Fix Our Forests Act

Bill Number: H.R. 471
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-03-06: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-27.
Last Updated: 2026-07-11T16:23:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471) aims to speed up environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, a law requiring federal agencies to assess environmental impacts before major actions) and improve forest management on National Forest System lands (managed by the U.S. Forest Service), public lands under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Tribal lands. The goal is to reduce wildfire risks, restore overgrown and fire-prone forests to make them more resilient, and enhance coordination across agencies, states, tribes, and local groups.

Key Provisions

The bill is divided into four titles, focusing on wildfire prevention, community protection, technology, and firefighter support. Many provisions sunset (expire) after 7 years unless noted otherwise.

Title I: Landscape-Scale Restoration

Subtitle A: Addressing Emergency Wildfire Risks in High Priority Firesheds (Firesheds are large landscape areas with similar wildfire threats.)
Designates initial "fireshed management areas" based on high-risk zones from existing Forest Service data; updates every 5 years.
Establishes a Fireshed Center (interagency hub with representatives from multiple federal agencies) to assess fire risks, predict smoke and fire behavior using tools like AI, and share data for planning, response, and recovery.
Creates a public Fireshed Registry website with interactive maps on wildfire exposure, past treatments, and project tracking.
Requires shared stewardship agreements with states and tribes for cross-boundary risk reduction and assessments.
Mandates fireshed assessments (evaluations of risks and projects) using best science, including Tribal knowledge; exempts these from NEPA.
Authorizes "emergency fireshed management" projects (e.g., thinning vegetation, creating fire breaks, removing hazard trees, grazing) in designated areas, using streamlined NEPA categorical exclusions (pre-approved shortcuts for low-impact actions) up to 10,000 acres.
Subtitle B: Expanding Collaborative Tools
Modifies "good neighbor agreements" (partnerships with states, tribes, locals for restoration) to allow revenue sharing for roads and extend to 2030.
Fixes stewardship contracting (using timber receipts to fund projects) by extending contract terms to 20 years and adding cancellation protections.
Creates intra-agency strike teams for faster reviews and project implementation.
Raises small business bidding thresholds for restoration projects and extends related programs (e.g., Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration to 2030).
Promotes grazing for fuels reduction and expands water source protection to adjacent non-federal lands.
Subtitle C: Litigation Reform
Limits court injunctions (blocks) on fireshed projects unless plaintiffs prove likely success and no other remedies exist; requires balancing short- and long-term ecosystem effects.
Shortens filing deadlines for lawsuits to 120 days; bars claims not raised in public comments.
Exempts forest plans from re-consultation under the Endangered Species Act (ESA, a law protecting threatened wildlife) for new listings or information.

Title II: Protecting Communities in the Wildland-Urban Interface

(Wildland-urban interface refers to areas where homes and wildlands meet, increasing fire risks.)

Establishes a Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program for interagency coordination on research, building codes, and grants; creates a single application portal for federal funding.
Expands research on fire-resistant designs (e.g., materials, home hardening) with prizes for innovations.
Increases buffer zones for utility lines (from 10 to 150 feet) to remove hazard trees; streamlines plan approvals to 120 days.
Creates a NEPA categorical exclusion for utility vegetation management.
Develops a "Seeds of Success" strategy to boost native seed supply for post-fire restoration.
Sets up a DOI program for priority reforestation on disturbed lands (e.g., after fires or insects).
Standardizes timely repayments to local fire departments under cost-share agreements.

Title III: Transparency, Technology, and Partnerships

Subtitle A: Transparency and Technology
Funds biochar (carbon-rich soil amendment from biomass) demonstration projects and research grants for forest health, carbon storage, and markets; prioritizes rural jobs.
Requires accurate annual reports on hazardous fuels reduction (vegetation treatments to lower fire risk), with standardized tracking.
Launches a public-private pilot for deploying wildfire tech (e.g., AI, sensors, communications).
Directs GAO and Forest Service studies on firefighting operations, western headquarters, and pine beetle infestations.
Mandates updates to forest plans and public websites for monitoring.
Evaluates Container Aerial Firefighting System (modular water/foam delivery).
Allows utilities to remove vegetation near lines without separate permits, sharing sale proceeds.
Subtitle B: White Oak Resilience
Forms a White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition for coordination and policy recommendations.
Funds 5 Forest Service and 5 DOI pilot projects for white oak regeneration (a key tree species for ecosystems and timber).
Establishes a non-regulatory program with grants via the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for restoration, habitat, and nurseries.
Addresses seedling shortages with a national strategy; funds research on resilient white oak genetics.

