Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1045
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-16: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-24T12:48:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025 aims to expand wildfire research and prevention efforts in the southwestern United States by adding the state of Utah to an existing federal program. This program focuses on improving forest health and reducing wildfire risks through dedicated research institutes.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The Act is officially named the "Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025."
- Amendment to Establish an Additional Institute: The Act modifies Section 5(b)(2) of the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2004 (a law that supports research institutes in certain states to address forest and wildfire issues). It adds Utah as a participating state, listing it as subparagraph (D) alongside existing states (Arizona, New Mexico, and presumably others based on prior law).
- Conforming Change: Section 5(e)(1) of the 2004 Act is updated to explicitly include "Utah" in the list of covered states, ensuring consistency across the law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The 2004 Act previously authorized research institutes in states like Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado but did not include Utah. This Act extends the program's geographic scope by mandating the establishment of an additional institute in Utah.
- These changes are technical amendments: they add Utah to the list of eligible states without altering the core functions or funding mechanisms of the institutes, which focus on collaborative research, education, and wildfire mitigation strategies.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service (which administers the 2004 Act), will need to establish and support a new institute in Utah, potentially increasing administrative and funding responsibilities for wildfire research.
- On Citizens: Residents of Utah, particularly in wildfire-prone areas, may benefit from localized research leading to better prevention tools, early warning systems, and forest management practices, reducing risks to communities, property, and natural resources.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the Act is focused on domestic U.S. forest policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State of Utah: Gains a dedicated research institute, enhancing its capacity for wildfire science and collaboration with federal partners.
- Federal Agencies: Including the Forest Service and related entities, which will oversee the new institute's operations and integration into the national wildfire strategy.
- Researchers and Educational Institutions: Universities and experts in Utah will likely participate in the institute, fostering innovation in fire ecology and prevention.
- Local Communities and Landowners: In Utah's forests and wildland-urban interfaces, who stand to gain from improved wildfire resilience measures.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The Act is a straightforward amendment that builds on existing authority under the 2004 law, requiring no new appropriations (funding would come from existing program resources). It promotes federal-state partnerships without raising significant legal challenges.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3) to manage federal lands and support environmental research, posing no apparent constitutional issues.
- Political: Represents a targeted expansion of environmental policy to address regional wildfire threats, potentially setting a precedent for including additional states in similar programs amid growing climate-related fire risks. It passed the House in 2025 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for further review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-16: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-12-15: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-12-15: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5876-5877)
- 2025-12-15: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5876-5877)
- 2025-12-15: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1045.
- 2025-12-15: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5876-5878)
- 2025-12-15: Mr. Stauber moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-09-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 236.
- 2025-09-15: Committee on Agriculture discharged.
- 2025-09-15: Committee on Agriculture discharged.
- 2025-09-15: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-280, Part I.
- 2025-09-15: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-280, Part I.
- 2025-07-23: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-23: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-07-23: Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
Bill Versions
- Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-15 — PDF (4 pages)
- Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-06 — PDF (2 pages)
- Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-16 — PDF (2 pages)
- Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-15 — PDF (4 pages)