requirement.--The training course developed under subsection
-(a) shall include a description of--
-(1) liability protections afforded to the employees
-described in that subsection when acting within the scope of
-their employment;
+SEC. 143. LIABILITY OF PRESCRIBED FIRE MANAGERS.
+
+(a) Definitions.--In this section:
+(1) Covered activity.--The term ``covered activity'' means
+an activity carried out on Federal land directly related to a
+wildland fire, prescribed fire, or prescribed fire with
+cultural objectives in the course of executing a Federal
+action.
+(2) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' means a
+non-Federal entity that--
+(A) carries out a covered activity; and
+(B) is acting--
+(i) under the direct supervision of a
+Federal employee; and
+(ii) within the scope of a contract or
+agreement in carrying out that covered
+activity.
+(b) Indemnity of Federal and Tribal Employees.--The Secretaries, in
+coordination with the Attorney General, shall develop a voluntary
+training course for employees involved in covered activities
+describing--
+(1) liability protections afforded to those employees when
+acting within the scope of their employment;
(2) the limits on any liability protections under paragraph
(1); and
-(3) any reimbursement available for qualified employees for
+(3) reimbursements available for qualified employees for
professional liability insurance under section 636 of division
A of Public Law 104-208 (5 U.S.C. prec. 5941 note).
-
-SEC. 134. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.
+(c) Indemnity of Other Cooperators.--
+(1) In general.--Effective beginning on the date of
+enactment of this Act, a covered entity shall be considered to
+be an employee of the Federal Government for purposes of
+chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly known as
+the ``Federal Tort Claims Act''), while that covered entity
+carries out any covered activity.
+(2) Guidance.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretaries, in consultation with
+the Attorney General, shall issue guidance regarding the
+necessary provisions of, and implementation requirements for,
+contracts or agreements that would extend liability protection
+to covered entities pursuant to paragraph (1).
+(3) Reimbursement.--Beginning in the first fiscal year that
+begins after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries
+shall request, through annual appropriations, funds sufficient
+to reimburse the Treasury for any claims paid during the
+preceding fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (1).
+(d) Effect.--Nothing in this section limits or otherwise affects
+the application of--
+(1) any statutory or judicial immunity to any Federal
+employee;
+(2) chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly
+known as the ``Federal Tort Claims Act''), to any Federal
+employee; or
+(3) section 314 of Public Law 101-512 (25 U.S.C. 5321
+note).
+
+SEC. 144. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.
(a) Smoke Management Agencies.--
(1) Policy.--The Secretaries shall ensure that policies,
@@ -2095,9 +7127,18 @@
(A) to facilitate greater use of prescribed fire in
a safe and responsible manner, with appropriate
monitoring to prevent prescribed fires from exceeding
-containment; and
+containment;
(B) to address public health and safety, including
-impacts from smoke from wildfires and prescribed fires.
+impacts from smoke from wildfires and prescribed fires;
+and
+(C) to improve and leverage smoke modeling and
+smoke monitoring using existing systems and programs,
+including the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality
+Response Program established under section 1114(f) of
+the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and
+Recreation Act (43 U.S.C. 1748b-1(f)), to provide
+consistent forecasts on air quality impacts from
+wildfire and prescribed fire.
(2) Coordination among federal, tribal, and state air
quality agencies and federal, tribal, and state land management
agencies.--To facilitate the use of prescribed fire on Federal,
@@ -2109,9 +7150,10 @@
(A) to the maximum extent practicable, to provide
State, Tribal, and local air quality agencies with
guidance, data, imagery, or modeling to support the
-development of exceptional event demonstrations in
-accordance with sections 50.14 and 51.930 of title 40,
-Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations);
+development of exceptional event demonstrations for
+prescribed fire in accordance with sections 50.14 and
+51.930 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or
+successor regulations);
(B) to develop archives and automated tools to
provide State, Tribal, and local air quality agencies
with the data, imagery, and modeling under subparagraph
@@ -2133,34 +7175,44 @@
and
(II) including basic smoke management
practices as a component of a prescribed fire
-plan; and
+plan;
(iv) to share with the public information, in
-coordination with other public health agencies, about
-measures that individuals can take to protect
+coordination with other State and local agencies with
+responsibility for smoke monitoring or regulation,
+about measures that individuals can take to protect
themselves from wildfire smoke; and
+(v) to promote further development of smoke-ready
+efforts to allow communities to be prepared for smoke,
+including promotion of smoke planning in community
+wildfire protection plans; and
(E) to develop guidance and tools to streamline the
demonstration of a clear causal relationship between
-prescribed fire smoke and a related exceedance of a
-national ambient air quality standard.
+prescribed fire smoke and a related exceedance or
+contribution to an exceedance of a national ambient air
+quality standard.
(3) Programs and research.--To address the public health
-and safety risk of the expanded use of prescribed fire under
-this subtitle, the Secretaries, in coordination with the
+and safety concerns of the expanded use of prescribed fire
+under this subtitle, the Secretaries, in coordination with the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
shall conduct research to improve or develop--
(A) wildfire smoke prediction models;
(B) smoke impact display tools for the public and
-decisionmakers;
+decisionmakers, including for health impacts and
+transportation safety;
(C) appropriate, cost-effective, and consistent
-strategies to mitigate the impacts of smoke from
-prescribed fire on nearby communities;
+communications strategies to mitigate the impacts of
+smoke from prescribed fire on nearby communities;
(D) consistent nationally and scientifically
supported messages regarding personal protection
-equipment for the public; and
+equipment for the public;
(E) prescribed fire activity tracking and emission
inventory systems for planning and post-treatment
-accountability.
-(b) Development of Landscape-Scale Federal Prescribed Fire Plans.--
+accountability; and
+(F) air quality and atmospheric deposition
+monitoring to understand smoke impacts of wildland
+fires.
+(b) Development of Landscape-scale Federal Prescribed Fire Plans.--
(1) Inclusion of landscape-scale prescribed fire plans.--
The Secretary concerned, with respect to units of the National
Forest System and Bureau of Land Management districts with
@@ -2197,42 +7249,47 @@
(1), the Secretary concerned shall collaborate with diverse
actors from academia, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management research and development offices, nongovernmental
-organizations, cultural fire practitioners, and other entities,
-as determined appropriate by the Secretary concerned.
+organizations, Indian Tribes, and other entities, as determined
+appropriate by the Secretary concerned.
(4) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary
concerned shall submit to Congress a report describing the
progress of the Secretary concerned in carrying out this
subsection.
-SEC. 135. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS FOR PRESCRIBED FIRE.
+SEC. 145. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS FOR PRESCRIBED FIRE.
(a) Agreements and Contracts.--
(1) Definition of eligible entity.--In this subsection, the
term ``eligible entity'' means a State, an Indian Tribe, a unit
of local government, a fire district, a nongovernmental
organization, and a private entity.
-(2) Authorization.--The Secretary and the Secretary of the
-Interior may each enter into a cooperative agreement or
-contract with an eligible entity, for a period of not longer
-than 10 years, that authorizes the eligible entity--
+(2) Authorization.--The Secretaries may each enter into a
+cooperative agreement or contract with an eligible entity, for
+a period of not longer than 10 years, that authorizes the
+eligible entity--
(A) to coordinate, plan, or conduct a prescribed
fire on Federal land; or
(B) to conduct a prescribed fire training event.
(3) Subcontracts.--A State, Indian Tribe, county, or
eligible entity that enters into a cooperative agreement or
contract under paragraph (1) may enter into a subcontract, in
-accordance with applicable contracting procedures of the State,
-Indian Tribe, county, or eligible entity--
+accordance with applicable employment and contracting laws and
+procedures of the State, Indian Tribe, county, or eligible
+entity--
(A) to conduct a prescribed fire on Federal land;
or
(B) to conduct a prescribed fire training event
pursuant to that cooperative agreement or contract.
(4) Applicable law.--A prescribed fire conducted pursuant
to this subsection shall be carried out on a project-by-project
-basis under existing authorities of the applicable Federal
-agency responsible for the management of the applicable Federal
-land.
+basis under--
+(A) existing authorities of the applicable Federal
+agency responsible for the management of the applicable
+Federal land; and
+(B) the employment and contracting laws of an
+Indian Tribe in accordance with paragraph (3), as
+applicable.
