Wildfire Recovery Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5652
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-26T16:52:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Wildfire Recovery Act (H.R. 5652) aims to increase federal financial support for wildfire management by amending the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (commonly called the Stafford Act). This law provides federal aid for disasters, including wildfires. The bill seeks to reduce the financial burden on state and local governments during wildfire responses by raising the minimum federal contribution and allowing more flexible reimbursements.
Key Provisions
- Increased Federal Cost Share: The bill sets the federal share of eligible wildfire management costs at no less than 75%. This applies only to funds appropriated (allocated by Congress) on or after the bill's enactment.
- Rulemaking for Further Increases: Within three years of enactment, the President, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator, must create rules outlining when the federal cost share can exceed 75%. These rules must include a financial threshold to evaluate the impact on state or local governments responding to a wildfire.
- Policy Update for Reimbursements: FEMA must revise its grant policies under the Stafford Act to allow reimbursement for "predeployment" of resources—meaning costs incurred by states, local governments, or Tribal nations for preparing and positioning assets (like equipment or personnel) before a wildfire is officially declared for federal aid. This aligns with reimbursement rules for major disasters or emergencies.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current law (Section 420 of the Stafford Act), the federal share for fire management assistance is typically 75% but can vary, often leaving states and locals to cover 25% or more. The bill locks in a minimum 75% federal share, preventing reductions below this level for future appropriations.
- It introduces new criteria for potentially increasing the federal share beyond 75% based on financial hardship, which did not exist before.
- The policy update expands eligible costs to include predeployment expenses, which were previously ineligible or inconsistently covered, making aid more consistent with other disaster responses.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: FEMA will face increased administrative responsibilities, including rulemaking and policy updates, potentially leading to higher federal spending on wildfire aid. State, local, and Tribal governments will benefit from reduced out-of-pocket costs, easing budget strains during wildfire seasons.
- On Citizens: Residents in wildfire-prone areas (especially in the western U.S.) may see faster and more effective responses due to better-funded state and local preparations, potentially reducing property damage, health risks from smoke, and recovery times.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic wildfire management within the U.S.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Primary beneficiaries, as they manage initial wildfire responses and will receive higher federal reimbursements, particularly in fire-vulnerable states like California (where many bill sponsors serve).
- FEMA and Federal Agencies: Responsible for implementing changes, including processing more claims and developing new guidelines.
- Firefighters and Emergency Responders: Indirectly supported through funding for predeployment resources, improving response capabilities.
- Taxpayers: Federal costs may rise, but state/local taxes could decrease due to less burden on non-federal entities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill strengthens the Stafford Act's framework for wildfires, which are treated as a type of disaster but not always as "major disasters." By aligning fire aid with broader disaster policies, it clarifies reimbursement rules and reduces potential disputes over eligible costs. No major challenges to federal authority are introduced, as it builds on existing congressional power to regulate interstate disasters.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's Spending Clause authority (Article I, Section 8) to allocate federal funds for public welfare, including disaster relief. It does not infringe on state sovereignty but enhances cooperative federalism by providing more aid without mandating state actions.
- Political: Reflects growing bipartisan concern over wildfires amid climate change, with sponsors from both parties emphasizing flexibility for under-resourced areas. It could set a precedent for adjusting federal shares in other disaster types, potentially influencing future budget debates on emergency funding.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (18)
Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-09-30: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Wildfire Recovery Act — issued 2025-09-30 — PDF (3 pages)