Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6154

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-05-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.

Last Updated

2026-05-22T08:08:00Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act of 2025 aims to create a network of regional research centers focused on wildland fires—unplanned or prescribed fires in natural vegetation areas. It seeks to improve understanding, prediction, mitigation, and management of these fires through coordinated research, technology development, and training, ultimately supporting safer and more effective fire response across the U.S.

Key Provisions

• Definitions: The bill defines key terms, such as "wildland fire" (fires in vegetation, excluding structures), "wildland fire research" (studies on fire causes, behavior, impacts, mitigation, and restoration), and entities like federal agencies, Indian Tribes, institutions of higher education, and land-grant colleges (public universities focused on agriculture and related fields).

• Establishment of Regional Centers:
• The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior must competitively select and establish at least 8 regional wildland fire research centers at institutions of higher education or land-grant colleges.
• Timeline: Start with a pilot of at least 2 centers as soon as possible after enactment (subject to funding), followed by the remaining centers within 2 years.
• Selection Criteria: Prioritize institutions with existing fire research programs, federal/academic partnerships, involvement in the Joint Fire Science Program (a collaborative research initiative), or status as minority-serving institutions (schools supporting underrepresented students).
• Regional Coverage: At least one center per defined U.S. region (Alaska, California, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Islands, Plains and Northeast, Rockies, Southeast, Southwest).
• Center Purposes: Coordinate research with federal agencies (e.g., EPA, NOAA, NASA, USGS), develop predictive models for fire spread/smoke/vegetation response, create tools for real-time decision-making, support land management to reduce fire severity, address post-fire risks (e.g., flooding), train on careers and prescribed fires (controlled burns), manage data openly using FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable), and share all outputs publicly.

• National Center Coordination Board:
• Established as a federal board with one member from each regional center, co-chaired by the Forest Service Chief and an Administrator (likely from a relevant agency like NOAA).
• Duties: Set research priorities based on agency needs, coordinate data collection/sharing, avoid duplication with other entities (e.g., national labs, USGS), and help agencies adopt research findings.
• Operations: Meets quarterly; holds annual public meetings in each covered state; members serve 4-year terms (staggered initially); submits annual recommendations to the Secretaries.

• Regional Advisory Boards:
• One board per center, established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (a law governing public input to federal decisions).
• Composition: Includes reps from federal fire agencies, state forestry experts (appointed by governors), Tribal experts, and elected members from academia, nonprofits, industry, firefighters, and restoration groups.
• Duties: Coordinate regional research with agencies, communicate operational needs, advise on goals, and disseminate findings; meets quarterly; voluntary, uncompensated service; 4-year terms.

• Reporting and Consultation:
• Secretaries must submit reports to congressional committees (e.g., Agriculture, Natural Resources) at 2 and 4 years post-enactment, detailing center progress and improvement recommendations.
• Requires consultation with federal science agencies and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (a White House group advising on science issues).

• Funding:
• Authorizes $60–64 million annually (2026–2030) for centers (increasing yearly) and $1 million yearly for the board.
• Allows funds for construction/equipment; flexible adjustments for regional needs (with congressional notice); permits transfers from other federal science agencies.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new infrastructure by mandating the creation of regional centers and oversight boards, which do not currently exist in this form. It builds on programs like the Joint Fire Science Program but expands coordination across regions and agencies. It also formalizes data-sharing standards (FAIR principles) and career training for fire research, potentially integrating with laws like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (which supports job training pathways). No explicit repeals or amendments to prior laws are mentioned, but it enhances federal research mandates under acts like the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Federal wildland fire management agencies (Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs) gain better tools for prediction, mitigation, and decision-making, potentially reducing response costs and improving efficiency. Other science agencies (e.g., NASA, DOE) may collaborate more, sharing resources.

• Citizens: Could lead to safer communities through reduced fire risks, better smoke impact predictions, post-fire flood warnings, and training for prescribed burns, benefiting public health, property, and ecosystems. Rural and fire-prone areas (e.g., Western states) may see targeted improvements.

• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. fire research could indirectly support global efforts on climate-driven wildfires via shared data or technologies.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Government: Departments of Agriculture and Interior (lead implementation); wildland fire agencies; science entities like NOAA, EPA, NASA, USGS, and national labs.
• State and Local: State forestry agencies and governors (via advisory roles); communities in fire-prone regions.
• Tribal Nations: Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations (advisory input on Tribal/Federal lands).
• Academic and Research Institutions: Higher education, land-grant colleges, and minority-serving institutions (host centers, conduct research).
• Other Groups: Firefighters and their organizations; nonprofits, private industry, and restoration institutes (advisory and partnership roles); the public (via open data and meetings).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Complies with the Federal Advisory Committee Act for transparent public involvement; emphasizes open data access, aligning with federal open science policies. Authorizations require congressional appropriations, so actual funding depends on budget processes.
• Constitutional: Supports the federal role in managing public lands (under Property Clause of the Constitution) and interstate commerce affected by fires; involves Tribal consultation, respecting sovereignty under laws like the Indian Self-Determination Act.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan priorities like disaster resilience and climate adaptation; prioritizes underrepresented institutions and Tribes, advancing equity. Could influence future budgets for fire management amid rising wildfire costs, but implementation hinges on agency coordination and funding availability.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]

Recent Actions

• 2026-05-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
• 2026-05-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
• 2025-11-19: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and 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.
• 2025-11-19: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and 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.
• 2025-11-19: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and 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.
• 2025-11-19: Introduced in House
• 2025-11-19: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-19 — PDF (21 pages)