(5) Preservation of decision authority.--An eligible entity
may not carry out a project under this subsection pursuant to a
cooperative agreement or contract without the prior written
@@ -2256,13 +7313,13 @@
have the flexibility to conduct prescribed burns when
conditions allow; and
``(2) include terms that--
-``(A) authorize the Secretary to delegate their
-authority to an Indian Tribe to plan, coordinate, and
-execute prescribed burns on the behalf of the Secretary
-within the scope of the burn plan including applying
-the National Wildfire Coordinating Group standards for
-prescribed fire planning and implementation, to the
-extent authorized by Federal law;
+``(A) the Secretary may authorize an Indian Tribe
+to plan, coordinate, and execute prescribed burns on
+the behalf of the Secretary within the scope of the
+burn plan including applying the National Wildfire
+Coordinating Group standards for prescribed fire
+planning and implementation, to the extent authorized
+by Federal law;
``(B) any applicable Federal standard that requires
a certain number of personnel to be on-hand during
prescribed burns may be satisfied by regional Federal,
@@ -2281,10 +7338,10 @@
training events,'' after ``including fire protection,''; and
(2) in section 2 (16 U.S.C. 565a-2), by inserting ``,
section 4 of the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (Public
-Law 108-278; 118 Stat. 868) or section 135(a) of the Fix Our
+Law 108-278; 118 Stat. 868), or section 145(a) of the Fix Our
Forests Act'' after ``authorized by section 1''.
-SEC. 136. FACILITATING RESPONSIBLE USE OF PRESCRIBED FIRE.
+SEC. 146. FACILITATING RESPONSIBLE USE OF PRESCRIBED FIRE.
The Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service,
shall--
@@ -2295,18 +7352,19 @@
the report of the Forest Service entitled ``National Prescribed
Fire Program Review'' and dated September 2022.
-TITLE II--PROTECTING COMMUNITIES IN WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE
+TITLE II--PROTECTING COMMUNITIES AT RISK
Subtitle A--Community Wildfire Risk Reduction
SEC. 201. COMMUNITY WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM.
-(a) Establishment.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
-enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly establish an
-interagency program, to be known as the ``Community Wildfire Risk
-Reduction Program'' (referred to in this section as the ``Program''),
-which shall consist of at least 1 representative from each of the
-following:
+(a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
+enactment of this Act, the Secretaries and the Secretary of Homeland
+Security, acting through the Administrator of the United States Fire
+Administration, shall jointly establish an interagency program, to be
+known as the ``Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program'' (referred to
+in this section as the ``Program''), which shall consist of at least 1
+representative from each of the following:
(1) The Office of Wildland Fire of the Department of the
Interior.
(2) The National Park Service.
@@ -2318,6 +7376,7 @@
(8) The United States Fire Administration.
(9) The National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(10) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
+(11) The National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Program is to support interagency
coordination in reducing the risk of, and the damages resulting from,
wildland fires in communities (including Tribal communities) in the
@@ -2326,24 +7385,26 @@
resilience, land management, and risk reduction in the built
environment, including support for non-Federal research
partnerships;
-(2) supporting the development of fire-resistant building
+(2) using current programming already available to Federal
+agencies;
+(3) supporting the development of fire-resistant building
methods, codes, and standards for community wildland fire risk
reduction, including by promoting ignition-resistant
construction, defensible space, and other measures demonstrated
to effectively reduce wildland fire risks, as informed by the
best available science;
-(3) supporting adoption by Indian Tribes and local
+(4) supporting adoption by Indian Tribes and local
governmental entities of fire-resistant building methods,
codes, and standards;
-(4) supporting efforts by Indian Tribes and local
+(5) supporting efforts by Indian Tribes and local
governmental entities to address the effects of wildland fire
on those communities, including property damages, air quality,
and water quality;
-(5) encouraging public-private partnerships to conduct
-hazardous fuels management activities in the wildland-urban
-interface, including creating or improving defensible space
-around structures;
-(6) providing technical and financial assistance targeted
+(6) encouraging public-private partnerships to conduct
+hazardous fuels management activities near and within the
+wildland-urban interface, including creating or improving
+defensible space around structures;
+(7) providing technical and financial assistance targeted
towards communities (including Tribal communities) through
streamlined and unified technical assistance and grant
management mechanisms, including the portal and uniform grant
@@ -2353,15 +7414,15 @@
exposure in those communities; and
(B) to mitigate costs for, and improve capacity
among, those communities;
-(7) reducing risk in the built environment by encouraging
+(8) reducing risk in the built environment by encouraging
increased mitigation measures, such as the use of ignition-
resistant construction and retrofitting materials;
-(8) coordinating budgets among the agencies described in
+(9) coordinating budgets among the agencies described in
subsection (a) to identify gaps and reduce overlap;
-(9) supporting the integration of wildland fire risk
+(10) supporting the integration of wildland fire risk
reduction measure and technical assistance into existing
Federal programs, where practicable; and
-(10) advancing the development of early wildfire detection
+(11) advancing the development of early wildfire detection
and warning systems for rapid response and community alerts.
(c) Portal and Uniform Grant Application.--
(1) In general.--As part of the Program, the Secretaries
@@ -2384,9 +7445,10 @@
Act (42 U.S.C. 5133, 5135, 5170c, 5172, 5187).
(2) Simplification of application.--In establishing the
portal and application under paragraph (1), the Secretaries and
-the Administrator shall seek to reduce the complexity and
-length of the application process for the forms of assistance
-described in paragraph (1).
+the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
+shall seek to reduce the complexity and length of the
+application process for the forms of assistance described in
+paragraph (1).
(3) Technical assistance.--The Secretaries shall provide
technical assistance to communities or persons seeking to apply
for financial assistance through the portal using the
@@ -2399,25 +7461,49 @@
(3) seek to gather feedback, as appropriate, from States,
Indian Tribes, local governments, academic or research
institutions, private entities, and such other entities as the
-Secretaries determine to be appropriate, to improve the
+Secretaries and the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting
+through the Administrator of the United States Fire
+Administration, determine to be appropriate, to improve the
function and operation of the Program.
-(e) Coordination.--The Secretaries shall seek to ensure that States
-and Indian Tribes are invited and represented in meetings and other
-activities under this section.
+(e) Coordination.--The Secretaries and the Secretary of Homeland
+Security, acting through the Administrator of the United States Fire
+Administration, shall seek to ensure that States and Indian Tribes are
+invited and represented in meetings and other activities under this
+section.
(f) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
-this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly submit to the relevant
-committees of Congress a report that--
-(1) describes and itemizes the total amount of funding
+this Act, and not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter,
+the Program, acting through the representatives described in subsection
+(a), shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report
+that--
+(1) describes the activities carried out under the Program
+during the 2 preceding years;
+(2) assesses the management, coordination, implementation,
+and effectiveness of Program activities;
+(3) suggests improvements for the coordination and
+engagement of the Program with States, Indian Tribes, units of
+local government, and at-risk communities;
+(4) assesses trends and developments in science and
+engineering relating to wildfire risk reduction in the built
+environment, land-use planning, and vegetation management that
+could be used to improve the effectiveness or efficiency of the
+Program;
+(5) provides recommendations, to the maximum extent
+practicable--
+(A) to improve the Program, including the ability
+of the Program to provide financial or technical
+assistance to States, Indian Tribes, units of local
+government, and at-risk communities; and
+(B) to modify existing requirements for Federal
+assistance or programs that support community wildfire
+risk reduction to improve the delivery, effectiveness,
+or availability of such assistance or programs;
+(6) describes and itemizes the total amount of funding
relating to community wildfire risk reduction that was
obligated during the 2 preceding fiscal years by the agencies
-described in subsection (a);
-(2) describes the activities carried out under the Program
-since the date of enactment of this Act;
-(3) describes any feedback incorporated from non-Federal
+described in subsection (a); and
+(7) describes any feedback incorporated from non-Federal
stakeholders to improve the function and operation of the
-Program; and
-(4) includes an evaluation of the Program in achieving the
-purposes described in subsection (b).
+Program.
(g) Sunset.--The Program terminates on the date that is 7 years
after the date of enactment of this Act.
@@ -2431,17 +7517,19 @@
establish or improve the wildfire resistance of structures and
communities.
(b) Program Priorities.--In carrying out the Program, the
-Secretaries shall evaluate opportunities to establish wildfire-
-resistant structures and communities through--
+Secretaries shall evaluate efforts and opportunities on or after the
+date of enactment of this Act to establish wildfire-resistant
+structures and communities through--
(1) different affordable building materials, including mass
timber;
(2) home hardening, including policies to incentivize and
incorporate defensible space;
-(3) subdivision design and other land-use planning and
+(3) preparation for wildland fire smoke;
+(4) subdivision design and other land-use planning and
design;
-(4) landscape architecture; and
-(5) other wildfire-resistant designs, as determined by the
-Secretary.
+(5) landscape architecture; and
+(6) other wildfire-resistant designs, as determined by the
+Secretaries.
(c) Community Wildfire Defense Innovation Prize.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the
Secretaries shall carry out a competition through which a
@@ -2460,47 +7548,19 @@
the Secretaries shall ensure collaboration and nonduplication of
activities with the Building Technologies Office of the Department of
Energy.
-(e) Sunset.--The Program terminates on the date that is 7 years
+(e) Coordination.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretaries
+shall coordinate with the Administrator of the United States Fire
+Administration.
+(f) Sunset.--The Program terminates on the date that is 7 years
after the date of enactment of this Act.
-SEC. 203. COMMUNITY WILDFIRE DEFENSE ACCOUNTABILITY.
