Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3924
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-14: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T15:35:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act (H.R. 3924) aims to improve long-term wildfire management in the United States by requiring federal agencies to conduct regular, comprehensive reviews of wildfire risks. It promotes a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to address wildfires across jurisdictions, forecasting challenges over the next 20 years and informing strategic actions to build resilient landscapes, fire-adapted communities, and effective responses.
Key Provisions
- Sense of Congress: Expresses congressional support for collaborative wildfire management involving federal, state, Tribal, and local governments. It highlights the need for interagency solutions and references two key reports: the 2014 National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (updated in 2023), which focuses on three goals—resilient landscapes, fire-adapted communities, and safe wildfire response—and the 2023 Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission report, which provides expert recommendations for better outcomes.
- Quadrennial Fire Review:
- The Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, and Homeland Security (through qualified agencies like the Forest Service, Department of the Interior, FEMA, and U.S. Fire Administration) must jointly conduct a review every four years.
- The review includes:
- A quantitative analysis (using numbers and data) of changes in built (human-made) and natural environments since the last review, and how these affect pre-fire prevention (mitigation), during-fire response, and post-fire recovery.
- An analysis of wildfire's links to public health, coordinated with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Reporting Requirements:
- A joint report must be submitted to relevant congressional committees (e.g., House Committees on Natural Resources, Homeland Security, and Science, Space, and Technology; Senate Committees on Energy and Natural Resources, Governmental Affairs, and Commerce, Science, and Transportation) within 12 months of enactment, and every four years for 20 years.
- Report contents include:
- Results of the review and resulting administrative actions/outcomes.
- Summary of anticipated 20-year wildfire challenges and long-term management issues.
- Recommendations for federal laws and administrative steps to address findings and challenges.
- Evaluation of progress toward the three goals in the National Cohesive Strategy and implementation of the 2023 Commission's recommendations.
- Projected future scenarios to guide adjustments in programs, strategies, workforce, and capabilities.
- Definitions:
- Qualified agencies: Specific entities under each Secretary, plus others as determined appropriate.
- Relevant committees: Listed congressional committees overseeing the bill's topics.
- Secretaries: The three specified department heads.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new mandate for quadrennial (every four years) wildfire reviews and reporting, which does not appear to exist in current law. It builds on existing strategies (like the 2014/2023 National Cohesive Strategy) by requiring periodic evaluations and progress tracking, but adds formal interagency coordination with public health agencies (EPA and HHS/CDC) and a 20-year forecasting horizon. No amendments to prior laws are specified; it creates fresh reporting obligations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases coordination among Agriculture, Interior, Homeland Security, EPA, and HHS, potentially straining resources for data analysis and reporting but improving strategic planning and response effectiveness. Qualified agencies may need to realign programs or workforce based on review findings.
- On Citizens: Could lead to better prevention, response, and recovery in wildfire-prone areas, reducing risks to communities, public health (e.g., from smoke), and property. Benefits fire-adapted communities through long-term strategies.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts; the focus is domestic wildfire management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, and Homeland Security (via Forest Service, DOI bureaus, FEMA, U.S. Fire Administration); EPA and HHS/CDC for public health input.
- State, Tribal, and Local Governments: Involved in multi-jurisdictional planning and response; reviews aim to include them for holistic solutions.
- Communities and Citizens: Residents in wildfire-risk areas (e.g., Western U.S.), benefiting from enhanced mitigation and adaptation.
- Congressional Committees: Receive reports to inform oversight and legislation.
- Experts and Organizations: Builds on inputs from prior commissions and strategies, potentially engaging diverse stakeholders like firefighters and environmental groups.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable reporting deadlines and interagency duties, potentially subject to judicial review if unmet. No conflicts with existing environmental or emergency management laws noted.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over federal lands, spending, and interagency coordination under Article I; promotes executive branch collaboration without infringing on state powers.
- Political: Encourages bipartisan, consensus-driven wildfire policy by referencing expert reports and emphasizing cross-jurisdictional equity. Could influence future funding or reforms but may face debates over resource allocation in budget-constrained environments. The 20-year limit on reviews suggests a temporary framework, possibly for evaluation before permanence.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-14: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-05-14: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-05-14: Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
- 2025-12-11: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-12-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 2025-06-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-06-11: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Science, Space, and Technology, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 Committees on Agriculture, Science, Space, and Technology, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 Committees on Agriculture, Science, Space, and Technology, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 Committees on Agriculture, Science, Space, and Technology, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 Risk Evaluation Act — issued 2025-06-11 — PDF (7 pages)