Strengthening Wildfire Resiliency Through Satellites Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 527

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-16: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2026-06-19T08:05:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Strengthening Wildfire Resiliency Through Satellites Act of 2025 aims to enhance the monitoring and management of wildfires in the United States by leveraging advanced satellite technology. It seeks to improve early detection, response, and recovery efforts through a new federal grant program, ultimately building resilience against wildfire risks.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of Grant Program: Within one year of enactment, the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, or USGS) must create a competitive grant program. At least three grants will be awarded to eligible entities to monitor wildfires using satellites.
• Eligible Uses of Grants:
• Purchase and integrate high-resolution imaging capabilities from satellites, covering visible light, near-infrared, shortwave infrared, thermal infrared, and radar data, through public-private partnerships.
• Analyze and apply the data to detect wildfire behavior (e.g., active fires, burned areas, intensity, and severity), ensure safe prescribed burns (controlled fires used for prevention), and support post-fire risk assessments and recovery.
• Eligibility and Application: Eligible entities include state foresters, emergency managers, or similar state officials. Applications must follow USGS guidelines on timing, format, and content.
• Grant Amounts: Determined by the Secretary as appropriate for each project.
• Reporting Requirement: By the end of the second fiscal year after enactment, the Secretary must report to Congress on: number of applications received; details of grant recipients; program impacts on wildfire prevention; recommendations for making it a permanent program; and other effectiveness metrics.
• Funding Authorization: $20 million is authorized for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to implement the program.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new, dedicated grant program under USGS authority specifically for satellite-based wildfire monitoring. It does not amend existing laws but builds on USGS's role in earth observation by mandating public-private partnerships and emphasizing advanced spectral imaging (a method using different light wavelengths to detect heat and damage). Previously, wildfire monitoring relied on general USGS satellite data without this targeted, grant-funded integration for state-level use.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: USGS and the Department of the Interior will gain resources and responsibilities for administering grants, potentially improving coordination with state agencies for faster wildfire responses. This could reduce federal response costs through better prevention.
• Citizens: Residents in wildfire-prone areas (e.g., Western U.S. states) may benefit from enhanced early warnings, safer prescribed burns, and quicker recovery, leading to fewer property losses, injuries, or evacuations.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, though improved U.S. satellite data capabilities could indirectly support global wildfire monitoring efforts if shared internationally.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: USGS and the Secretary of the Interior, responsible for program setup and oversight.
• State Officials: Foresters, emergency managers, and equivalents who can apply for and use grants.
• Private Sector: Companies providing satellite imaging technology, involved via partnerships.
• Communities and Congress: Fire-affected regions gain tools for resilience; Congress receives reports to evaluate and potentially extend the program.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill authorizes specific appropriations without mandating them, giving Congress flexibility in budgeting. It promotes public-private partnerships, which could streamline technology adoption but requires ensuring compliance with federal procurement rules.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, to promote general welfare through disaster management. No apparent conflicts with states' rights, as grants empower state officials.
• Political: Addresses growing wildfire threats due to climate change, potentially appealing across party lines in fire-vulnerable districts. The reporting and long-term recommendation provisions allow for future expansions, signaling a proactive federal stance on environmental resilience without imposing broad regulations.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-16: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-01-16: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Strengthening Wildfire Resiliency Through Satellites Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-16 — PDF (4 pages)