-
-Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and
-not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter, the
-Secretaries, acting through the United States Fire Administration,
-shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress an assessment of
-the Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program established under section
-201(a) that--
-(1) assesses the management, coordination, implementation,
-and effectiveness of program activities;
-(2) suggests improvements for improving the coordination
-and engagement of the program with States, Indian Tribes, units
-of local government, and at-risk communities;
-(3) assesses trends and developments in science and
-engineering relating to wildfire risk reduction in the built
-environment, land use planning, and vegetation management that
-could be used to improve the effectiveness or efficiency of the
-program;
-(4) provides recommendations to improve the ability of the
-program to provide financial or technical assistance to States,
-Indian Tribes, units of local government, and at-risk
-communities;
-(5) identifies opportunities to modify existing
-requirements for Federal assistance or programs that support
-community wildfire risk reduction to improve the delivery,
-effectiveness, or availability of those assistance or programs;
-and
-(6) includes policy and program recommendations to improve
-that program, as determined by the United States Fire
-Administration.
-
-SEC. 204. COMMUNITY WILDFIRE DEFENSE GRANT PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS.
+SEC. 203. COMMUNITY WILDFIRE DEFENSE GRANT PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS.
Section 40803(f) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (16
U.S.C. 6592(f)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1)(B), and inserting the
following:
-``(B) to carry out projects including--
+``(B) to carry out projects, including--
``(i) landscape and hazardous fuels
reduction treatments;
``(ii) the retrofit, modification, or
@@ -2532,11 +7592,10 @@
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Limitation on administrative expenses.--Not
more than 7 percent of funds obligated under this
-section may be used for administrative expenses
-incurred by the Secretary of Agriculture or an at-risk
-community.''.
-
-SEC. 205. UPDATED DEFINITION OF AT-RISK COMMUNITY.
+subsection may be used for administrative expenses
+incurred by the Secretary of Agriculture.''.
+
+SEC. 204. UPDATED DEFINITION OF AT-RISK COMMUNITY.
Section 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
U.S.C. 6511) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
@@ -2559,13 +7618,11 @@
wildfire risk assessment; or
``(C) a group of homes and other structures with
basic infrastructure and services (such as utilities
-and collectively maintained transportation routes)
-located inside, or within 5 miles of, a Wildfire Crisis
-Strategy landscape, as determined by the Secretary of
-Agriculture.''.
-
-Subtitle B--Vegetation Management, Reforestation, and Local Fire
-Suppression
+and collectively maintained transportation routes), as
+determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.''.
+
+Subtitle B--Vegetation Management, Reforestation, and Local Fire Risk
+Mitigation
SEC. 211. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, FACILITY INSPECTION, AND OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE RELATING TO ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION AND
@@ -2657,7 +7714,7 @@
the Bureau of Land Management provided to the owner or operator
of an electric transmission or distribution facility, the
Secretary concerned may provide permission to cut and remove
-trees or other vegetation from within the vicinity of the
+trees or other vegetation from within striking distance of the
electric transmission or distribution facility without
requiring a separate timber sale, if that cutting and removal
is consistent with--
@@ -2672,8 +7729,12 @@
operator of the electric transmission or distribution facility
sells any portion of the material removed under the permit or
easement, the owner or operator shall provide to the Secretary
-concerned any proceeds received from the sale, less any
-transportation costs incurred in the sale.
+concerned any proceeds received from the sale, less any costs
+incurred in 1 or both of the following activities:
+``(A) Carrying out the project.
+``(B) Maintenance within the vicinity of the
+electric transmission or distribution facility that
+reduces fire risk.
``(3) Effect.--Nothing in paragraph (2) shall require the
sale of any material removed under a permit or easement that
includes permission for cutting and removal described in
@@ -2684,11 +7745,11 @@
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) High-priority hazard tree.--The term ``high-priority
hazard tree'' means a standing tree that--
-(A) presents a visible hazard to people or Federal
-property due to conditions such as deterioration of, or
-damage to, the root system, trunk, stem, or limbs of
-the tree, or the direction or lean of the tree, as
-determined by the Secretary;
+(A) presents a visible hazard to people or property
+due to conditions such as deterioration of, or damage
+to, the root system, trunk, stem, or limbs of the tree,
+or the direction or lean of the tree, as determined by
+the Secretary;
(B) is determined by the Secretary to be highly
likely to fail and, on failure, would be highly likely
to cause injury to people or damage to Federal
@@ -2747,8 +7808,10 @@
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly develop and
-implement a strategy, to be known as the ``Seeds of Success strategy'',
-to enhance the domestic supply chain of seeds.
+implement a strategy, which may be an update to or expansion of
+existing efforts, to be known as the ``Seeds of Success strategy'', to
+enhance the domestic supply chain of seeds, which may include
+herbaceous and tree seeds.
(b) Elements.--The strategy developed under subsection (a) shall
include a plan for each of the following:
(1) Facilitating sustained interagency coordination in, and
@@ -2771,9 +7834,8 @@
locally collect, process, and store seed as necessary to
implement revegetation and reforestation projects on priority
land (as defined in section 215(b)(1)).
-(6) Expanding the warehouse system of the Bureau of Land
-Management, particularly the cold storage capacity of the
-system.
+(6) Expanding warehouse systems of the Secretaries,
+particularly the cold storage capacity of the systems.
(7) Shortening the timeline for the approval of permits to
collect seeds on public land managed by the Bureau of Land
Management.
@@ -2838,9 +7900,10 @@
on priority land identified under paragraph (4)(A), in
accordance with this section.
(3) Support.--In carrying out the program established under
-paragraph (2), the Secretary may enter into--
+paragraph (2), the Secretary of the Interior may enter into--
(A) cooperative agreements in accordance with
-processes established by the Secretary; and
+processes established by the Secretary of the Interior;
+and
(B) contracts, including contracts entered into
pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
@@ -2857,8 +7920,8 @@
(C) estimate the costs necessary to implement the
list established under subparagraph (B).
(5) Consultation.--In carrying out the program under this
-subsection, the Secretary shall consult or coordinate with, as
-appropriate--
+subsection, the Secretary of the Interior shall consult or
+coordinate with, as appropriate--
(A) applicable State and local governments;
(B) applicable Indian Tribes;
(C) covered institutions of higher education;
@@ -2867,7 +7930,7 @@
subject of a project identified under paragraph (4)(B);
and
(E) other stakeholders, at the discretion of the
-Secretary.
+Secretary of the Interior.
(6) Annual report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for each of the
following 6 years, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit
@@ -2889,7 +7952,15 @@
implement reforestation projects on all priority land
by not later than 10 years after the date of submission
of the report.
-(7) Nonduplication.--In carrying out this section, the
+(7) Funding source report.--Not later than 1 year after the
+date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior
+shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress, the
+Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Committee on
+Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report that
+describes options for dedicated Federal funding other than
+annual appropriations to support existing and anticipated
+reforestation needs, including seed and seedling availability.
+(8) Nonduplication.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary of the Interior shall collaborate with the Secretary
and the Secretary of Defense to ensure the nonduplication of
activities carried out under section 214.
@@ -2901,35 +7972,32 @@
means--
(A) a State forestry agency;
(B) an Indian Tribe; and
-(C) a private nursery that has experience, as
-determined by the Secretary, in growing high-quality
-native trees of appropriate genetic sources in bareroot
-or container stocktypes specific for reforestation,
-restoration, or conservation, including native plants
-and seeds that are of cultural significance to Indian
-Tribes.
+(C) a private nursery or seed orchard that has
+experience, as determined by the Secretary, in growing
+high-quality native trees or seeds of appropriate
+genetic sources in bareroot or container stocktypes
+specific for reforestation, restoration, or
+conservation, including native plants and seeds that
+are of cultural significance to Indian Tribes.
(2) Nursery.--The term ``nursery'' means a tree or native
plant nursery.
(3) Seed orchard.--The term ``seed orchard'' means a tree
or native plant seed orchard.
-(4) State.--The term ``State'' means--
-(A) each of the several States;
-(B) the District of Columbia;
-(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
-(D) any territory or possession of the United
-States.
(b) Partnerships, Collaboration, and Other Assistance in Support of
Nurseries and Seed Orchards.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief
of the Forest Service, shall--
(1) partner with Federal and State agencies, Indian Tribes,
-institutions of higher education, and private nurseries to
-provide training, technical assistance, and research to nursery
-and tree establishment programs that support natural
-regeneration, reforestation, agroforestry, and afforestation;
+institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and
+private nurseries to provide training, technical assistance,
+and research to nursery and tree establishment programs that
+support natural regeneration, reforestation, agroforestry, and
+afforestation;
(2) promote information-sharing to improve technical
-knowledge and practices and understand demands, climate change
-impacts, and other issues as necessary to address all facets of
-the reforestation supply chain;
+knowledge and practices and understand reforestation needs and
+demands for seed or seedlings, climate change impacts, tree
+genetics for resistance to pathogens and drought, and other
+issues as necessary to address all facets of the reforestation
+supply chain;
(3) provide technical and financial assistance to
international nursery and tree establishment programs through
the Forest Service International Programs, the Institute of
@@ -2945,12 +8013,15 @@
(5) coordinate the efforts of the Department of
Agriculture--
(A) to address the challenges associated with the
-reforestation supply chain; and
+reforestation supply chain, including workforce
+development; and
(B) to leverage economic development assistance for
-work with private nurseries; and
+work with private nurseries;
(6) expand reforestation supply chains through science and
-research, seed collection and storage, and nursery
-infrastructure and operations.
