The White Oak Resilience Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2405
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-08: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-434, Part I.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T05:06:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The White Oak Resilience Act (H.R. 2405) aims to promote the restoration, resilience, and natural regeneration of white oak forests across the United States. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to establish collaborative initiatives, pilot projects, research programs, and strategies to address declining white oak populations, improve forest health, enhance wildlife habitats, and support sustainable management on federal, state, tribal, and private lands. The overall goal is to use science-based approaches to increase white oak growth while adapting to challenges like climate change and nursery shortages.
Key Provisions
- Definitions (Section 2): Defines key terms such as "Governor" (executive officials of states, tribes, or Puerto Rico), "Indian Tribe" (as per federal law), and "State" (includes U.S. states, D.C., and territories).
- White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition (Section 3): Establishes a voluntary group involving federal, state, tribal, local governments, and private/non-governmental organizations. Duties include coordinating restoration efforts, recommending policy changes to boost white oak health and regeneration, addressing research gaps, improving outreach to landowners, and enhancing nursery supplies. Secretaries provide administrative and technical support; funding can come from existing agricultural accounts.
- Forest Service Pilot Program (Section 4): Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (via the Forest Service) to run 5 pilot projects in national forests for white oak restoration, with at least 3 in forests reserved from public lands. Allows cooperative agreements; ends after 7 years.
- Department of the Interior Assessment and Pilots (Section 5): Mandates an assessment of Interior-managed lands (e.g., wildlife refuges, abandoned mine sites) for white oak presence and restoration potential, using external data sources. A report is due to Congress within 90 days of enactment. Follows with 5 pilot projects; allows cooperative agreements; ends after 7 years.
- White Oak and Upland Oak Habitat Regeneration Program (Section 6): Secretary of Agriculture establishes a non-regulatory program within 180 days to prioritize restoration using best science, collaborate with the coalition and other agencies, and develop a cost-effective strategy. Purposes include coordinating activities, improving habitats, public engagement, and building scientific capacity. Includes voluntary grants and technical assistance administered via the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (subject to existing foundation laws); ends after 7 years.
- Tree Nursery Shortages Strategy (Section 7): Secretary of Agriculture (via Forest Service) develops a national strategy within 1 year to boost nursery capacity for tree seedlings, addressing shortages, reforestation needs, diversity, and infrastructure barriers. Coordinates with existing Forest Service plans.
- White Oak Research (Section 8): Allows Secretary of Agriculture to partner with tribes or land-grant colleges (1862, 1890, or 1994 institutions) via memorandums of understanding for research on topics like stress-resistant genes, seed banks, regeneration methods, and socio-economic aspects. Permits consultations with other experts; ends after 7 years.
- USDA Formal Initiative (Section 9): Secretary of Agriculture (via Natural Resources Conservation Service and Forest Service) launches an initiative to re-establish forests, improve management, provide landowner assistance, expand nursery stock, and adapt seedlings; ends after 7 years.
- Authorities (Section 10): Encourages combining these provisions with existing tools like "good neighbor agreements" (partnerships with states/tribes for forest work) and "stewardship contracting" (flexible federal contracting for restoration).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new programs, coalitions, and strategies without directly amending prior statutes. It builds on existing frameworks, such as the Food Security Act (for funding), Indian Self-Determination Act (for tribal definitions), and Healthy Forests Restoration Act (for contracting). Key additions include mandatory pilots, assessments, and a dedicated regeneration program, which expand federal support for white oak-specific efforts beyond general forest management laws. Most authorities sunset after 7 years, providing temporary enhancements rather than permanent overhauls.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Departments of Agriculture (Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service) and Interior, requiring coordination, reporting, and funding allocation (subject to appropriations). Could streamline restoration via partnerships but adds short-term administrative burdens.
- Citizens and Landowners: Benefits private forest owners through technical assistance, grants, and outreach to regenerate white oak, potentially improving timber resources, wildlife habitats, and resilience to climate stressors. Public engagement may raise awareness and involvement in conservation.
- International Relations: No direct impacts; focuses on domestic U.S. forests and lands.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service) and Department of the Interior (e.g., Fish and Wildlife Service); National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for grant administration.
- State, Tribal, and Local Governments: Governors, Indian Tribes, and territories involved in coordination, pilots, and policy recommendations.
- Private and Non-Governmental Entities: Forest landowners, conservation organizations, nonprofits, land-grant colleges, and tree nurseries benefiting from grants, research, and technical support.
- Broader Public: Wildlife enthusiasts, rural communities, and industries reliant on oak forests (e.g., timber, recreation).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on existing federal authorities for funding and contracting, minimizing new regulatory burdens (e.g., non-regulatory program). Sunsets ensure temporary scope, reducing long-term fiscal commitments. Cooperative agreements and partnerships respect tribal sovereignty under federal Indian law.
- Constitutional: No major issues; aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority over natural resources and property management. Voluntary elements (e.g., coalition, grants) avoid mandates on states or individuals.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) suggests broad support for environmental restoration. Emphasizes collaboration across ownership types, potentially bridging divides in forest policy debates. Could influence future climate adaptation efforts by prioritizing specific species resilience.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1], Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4], Rep. Rogers, Harold [R-KY-5], Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-08: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-434, Part I.
- 2026-01-08: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-434, Part I.
- 2025-07-15: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-07-15: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-04-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
- 2025-04-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- 2025-03-27: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-27: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- The White Oak Resilience Act — issued 2025-03-27 — PDF (14 pages)