Wildfire Coordination Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3923
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-01T13:07:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Wildfire Coordination Act (H.R. 3923) aims to improve the coordination and practical application of wildfire research across the federal government. It establishes a permanent advisory board to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world wildfire operations, helping to reduce risks from wildfires through better integration of knowledge from various fields like science, public health, and technology.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Board: The Secretary of the Interior must create the Wildfire Science and Technology Advisory Board as a permanent advisory committee.
- Duties of the Board:
- Coordinate the use of wildfire research in federal operations by identifying ways to apply it practically, prioritizing projects, supporting transitions to real-world use, connecting researchers and operators, providing feedback, and partnering with private sector or research centers.
- Encourage researchers and agencies to include diverse expertise, such as public health, weather science (meteorological science), predictive modeling, and considerations for both urban (built) and natural fire-prone areas.
- Share information through tools like newsletters, online portals, webinars, and workshops to reach stakeholders, while promoting the Board's activities for wider visibility.
- Membership:
- Includes designees from 18 federal entities, such as the Secretaries of Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce; chiefs/directors of agencies like the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, FEMA, NOAA, USGS, and others (e.g., CDC, EPA, NASA).
- Up to 18 non-federal members appointed by the Secretary of Interior, including at least one each from state, local, and tribal governments; plus representatives from fire departments, private sector (e.g., standards organizations, fire risk experts), researchers in wildfire/forest health, public health experts, meteorologists, and modeling specialists.
- Non-federal members serve 2-year terms; vacancies filled similarly. No pay for members, but travel expenses covered under federal rules.
- Chairperson rotates annually among key secretaries (Interior, Agriculture, Commerce), with option for Board to choose otherwise.
- Support and Operations:
- Board can appoint staff (paid up to Executive Schedule Level V), detail federal employees without cost, and hire temporary services under federal guidelines.
- Reporting: Within 2 years of enactment, submit a report to specified congressional committees detailing activities, progress on research-to-operations transition, barriers, and recommendations for future priorities.
- Termination and Funding: Exempt from automatic sunset under federal advisory committee rules (5 U.S.C. § 1013(a)(2)). Authorizes $10 million in appropriations (available until spent); federal members can use unspecified agency funds.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Creates a new, permanent interagency advisory board focused specifically on wildfire science and technology, which did not previously exist in this form.
- Exempts the Board from the standard 2-year termination review for federal advisory committees, ensuring long-term continuity.
- Introduces structured mechanisms for prioritizing and transitioning research into operations, filling gaps in current federal wildfire coordination laws (e.g., under the Interior Secretary's authorities or related acts like the Wildfire Disaster Recovery Act).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances collaboration among federal entities (e.g., Interior, Agriculture, FEMA) to apply research more effectively, potentially streamlining wildfire response, prevention, and resource allocation. Could reduce duplication in efforts and improve operational efficiency.
- On Citizens: May lead to better wildfire prediction, mitigation, and response, lowering risks to communities in fire-prone areas, protecting public health (e.g., from smoke), and supporting ecological restoration. Benefits could include safer living environments and more resilient infrastructure.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the focus is domestic federal coordination; indirect benefits could arise from advanced U.S. wildfire tech shared globally, but no international provisions are included.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Interior Department (lead), Agriculture/Forest Service, Commerce/NOAA, FEMA, USGS, EPA, CDC, NASA, and others involved in land management, emergency response, science, and health.
- State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Representatives ensure input on regional needs; tribes gain voice in wildfire issues affecting reservations.
- Fire Departments and First Responders: Direct access to research and best practices for operations.
- Private Sector and Researchers: Includes experts in risk mitigation, standards, prescribed burns (controlled fires), forest health, public health, meteorology, and modeling; partnerships could foster innovation.
- General Public: Indirectly benefits through improved national wildfire management, especially in Western states prone to fires.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Operates under the Federal Advisory Committee Act framework but with permanence and exemptions, ensuring compliance while allowing flexibility. No new regulatory powers; advisory role avoids overreach.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over federal lands and interstate commerce (e.g., wildfire impacts on environment and economy); promotes interagency cooperation without infringing on state rights, as non-federal input is included.
- Political: Addresses growing wildfire crises (e.g., due to climate change) by bipartisan sponsors (from Colorado and California), signaling priority for disaster resilience. Could influence future appropriations and policy, but report to multiple committees ensures broad oversight without concentrating power.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
- 2025-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
- 2025-06-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Wildfire Coordination Act — issued 2025-06-11 — PDF (10 pages)