+research, seed collection and storage, workforce development,
+and nursery infrastructure and operations; and
+(7) shorten the timeline for the approval of permits to
+collect seeds on National Forest System land.
(c) Nursery and Seed Orchard Grants.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish or expand
@@ -2973,7 +8044,7 @@
(C) The development or implementation of quality
control measures at nurseries or seed orchards.
(D) The promotion of workforce development within
-any facet of the reforestation pipeline.
+any facet of the reforestation supply chain.
(E) Such other activities as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
@@ -2999,10 +8070,10 @@
suppression cost-share agreement.
(c) Payments.--With respect to payments made pursuant to a fire
suppression cost-share agreement, the standard operating procedures
-under subsection (a)(1) shall require that the Federal paying entity
-shall reimburse a local fire department or a State wildland firefighter
-agency if that entity submits to the Federal paying entity an invoice
-in accordance with applicable cost settlement procedures.
+under subsection (a)(1) shall require that the paying entity shall
+reimburse a local fire department or a State wildland firefighter
+agency if that entity submits to the paying entity an invoice in
+accordance with applicable cost settlement procedures.
(d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Secretaries should carry out reciprocal fire suppression cost-share
agreement repayments to local fire suppression organizations and State
@@ -3022,7 +8093,8 @@
produced by converting feedstock through reductive thermal
processing for a nonfuel use.
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
-(A) a unit of State, Tribal, or local government;
+(A) a unit of State or local government or Indian
+Tribe;
(B) a special district;
(C) an eligible institution;
(D) a public, private, or cooperative entity or
@@ -3151,10 +8223,9 @@
(1)(A), including--
(i) the effects of that biochar on--
(I) forest health and resiliency;
-(II) carbon capture and
-sequestration, including increasing
-soil carbon in the short-term and long-
-term;
+(II) carbon sequestration,
+including increasing soil carbon in the
+short-term and long-term;
(III) productivity, reduced input
costs, and water retention in
agricultural practices;
@@ -3198,9 +8269,10 @@
(A) the effect of biochar on forest health and
resiliency, taking into account variations in biochar,
soil, climate, and other factors;
-(B) the effect of biochar on soil health and water
-retention, taking into account variations in biochar,
-soil, climate, and other factors;
+(B) the effect of biochar on soil health, water
+retention, and air quality emissions, taking into
+account variations in biochar, soil, climate, and other
+factors;
(C) the long-term carbon sequestration potential of
biochar;
(D) best management practices with respect to
@@ -3260,9 +8332,9 @@
activity to reduce the risk of wildfire, including
mechanical treatments, grazing, and prescribed burning.
(B) Exclusion.--The term ``hazardous fuels
-reduction activity'' does not include the provision or
-execution of a contract to carry out an activity
-described in subparagraph (A).
+reduction activity'' does not include the awarding of a
+contract to conduct an activity described in
+subparagraph (A).
(b) Materials Submitted in Support of President's Budget.--
(1) In general.--Beginning with the first fiscal year that
begins after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually
@@ -3296,9 +8368,9 @@
to--
(i) which acres are located in the
wildland-urban interface;
-(ii) the level of wildfire risk (high,
-moderate, or low) of the acres on the first and
-last day of the period covered by the report;
+(ii) the level of hazard potential of the
+acres on the first and last day of the period
+covered by the report;
(iii) the types of hazardous fuels
reduction activities completed with respect to
the acres, including a description of whether
@@ -3343,7 +8415,7 @@
methods to distinguish which acres are located within
the wildland-urban interface and which acres are
located outside the wildland-urban interface.
-(3) Report.--Not later than 14 days after implementing the
+(3) Report.--Not later than 45 days after implementing the
standardized procedures required under paragraph (1), the
Secretary concerned shall submit to Congress a report that
describes--
@@ -3385,11 +8457,13 @@
(F) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;
(G) the United States Fire Administration;
-(H) a State, Tribal, county, or municipal fire
-department or district operating through the United
-States Fire Administration or pursuant to an agreement
-with a Federal agency; and
-(I) any other Federal agency involved in wildfire
+(H) the General Services Administration;
+(I) a State, Tribal, county, or municipal fire
+department, fire district, land management agency,
+natural resources agency, or equivalent agency
+operating through the United States Fire Administration
+or pursuant to an agreement with a Federal agency; and
+(J) any other Federal agency involved in wildfire
response.
(2) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' means--
(A) a private entity;
@@ -3400,80 +8474,95 @@
(3) Pilot program.--The term ``Pilot Program'' means the
deployment and demonstration pilot program established under
subsection (b).
-(4) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means the
-Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior, acting jointly.
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
-enactment of this Act, the Secretaries, in coordination with the heads
-of the covered agencies, shall establish a deployment and demonstration
-pilot program for new and innovative wildfire prevention, detection,
-communication, and mitigation technologies.
-(c) Functions.--In carrying out the Pilot Program, the Secretaries
-shall--
-(1) incorporate the Pilot Program into the National
-Wildfire Coordinating Group;
+enactment of this Act, the Executive Director shall establish a
+deployment and demonstration pilot program for new and innovative
+wildfire prevention, detection, communication, response, and mitigation
+technologies.
+(c) Functions.--In carrying out the Pilot Program, the Executive
+Director shall--
+(1) consult with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group;
(2) in consultation with the heads of the covered agencies,
identify and advance the demonstration and deployment of key
-technology priority areas with respect to the deployment of
-wildfire prevention, detection, communication, and mitigation
-technologies, including--
-(A) hazardous fuels reduction activities or
-treatments;
-(B) dispatch communications;
-(C) remote sensing, detection, and tracking;
-(D) safety equipment;
-(E) common operating pictures or operational
-dashboards; and
-(F) interoperable commercial data; and
+technology priority areas, including for mature and
+commercially available technologies, with respect to the
+deployment of wildfire prevention, detection, communication,
+and mitigation technologies, including--
+(A) innovations in hazardous fuels reduction
+activities or treatments, including the use of
+prescribed or cultural fire;
+(B) spatial planning for unplanned human-caused
+ignitions;
+(C) wildfire modeling and effectiveness algorithms;
+(D) dispatch communications;
+(E) remote sensing, detection, and tracking;
+(F) safety equipment;
+(G) common operating pictures or operational
+dashboards;
+(H) interoperable commercial data;
+(I) autonomous suppression systems;
+(J) grid resilience;
+(K) community resilience and home hardening; and
+(L) prioritization and decision support tools;
(3) connect each covered entity selected to participate in
the Pilot Program with the appropriate covered agency to
coordinate real-time and on-the-ground testing of technology
-during wildfire mitigation activities and training.
+during wildfire mitigation activities and training;
+(4) define clear criteria for evaluating the success of
+technologies (including mature and commercially available
+technologies) demonstrated under the Pilot Program, focusing on
+effectiveness, scalability, and cost-efficiency; and
+(5) coordinate with covered agencies to ensure the
+efficient deployment of scaled technologies, including through
+expanded public-private partnerships, multiagency contracting
+for procurement, and authorization of covered agency staff with
+technological procurement expertise to assist other covered
+agencies in need of that expertise.
(d) Applications.--To be eligible to participate in the Pilot
-Program, a covered entity shall submit to the Secretaries an
+Program, a covered entity shall submit to the Executive Director an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
-information as the Secretaries may require, including a proposal to
-demonstrate technologies specific to key technology priority areas
+information as the Executive Director may require, including a proposal
+to demonstrate technologies specific to key technology priority areas
identified under subsection (c)(2).
-(e) Prioritization of Emerging Technologies.--In selecting covered
-entities to participate in the Pilot Program, the Secretaries shall
-give priority to covered entities that--
-(1) have participated in the Fire Weather Testbed of the
-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; or
-(2) propose in the application under subsection (d) to
-develop and apply emerging technologies for wildfire
-mitigation, including artificial intelligence, quantum sensing,
-computing and quantum-hybrid applications, satellite detection,
-augmented reality, 5G private networks, and device-to-device
-communications supporting nomadic mesh networks and detection.
-(f) Outreach.--The Secretaries, in coordination with the heads of
-the covered agencies, shall make publicly available the key technology
-priority areas identified under subsection (c)(2) and invite covered
-entities to apply under subsection (d) to deploy and demonstrate
-technologies to address those priority areas.