Title IV: Ensuring Casualty Assistance for Our Firefighters

Creates a Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance Program for DOI to support families of injured or killed wildland firefighters and support staff, including notifications, travel reimbursements, counseling, and benefits info; does not alter existing death benefits.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

NEPA and ESA Reforms: Exempts fireshed designations and assessments from NEPA; limits litigation timelines and remedies; prevents automatic re-consultations on forest plans for new ESA listings.
Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) Amendments: Increases categorical exclusion acreage limits from 3,000-4,500 to 10,000 acres; expands fire regime coverage; adds local governments and special districts (semi-autonomous local entities) to definitions.
Good Neighbor and Stewardship Authorities: Extends good neighbor agreements to 2030, allows road construction revenue use, and includes tribes/special districts; lengthens stewardship contracts to 20 years with termination fees.
FLPMA (Federal Land Policy and Management Act): Expands utility vegetation management buffers and auto-approves plans after 120 days.
Other: Aligns water protection with adjacent lands; updates watershed frameworks; extends programs like Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration to 2030.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Streamlines processes for USDA Forest Service and DOI (e.g., BLM, National Park Service), potentially accelerating thousands of acres of treatments annually; requires new centers, registries, and reports, increasing coordination but adding administrative burdens. May reduce litigation delays, allowing faster project starts.
Citizens: Lowers wildfire risks to homes, water supplies, and air quality in fire-prone areas, especially wildland-urban interfaces; improves post-fire recovery and community grants. Rural economies could benefit from jobs in restoration, biochar, and tech.
International Relations: No direct impacts; focuses on domestic lands.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Agencies: USDA (Forest Service), DOI (BLM, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs), FEMA, NOAA, and others for coordination and funding.
States, Tribes, and Local Governments: Governors, Tribal leaders, counties, municipalities, and special districts gain partnership opportunities, funding access, and input on assessments/projects.
Communities and Citizens: Residents in high-risk firesheds and wildland-urban interfaces benefit from risk reduction; firefighters and families receive better support.
Private and Nonprofit Entities: Utilities (for vegetation management), timber/forest product companies, nonprofits (e.g., National Fish and Wildlife Foundation), researchers, and businesses (e.g., biochar, tech firms) access grants, contracts, and markets.
Environmental and Conservation Groups: Affected by faster approvals and litigation limits, potentially altering project oversight.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Introduces strict limits on judicial review and injunctions for fireshed projects, which could face challenges for weakening NEPA/ESA protections (e.g., reduced public input or species safeguards). Categorical exclusions expand "emergency" authorities, risking overuse without full environmental analysis. Aligns with recent laws like the Fiscal Responsibility Act (2023) for faster NEPA processes.
Constitutional: Potential due process concerns if litigation reforms limit access to courts without adequate remedies; no direct First Amendment issues, but shorter comment periods may affect public participation.
Political: Promotes bipartisan wildfire priorities (e.g., resilience, rural jobs) but may polarize along environmental lines—supporters see it as urgent risk reduction, critics as bypassing safeguards. Encourages cross-jurisdictional collaboration, potentially influencing future climate/fire policy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]

Cosponsors (56)

Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Begich, Nicholas [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5], Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48], Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6], Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] and 6 more

Recent Actions

2025-03-06: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-27.
2025-01-28: Received in the Senate.
2025-01-23: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-01-23: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 279 - 141 (Roll no. 25). (text: CR H321-333) (Roll call 25)
2025-01-23: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 279 - 141 (Roll no. 25). (text: CR H321-333) (Roll call 25)
2025-01-23: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H346-347)
2025-01-23: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 471, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Peters demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2025-01-23: The House adopted the amendments en gros as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
2025-01-23: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2025-01-23: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 471.
2025-01-23: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 53, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Carbajal amendment No. 2.
2025-01-23: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 53, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perry amendment No. 1.
2025-01-23: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 471.
2025-01-23: The Speaker designated the Honorable Dale W. Strong to act as Chairman of the Committee.
2025-01-23: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 53 and Rule XVIII.

Bill Versions

Fix Our Forests Act — issued 2025-01-23 — PDF (120 pages)
Fix Our Forests Act — issued 2025-01-16 — PDF (118 pages)