-(g) Reports and Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after the
-date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the duration
-of the Pilot Program, the Secretaries shall submit to the Committee on
-Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on
-Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, and the
-relevant committees of Congress a report that includes the following
-with respect to the Pilot Program:
-(1) A list of participating covered entities.
-(2) A brief description of the technologies deployed and
-demonstrated by each such covered entity.
-(3) An estimate of the cost of acquiring the each such
+(e) Existing Partnerships.--
+(1) In general.--A covered agency may submit a statement to
+the Executive Director describing the effectiveness,
+scalability, and cost-efficiency of an existing partnership,
+pilot project, or contract a covered entity providing a
+technology described in subsection (c)(2).
+(2) Successfulness.--The Executive Director may deem a
+technology described in a statement submitted under paragraph
+(1) to be a successful technology for purposes of this section.
+(f) Outreach.--The Executive Director, in coordination with the
+heads of the covered agencies, shall make publicly available the key
+technology priority areas identified under subsection (c)(2) and invite
+covered entities to apply under subsection (d) to deploy and
+demonstrate technologies to address those priority areas.
+(g) Reports and Recommendations.--Not later than 180 days after the
+date of establishment of the Pilot Program, and annually thereafter for
+the duration of the Pilot Program, the Executive Director shall submit
+to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
+Senate, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
+Representatives, and the relevant committees of Congress a report that
+includes the following with respect to the Pilot Program:
+(1) A brief description of potential technologies deployed
+and demonstrated.
+(2) An estimate of the cost of acquiring each such
technology and applying the technology at scale.
-(4) Outreach efforts by covered agencies to covered
+(3) Outreach efforts by covered agencies to covered
entities developing wildfire technologies.
-(5) Assessments of, and recommendations relating to, new
+(4) Assessments of, and recommendations relating to, new
technologies with potential adoption and application at-scale
in the wildfire prevention, detection, communication, and
mitigation efforts of Federal land management agencies (as
defined in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation
Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801)).
-(6) A description of the relationship and coordination
+(5) A description of the relationship and coordination
between the Pilot Program and the activities of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including the Fire
Weather Testbed.
+(6) Barriers and solutions for procurement of technologies
+by covered agencies.
(h) Sunset.--The Pilot Program terminates on the date that is 7
years after the date of enactment of this Act.
@@ -3514,7 +8603,7 @@
this Act, submit to the relevant committees of Congress a
notice describing the date on which each forest plan referred
to in paragraph (1)(A) was most recently revised, amended, or
-modified;
+otherwise modified;
(4) seek to publish a new, complete version of any forest
plan that the Secretary has been directed by court order to
amend, revise, or modify by not later than 60 days after the
@@ -3527,7 +8616,7 @@
adopted, amended, or modified by a court order as a
single document; and
(B) the most recently published forest plan
-monitoring report for the unit.
+monitoring report for the administrative unit.
(b) Good Faith Updates.--If the Secretary fails to act
expeditiously and in good faith using available funding to revise,
amend, or modify a plan for a unit of the National Forest System as
@@ -3544,18 +8633,18 @@
SEC. 306. CONTAINER AERIAL FIREFIGHTING SYSTEM.
-(a) Evaluation.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
-of this Act, the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior, in
-consultation with the National Interagency Aviation Committee and the
-Interagency Airtanker Board, shall jointly conduct an evaluation of the
-container aerial firefighting system to assess the use of that system
-to mitigate and suppress wildfires.
-(b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of
-this Act, the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior, in
-consultation with the National Interagency Aviation Committee and the
-Interagency Airtanker Board, shall jointly submit to the relevant
-committees of Congress a report that describes the results of the
-evaluation under subsection (a).
+(a) Evaluation.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
+of this Act, the Secretaries, in consultation with the National
+Interagency Aviation Committee and the Interagency Airtanker Board,
+shall jointly conduct an evaluation of the container aerial
+firefighting system to assess the use of that system to mitigate and
+suppress wildfires.
+(b) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the date of completion of
+the evaluation under subsection (a), the Secretaries, in consultation
+with the National Interagency Aviation Committee and the Interagency
+Airtanker Board, shall jointly submit to the relevant committees of
+Congress a report that describes the results of the evaluation under
+subsection (a).
SEC. 307. STUDY ON PINE BEETLE INFESTATION.
@@ -3567,6 +8656,25 @@
(2) submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report
that describes the results of the study under paragraph (1).
+SEC. 308. STUDY ON WILDFIRE SMOKE.
+
+Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
+Secretaries, in coordination with the Administrator of the
+Environmental Protection Agency, shall conduct and publish a study--
+(1) reviewing the 2 most recent international arrangements
+between the Secretaries and the Department of Natural Resources
+of Canada concerning the exchange of wildland fire management
+resources;
+(2) describing the wildland fire management resources
+exchanged under the international arrangements described in
+paragraph (1);
+(3) evaluating the effectiveness of the international
+arrangements described in paragraph (1) in reducing wildfire
+smoke in the United States; and
+(4) making recommendations on best practices to be used in
+international arrangements to reduce international wildfire
+smoke.
+
Subtitle B--White Oak Resilience
SEC. 311. WHITE OAK RESTORATION INITIATIVE COALITION.
@@ -3575,9 +8683,9 @@
the ``White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition'' (referred to in this
section as the ``Coalition'')--
(1) as a voluntary collaborative group of Federal, State,
-Tribal, and local governments and private and nongovernmental
-organizations the purpose of which is to carry out the duties
-described in subsection (b); and
+and local governments, Indian Tribes, and private and
+nongovernmental organizations the purpose of which is to carry
+out the duties described in subsection (b); and
(2) in accordance with the charter entitled ``White Oak
Initiative Coalition Charter'' adopted by the White Oak
Initiative Board of Directors on March 21, 2023 (or a successor
@@ -3586,7 +8694,8 @@
referred to in subsection (a)(2), the duties of the Coalition are--
(1) to coordinate Federal, State, Tribal, local, private,
and nongovernmental activities for the restoration of white oak
-trees in the United States; and
+trees and forests that support white oak trees in the United
+States; and
(2) to make program and policy recommendations, consistent
with applicable forest management plans, with respect to--
(A) changes necessary to address Federal and State
@@ -3609,11 +8718,11 @@
(F) options and policies necessary to improve the
quality and quantity of white oak trees in tree
nurseries.
-(c) Administrative, Staffing, and Technical Support.--The Secretary
-and the Secretary of the Interior shall make available to the Coalition
-such personnel for administrative support, technical services, and the
-development and dissemination of educational materials as those
-Secretaries determine to be necessary to carry out this section.
+(c) Administrative, Staffing, and Technical Support.--The
+Secretaries shall make available to the Coalition such personnel for
+administrative support, technical services, and the development and
+dissemination of educational materials as those Secretaries determine
+to be necessary to carry out this section.
(d) Private Funding.--Subject to the availability of appropriations
made in advance for that purpose, the Secretary may make funds
available to the Coalition to carry out this section from the account
@@ -3677,15 +8786,14 @@
``Program'').
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Program shall include--
(1) coordinating restoration and conservation activities
-among Federal, State, local, and Tribal entities and
+among Federal, State, and local entities, Indian Tribes, and
conservation partners to address white oak restoration
priorities;
(2) improving and regenerating white oak and upland oak
forests and the wildlife habitat such forests provide;
(3) carrying out coordinated restoration and conservation
activities that lead to the increased growth of species of
-white oak in native white oak regions on Federal, State,
-Tribal, and private land;
+white oak in native white oak regions;
(4) facilitating strategic planning to maximize the
resilience of white oak systems and habitats under changing
climate conditions;
@@ -3702,9 +8810,10 @@
(A) the Director of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service; and
(B) the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation
-Service; and
+Service;
(2) the Governor of each State in which restoration efforts
-will be carried out pursuant to the Program.
+will be carried out pursuant to the Program; and
+(3) Indian Tribes.
(d) Duties.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall--
(1) draw on the best available science and management plans
for species of white oak to identify, prioritize, and implement
@@ -3761,24 +8870,26 @@
of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest
Service, shall--
(1) develop and implement a national strategy to increase
-the capacity of Federal, State, Tribal, and private tree
-nurseries to address the nationwide shortage of tree seedlings;
-and
+the capacity of Federal, State, and private tree nurseries and
+tree nurseries of Indian Tribes to address the nationwide
+shortage of tree seedlings; and
(2) coordinate the strategy under paragraph (1) with--
(A) the national reforestation strategy of the
Forest Service; and
(B) each regional implementation plan for National
Forests.
(b) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (a) shall--
-(1) be based on the best available science and data; and
+(1) be based on the best available science and data,
+including the consideration of Indigenous knowledge; and
(2) identify and address--
(A) regional seedling shortages of bareroot and
container tree seedlings;
(B) regional reforestation opportunities and the
seedling supply necessary to fulfill those
opportunities;
-(C) opportunities to enhance seedling diversity and
-close gaps in seed inventories; and
+(C) opportunities to enhance seedling diversity,
+improve quality, quantity, genetic resources, and
+availability, and close gaps in seed inventories; and
(D) barriers to expanding, enhancing, or creating
new infrastructure to increase nursery capacity.
@@ -3794,8 +8905,8 @@
understanding with an Indian Tribe or an eligible institution to
collaboratively conduct research relating to--
(1) white oak genes with resistance or tolerance to stress;
-(2) white oak trees that exhibit vigor for the purpose of
-increasing survival and growth;
+(2) white oak trees that exhibit heritable vigor for the
+purpose of increasing survival and growth;
(3) establishing a genetically diverse white oak seed bank
capable of responding to stressors;
(4) providing a sustainable supply of white oak seedlings
@@ -3818,7 +8929,50 @@
(d) Sunset.--The authority under this section terminates on the
date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
-SEC. 317. USDA FORMAL INITIATIVE.
+SEC. 317. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE.
+
+(a) Partnerships.--
+(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Director
+of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, shall enter
+into a partnership with an eligible entity described in
+paragraph (2) to conduct research on improving white oak
+species resiliency, health, and preservation, including
+research on--
+(A) population-scale sequencing;
+(B) stress response traits;
+(C) seedling physiology and performance; and
+(D) white oak product development.
+(2) Eligible entity.--
+(A) In general.--An eligible entity referred to in
+paragraph (1) is a land-grant college or university
+described in subparagraph (B) that has demonstrated--
+(i) scientific expertise relating to white
+oak;
+(ii) the ability to rapidly transfer
+technologies to the stave industry;
+(iii) geographic proximity to concentrated
+areas of white oak; and
+(iv) support for regional economic
+development.
+(B) Land-grant colleges and universities.--A land-
+grant college or university referred to in subparagraph
+(A) is--
+(i) an 1862 Institution (as defined in
+section 2 of the Agricultural Research,
+Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7
+U.S.C. 7601));
+(ii) an 1890 Institution (as defined in
+that section); or
+(iii) a 1994 Institution (as defined in
+section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-
+Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note;
+Public Law 103-382)).
+(b) Priorities.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the
+National Institute of Food and Agriculture, shall prioritize research
+relating to the resistance of white oak to disease, pest, heat, and
+drought in cultivated, new, and old-growth white oak timber stands.
+
+SEC. 318. USDA FORMAL INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief of the
Natural Resources Conservation Service and in coordination with the
@@ -3835,11 +8989,11 @@
(b) Sunset.--The authority under this section terminates on the
date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
-SEC. 318. USE OF AUTHORITIES.
-
-To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary and the Secretary
-of the Interior shall use the authorities provided under this title in
-combination with other authorities to carry out projects, including--
+SEC. 319. USE OF AUTHORITIES.
+
+To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretaries shall use the
+authorities provided under this title in combination with other
+authorities to carry out projects, including--
(1) good neighbor agreements entered into under section
8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a) (as
amended by this Act); and
@@ -3882,26 +9036,28 @@
Assistance Program'', to provide assistance to the next-of-kin of--
(1) firefighters who, while in the line of duty--
(A) are killed;
-(B) are critically injured; or
+(B) require hospitalization or treatment at a
+medical facility due to a critical injury; or
(C) suffer illness as a result of an exposure or
incident occurring during that line of duty; and
(2) wildland fire support personnel who are killed or
-critically injured in the line of duty.
+require hospitalization or treatment at a medical facility due
+to a critical injury in the line of duty.
(c) Elements.--The program shall address each of the following:
(1) The initial, and any subsequent, notification to the
next-of-kin of firefighters or wildland fire support personnel
who--
(A) are killed in the line of duty; or
(B) require hospitalization or treatment at a
-medical facility due to a line-of-duty injury or
-illness.
+medical facility due to a critical injury or illness in
+the line of duty.
(2) The reimbursement of next-of-kin for expenses
associated with travel to visit firefighters or wildland fire
support personnel who--
(A) are killed in the line of duty; or
(B) require hospitalization or treatment at a
-medical facility due to a line-of-duty injury or
-illness.
+medical facility due to a critical injury or illness in
+the line of duty.
(3) The qualifications, assignment, training, duties,
supervision, and accountability for the performance of casualty
assistance responsibilities.
@@ -3936,7 +9092,575 @@
Safety and Health, regarding the incidence and quality of
casualty assistance provided to survivors and next-of-kin of
firefighters or wildland fire support personnel.
-(d) No Effect on Other Line-of-Duty Death Benefits.--The program
+(d) No Effect on Other Line-of-duty Death Benefits.--The program
shall not affect any existing authority for line-of-duty death benefits
for Federal firefighters or wildland fire support personnel.
-<all>
+
+TITLE V--OTHER MATTERS
+
+SEC. 501. USE OF FUNDS FROM COOPERATIVE FUNDS AGREEMENTS.
+
+(a) Definitions.--In this section:
+(1) Cooperative funds agreement.--The term ``cooperative
+funds agreement'' means an agreement under--
+(A) the Act of June 30, 1914 (commonly known as the
+``Cooperative Funds Act'') (16 U.S.C. 498); or
+(B) section 1 of the Act of March 3, 1925 (16
+U.S.C. 572).
+(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary,
+acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
+(b) Treatment.--
+(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
+notwithstanding any other provision of law, regulation, or
+agency decision, the Secretary shall fulfill the obligations of
+the Federal Government with respect to each cooperative funds
+agreement in effect on or after the date of enactment of this
+Act.
+(2) Exceptions.--The Secretary may waive the applicability
+of paragraph (1) to a cooperative funds agreement if--
+(A) the Secretary determines that 1 or more parties
+to the cooperative funds agreement have not fulfilled
+the obligations of the parties under the cooperative
+funds agreement; or
+(B) fulfilling the obligations of the Federal
+Government with respect to the cooperative funds
+agreement would violate section 1341 of title 31,
+United States Code.
+(c) Limitations.--
+(1) Federal employees.--A Federal employee (including
+seasonal, permanent seasonal, and temporary employees) hired
+using funds provided under a cooperative funds agreement shall
+not, for the duration of the cooperative funds agreement, be
+subject to--
+(A) any limitation on hiring (commonly referred to
+as a ``hiring freeze'');
+(B) any reduction in force; or
+(C) any deferred resignation or voluntary early
+retirement program.
+(2) Non-federal funds.--The non-Federal funds provided to
+the Secretary pursuant to a cooperative funds agreement shall
+not be subject to any limitation on spending.
+
+SEC. 502. EMERGENCY FOREST WATERSHED PROGRAM.
+
+(a) Funding and Administration.--Section 404(b) of the Agricultural
+Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2204(b)) is amended by inserting ``to
+carry out section 401'' after ``for a fiscal year''.
+(b) Emergency Forest Watershed Program.--Title IV of the
+Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended by
+adding at the end the following:
+
+``SEC. 408. EMERGENCY FOREST WATERSHED PROGRAM.
+
+``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
+``(1) Emergency watershed protection measures.--The term
+`emergency watershed protection measures' means measures that--
+``(A) are necessary to address runoff, soil
+erosion, and flooding caused by a natural disaster or
+any other natural occurrence that has caused a sudden
+impairment to natural resources on National Forest
+System land, and the damage, if not treated--
+``(i) would significantly impair or
+endanger the natural resources on the National
+Forest System land; and
+``(ii) would pose an immediate risk to
+water resources or loss of life or property in
+connection to a sudden impairment of a National
+Forest System watershed or downstream of the
+National Forest System land or waterways; and
+``(B) would maintain or restore forest health and
+forest-related resources on the National Forest System
+land.
+``(2) Natural disaster.--The term `natural disaster' has
+the meaning given the term in section 407(a).
+``(3) Sponsor.--The term `sponsor' means--
+``(A) a State or local government;
+``(B) an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of
+the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
+Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); and
+``(C) a water district, water conservation
+district, water utility, or special district.
+``(b) Authorization.--The Secretary, acting through a sponsor, is
+authorized to undertake emergency watershed protection measures on
+National Forest System land.
+``(c) Agreements; Payments.--
+``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31,
+United States Code, the Secretary may enter into an agreement
+with a sponsor and make payments to the sponsor, on request of
+the sponsor, to carry out emergency watershed protection
+measures.
+``(2) Requirements.--
+``(A) Project timelines.--
+``(i) In general.--Following a natural
+disaster or natural occurrence that
+necessitates the carrying out of emergency
+watershed protection measures, the Secretary
+shall execute agreements under paragraph (1) as
+expeditiously as possible.
+``(ii) Timeline.--Each agreement under
+paragraph (1) shall include a timeline by which
+the sponsor shall complete all emergency
+watershed protection measures during the 2-year
+period following the conclusion of the
+applicable natural disaster or natural
+occurrence, as determined by the Secretary,
+that necessitated the carrying out of those
+measures.
+``(iii) Continued monitoring.--A sponsor
+that has entered into an agreement under
+paragraph (1) may monitor, maintain, repair, or
+replace emergency watershed protection measures
+for a period of not more than 3 years following
+the conclusion of the natural disaster or
+natural occurrence, as determined by the
+Secretary, that necessitated the carrying out
+of those measures when failure to do so would
+result in unacceptable risk to National Forest
+System land or downstream water users.
+``(B) Payments.--The Secretary, in accordance with
+an agreement entered into under paragraph (1)--
+``(i) may make partial payments prior to
+completion of the applicable project; and
+``(ii) shall make final payment for the
+project not later than 30 days after the date
+on which the project is completed.
+``(d) Waived Matching Requirements.--The Secretary shall waive any
+matching requirements for payments made under subsection (c)(1).
+``(e) Liability.--
+``(1) In general.--A sponsor that carries out emergency
+watershed protection measures pursuant to an agreement under
+subsection (c)(1) shall not be required to indemnify the United
+States for any liability resulting from carrying out emergency
+watershed protection measures pursuant to that agreement.
+``(2) Savings provision.--Nothing in this subsection
+precludes liability for damages or costs relating to the
+carrying out of emergency watershed protection measures by a
+sponsor pursuant to an agreement entered into under subsection
+(c)(1) if the sponsor acted with willful or wanton negligence
+or reckless conduct in carrying out those measures.
+``(f) Assumption of Risk.--A sponsor that carries out emergency
+watershed protection measures prior to entering into an agreement under
+subsection (c)(1) shall assume the risk of incurring any cost or
+liability resulting from carrying out those measures.''.
+
+SEC. 503. IMPROVING THE EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM.
+
+Section 401 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201)
+is amended--
+(1) in subsection (b)--
+(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and
+Other Emergency Conservation Measures'' after
+``Fencing'';
+(B) in paragraph (1)--
+(i) by inserting ``or for other emergency
+measures to replace or restore farmland or
+conservation structures requiring an immediate
+response (as determined by the Secretary),''
+after ``replacement of fencing,''; and
+(ii) by striking ``option of receiving''
+and all that follows through the period at the
+end and inserting the following: ``option of
+receiving, before the agricultural producer
+carries out the repair, replacement, or
+restoration--
+``(A) with respect to a payment to the agricultural
+producer for a replacement, 75 percent of the cost of
+the replacement, as determined by the Secretary; and
+``(B) with respect to a payment to the agricultural
+producer for a repair or restoration, 50 percent of the
+cost of the repair or restoration, as determined by the
+Secretary.''; and
+(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``60-day'' and
+inserting ``180-day''; and
+(2) by adding at the end the following:
+``(c) Wildfire Determination.--A wildfire that causes damage
+eligible for a payment under subsection (a) includes--
+``(1) a wildfire that is not caused naturally, if the
+damage is caused by the spread of the wildfire due to natural
+causes; and
+``(2) a wildfire that is caused by the Federal
+Government.''.
+
+SEC. 504. IMPROVING THE EMERGENCY FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM.
+
+Section 407 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2206)
+is amended--
+(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``wildfires,'' and
+inserting ``wildfires (including a wildfire that is not caused
+naturally, if the damage is caused by the spread of the
+wildfire due to natural causes, and a wildfire that is caused
+by the Federal Government),'';
+(2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
+(3) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
+``(e) Advance Payments.--
+``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall give an owner of
+nonindustrial private forest land the option of receiving,
+before the owner carries out emergency measures under this
+section, not more than 75 percent of the cost of the emergency
+measures, as determined by the Secretary.
+``(2) Return of funds.--If the funds provided under
+paragraph (1) are not expended by the end of the 180-day period
+beginning on the date on which the owner of nonindustrial
+private forest land receives those funds, the funds shall be
+returned within a reasonable timeframe, as determined by the
+Secretary.''.
+
+SEC. 505. ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIFIED DISASTER ASSISTANCE INTAKE PROCESS
+AND SYSTEM.
+
+The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
+(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
+
+``SEC. 707. ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIFIED DISASTER ASSISTANCE INTAKE
+PROCESS AND SYSTEM.
+
+``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
+``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the
+Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
+``(2) Applicant.--The term `applicant' means--
+``(A) an individual, business, or organization that
+applies for disaster assistance from a disaster
+assistance program;
+``(B) an individual, business, or organization on
+behalf of which an individual described in subparagraph
+(A) applies for disaster assistance from a disaster
+assistance program; and
+``(C) an individual, business, or organization that
+seeks assistance as a beneficiary of a State, local
+government, or Indian tribal government that received
+assistance under a disaster assistance program.
+``(3) Disaster assistance agency.--The term `disaster
+assistance agency' means--
+``(A) the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
+``(B) any Federal agency that provides disaster
+assistance to individuals, businesses, organizations,
+States, local governments, Indian tribal governments,
+communities, or organizations that the Administrator
+certifies as a disaster assistance agency in accordance
+with subsection (f) to carry out the purposes of a
+disaster assistance program.
+``(4) Disaster assistance information.--The term `disaster
+assistance information' includes any personal, biographical,
+demographic, geographical, financial, application decision, or
+other information that a disaster assistance agency, or a
+recipient of a Federal block grant from a disaster assistance
+agency, is authorized to collect, maintain, disclose, or use
+to--
+``(A) process an application for disaster
+assistance from a disaster assistance program; or
+``(B) otherwise carry out the purpose of a disaster
+assistance program.
+``(5) Disaster assistance program.--The term `disaster
+assistance program' means--
+``(A) a program that provides disaster assistance
+to individuals and households under title IV or V in
+accordance with sections 408 and 502; or
+``(B) any other assistance program authorized by a
+Federal statute or funded with Federal appropriations
+under which a disaster assistance agency awards or
+distributes disaster assistance to an individual,
+household, or organization, or provides a Federal block
+grant for these purposes, that arises from a major
+disaster or emergency declared under section 401 or
+501, respectively, including--
+``(i) disaster assistance;
+``(ii) long-term disaster recovery
+assistance;
+``(iii) the post-disaster restoration of
+infrastructure and housing;
+``(iv) post-disaster economic
+revitalization;
+``(v) a loan authorized under section 7(b)
+of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b));
+and
+``(vi) food benefit allotments under
+section 412 of this Act and section 5(h) of the
+Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
+2014(h)).
+``(6) Record.--The term `record' has the meaning given the
+term in section 552a of title 5, United States Code.
+``(b) Unified Disaster Assistance Intake Process and System.--
+``(1) In general.--Not later than 360 days after the date
+of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall, in
+consultation with appropriate Federal, State, local, and Indian
+tribal governments and entities, develop and establish a
+unified intake process and system for applicants for disaster
+assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency to--
+``(A) facilitate a consolidated application for any
+form of disaster assistance provided by a disaster
+assistance agency when appropriate to support the
+nature and purposes of the assistance;
+``(B) carry out the purposes of disaster assistance
+programs swiftly, efficiently, equitably, and in
+accordance with applicable laws and privacy and data
+protections; and
+``(C) support the detection, prevention, and
+investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimination
+in the administration of disaster assistance programs.
+``(2) Capabilities of the consolidated application
+system.--The unified intake process and system established
+under paragraph (1) shall--
+``(A) accept applications for disaster assistance
+programs;
+``(B) allow for applicants to receive status
+updates on applications for disaster assistance
+programs;
+``(C) allow for applicants to update disaster
+assistance information throughout the recovery journeys
+of those applicants;
+``(D) allow for the distribution of information on
+additional recovery resources to disaster survivors
+that may be available in a disaster-stricken
+jurisdiction, in coordination with appropriate Federal,
+State, local, and Tribal partners;
+``(E) provide disaster survivors with information
+and documentation on the applications of those disaster
+survivors for a disaster assistance program;
+``(F) allow for the distribution of application
+data to support faster and more effective distribution
+of Federal disaster assistance, including block grant
+assistance, for disaster recovery;
+``(G) allow for disaster assistance agencies to
+communicate directly with disaster survivors; and
+``(H) contain other capabilities determined
+necessary by the heads of disaster assistance agencies.
+``(3) Updates.--Not later than 30 days after the date on
+which the Administrator receives a request from a disaster
+assistance agency to update questions in the consolidated
+application described in paragraph (1) needed to administer the
+disaster assistance programs of the disaster assistance agency,
+the Administrator shall make those updates.
+``(c) Authorities of Administrator.--The Administrator may--
+``(1) collect, maintain, disclose, and use disaster
+assistance information, including such information received
+from any disaster assistance agency, with any other disaster
+assistance agency for purposes of subsection (b)(1); and
+``(2) subject to subsection (d), authorize the collection,
+maintenance, disclosure, and use of disaster assistance
+information collected on or after the date of enactment of this
+section by publishing a notice on a public website that--
+``(A) includes a detailed description of--
+``(i) the specific disaster assistance
+information authorized to be collected,
+maintained, disclosed, and used;
+``(ii) why the collection, maintenance,
+disclosure, or use of the disaster assistance
+information is necessary to carry out the
+purpose of a disaster assistance program;
+``(iii) how the collection, maintenance,
+disclosure, and use of disaster assistance
+information incorporates fair information
+practices; and
+``(iv) the disaster assistance agencies
+that will be granted access to the disaster
+assistance information to carry out the purpose
+of any disaster assistance program; and
+``(B) provides that the submission of an
+application through a unified disaster application
+constitutes prior written consent to disclose disaster
+assistance information to disaster assistance agencies
+for the purpose of section 552a(b) of title 5, United
+States Code.
+``(d) Collection and Sharing of Records and Information.--
+``(1) Effect of publication of notice on public website.--
+The publication of a notice by the Administrator on a public
+website of a revision to the system of records of the unified
+intake process and system established under subsection (b)(1)
+prior to any new collection, maintenance, disclosure, or use of
+records to carry out the purposes of a disaster assistance
+program with respect to a major disaster or emergency declared
+by the President under section 401 or 501, respectively, of
+this Act shall be deemed to satisfy the notice and publication
+requirements of section 552a(e)(4) of title 5, United States
+Code, for the entire period of performance for any assistance
+provided under a disaster assistance program.
+``(2) Paperwork reduction act waiver.--
+``(A) In general.--Upon the declaration of a major
+disaster or emergency pursuant to section 401 or 501,
+respectively, of this Act, the Administrator may waive
+the requirements of subchapter I of chapter 35 of title
+44, United States Code (commonly known as the
+`Paperwork Reduction Act'), with respect to the
+voluntary collection of information specific to the
+declared major disaster or emergency needed to carry
+out the purposes of a disaster assistance program.
+``(B) Duration.--A waiver described in subparagraph
+(A) shall be in effect for the entire period of
+performance for any assistance provided under a
+disaster assistance program with respect to a declared
+major disaster or emergency.
+``(C) Transparency.--If the Administrator waives
+the requirements described in subparagraph (A), the
+Administrator shall--
+``(i) promptly post on a public website--
+``(I) a brief justification for the
+waiver; and
+``(II) the agencies and offices to
+which the waiver shall apply;
+``(ii) update the information posted under
+clause (i), as applicable; and
+``(iii) comply with the requirements of
+subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United
+States Code (commonly known as the `Paperwork
+Reduction Act') upon the expiration of the
+period of performance of any assistance
+provided under a disaster assistance program if
+the collection of information may be utilized
+for the purposes of supporting the disaster
+assistance program in future major disaster or
+emergency declarations.
+``(D) Effectiveness of waiver.--Any waiver under
+subparagraph (A) shall take effect on the date on which
+the Administrator posts information on the internet
+website as provided for under subparagraph (C).
+``(e) Data Security.--The Administrator shall facilitate the
+collection of disaster assistance information into a unified
+application only after--
+``(1) the Administrator certifies that the unified
+application substantially complies with the data security
+standards established pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 35
+of title 44, United States Code, and any other applicable
+Federal information security policy;
+``(2) the Secretary of Homeland Security publishes a
+privacy impact assessment for the unified application that is
+similar to the privacy assessment conducted under section
+208(b)(1)(B) of the E-Government Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501
+note); and
+``(3) the Administrator, in consultation with disaster
+assistance agencies, publishes standard rules of behavior for
+disaster assistance agencies and personnel granted access to
+disaster assistance information to protect such information
+from improper disclosure.
+``(f) Certification of Disaster Assistance Agencies.--
+``(1) In general.--The Administrator may certify a Federal
+agency as a disaster assistance agency only after posting an
+agreement between the Administrator and the Federal agency on a
+public website that contains the detailed terms of the
+agreement.
+``(2) Contents of agreement.--An agreement between the
+Administrator and a Federal agency described in paragraph (1)
+shall state that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and
+the Federal agency will--
+``(A) collect, disclose, maintain, and use disaster
+assistance information in accordance with--
+``(i) this section; and
+``(ii) subject to subsection (i)(2), any
+existing policies of the Federal Emergency
+Management Agency and the Federal agency for
+information protection and use;
+``(B) train any personnel granted access to
+disaster assistance information on the rules of
+behavior established by the Administrator under
+subsection (e)(3);
+``(C) in the event of any unauthorized disclosure
+of disaster assistance information--
+``(i) not later than 24 hours after
+discovering the unauthorized disclosure--
+``(I) in the case of an
+unauthorized disclosure by the Federal
+agency, notify the Administrator of the
+disclosure; and
+``(II) in the case of an
+unauthorized disclosure by the Federal
+Emergency Management Agency, notify
+disaster assistance agencies of the
+disclosure;
+``(ii) cooperate fully with the
+Administrator and disaster assistance agencies
+in the investigation and remediation of the
+disclosure; and
+``(iii) cooperate fully in the prosecution
+of a person responsible for the disclosure; and
+``(D) assume responsibility for any compensation,
+civil liability, or other remediation measure awarded
+by a judgment of a court or agreed upon as a compromise
+of any potential claim by or on behalf of an applicant,
+including by obtaining credit monitoring and
+remediation services, for an improper disclosure of
+disaster assistance information that is--
+``(i) caused, directly or indirectly, by
+the acts or omissions of an officer, employee,
+or contractor of the Federal agency; or
+``(ii) from any electronic system of
+records that was created or maintained by the
+Federal agency pursuant to section 552a(e) of
+title 5, United States Code.
+``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
+shall be construed to require a Federal agency to sign an
+agreement described in paragraph (2) if the head of that
+Federal agency determines that the inclusion of the assistance
+program of that Federal agency in the unified intake process
+and system established under this section is not appropriate to
+support the nature and purposes of the assistance programs
+under the jurisdiction of that Federal agency.
+``(g) Reports.--
+``(1) FEMA.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
+enactment of this section, and every year thereafter for 2
+years, the Administrator, in coordination with the heads of
+disaster assistance agencies, shall submit to Congress a report
+on the implementation of this section, including--
+``(A) how disaster assistance agencies are working
+together to implement the requirements under this
+section;
+``(B) the effect of this section on disaster
+survivor burden and the speed and efficiency of
+delivering disaster assistance; and
+``(C) a description of any other challenges that
+require further legislative action.
+``(2) GAO.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
+enactment of this section, the Comptroller General of the
+United States shall submit to Congress a report on how the
+implementation of this section has affected the disaster
+survivor experience, and any recommendations for improvements
+to the requirements under this section.
+``(h) Briefings.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
+enactment of this section, and again not later than 180 days after the
+date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall brief
+Congress on--
+``(1) the status of the implementation of the requirements
+under this section; and
+``(2) how disaster assistance agencies are working together
+to implement the requirements under this section.
+``(i) Rules of Construction.--
+``(1) Inapplicability of matching program provisions.--The
+disclosure and use of disaster assistance information subject
+to the requirements of section 552a of title 5, United States
+Code, among disaster assistance agencies or with State, local,
+or Tribal governments carrying out disaster assistance programs
+shall not--
+``(A) be construed as a matching program for the
+purpose of section 552a(a)(8) of title 5, United States
+Code; or
+``(B) be subject to subsection (e)(12), (o),
+(p)(1)(A)(ii), (q), (r), or (u) of section 552a of
+title 5, United States Code.
+``(2) Authorities in other laws.--Nothing in this section
+shall be construed to affect the authority of an entity to
+share disaster assistance information regarding programs funded
+or facilitated by the entity in accordance with any other law
+or agency policy.
+``(3) Applying to multiple programs.--Nothing in this
+section shall be construed to require an applicant to apply to
+more than 1 disaster assistance program.''.
+Calendar No. 212
+
+119th CONGRESS
+
+1st Session
+
+S. 1462
+
+_______________________________________________________________________
+
+A BILL
+
+To improve forest management activities on National Forest System land,
+public land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management,
+and Tribal land to return resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested
+land, and for other purposes.
+
+_______________________________________________________________________
+
+October 27, 2025
+
+Reported with an amendment

Lobbying activity

Organizations whose LDA filings reference this bill, ranked by filing count. Position not disclosed — LDA does not require lobbyists to report support / oppose / monitor. Bill-number references can be stale (lobbyists sometimes copy text year-over-year), so verify against the filing description.

CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
ANINAT
7
filings · 2026 Q3
ENTERGY SERVICES LLC
ENV
6
filings · 2026 Q3
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
RES
6
filings · 2026 Q3
ITC HOLDINGS CORP
ENV
5
filings · 2026 Q3
CLIMATE AND WILDFIRE INSTITUTE
NAT
5
filings · 2026 Q3
ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING HOLDINGS (AEMH)
ENV
5
filings · 2026 Q3
TALL TIMBERS RESEARCH, INC.
NAT
5
filings · 2026 Q3
SIERRA CLUB
NAT
5
filings · 2026 Q3
PENNSYLVANIA FARM BUREAU
NAT
5
filings · 2026 Q3
RURAL VOICES FOR CONSERVATION COALITION
NAT
5
filings · 2026 Q3

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Cosponsors (3)

Members who signed on to support this bill.

Hickenlooper D
Sheehy R
Padilla D