FIRE SMART Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4812
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2895)
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-04T19:50:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update its regulations on drinking water State revolving funds. These updates expand the allowable uses of the funds to support water infrastructure projects that provide both drinking water benefits and fire suppression capabilities in rural communities facing high wildfire risk.
Key Provisions
- Requires the EPA Administrator to revise specific sections of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (sections 35.3505, 35.3520, and 35.3555) within two years of enactment.
- Defines key terms: “community at high risk from fire or wildfire” (based on state or federal geospatial wildfire maps), “rural” and “rural area” (using existing U.S. Department of Agriculture definitions), and “water infrastructure for fire suppression” (improvements to public water systems that aid fire protection while meeting Safe Drinking Water Act standards).
- Amends project eligibility rules to include enhancements to water delivery, distribution, storage, and consolidation that support fire suppression in high-risk rural areas.
- Adjusts priority systems so that projects with both drinking water and fire suppression benefits in qualifying communities receive priority, especially those with community wildfire protection plans or proactive fire-risk reduction measures.
- Mandates immediate implementation of the revised rules starting on the date of enactment, before formal regulatory updates are completed.
- Authorizes purely technical and conforming changes to related regulations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill modifies existing EPA regulations that govern the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It broadens the scope of eligible projects to explicitly incorporate fire suppression objectives alongside traditional drinking water protection goals, creating a new category of dual-benefit infrastructure improvements limited to rural high-risk areas.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The EPA must revise and apply new regulatory criteria; state agencies that administer the revolving funds will need to update their priority systems and project evaluation processes.
- Citizens and communities: Rural municipalities and residents in high-wildfire-risk areas may gain access to federal funding for water system upgrades that improve both water quality and fire protection.
- No direct effects on international relations are described in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The EPA and state environmental or health agencies administering revolving fund programs.
- Rural and exurban municipalities and public water systems in communities identified as high risk for wildfire.
- Residents and property owners in those communities, who may benefit from improved infrastructure.
- Organizations involved in wildfire preparedness, such as those developing community wildfire protection plans.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within the EPA’s existing authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act and does not alter statutory language, only agency regulations. It introduces no apparent constitutional issues and maintains a focus on public health and safety objectives. Implementation begins immediately upon enactment, which may accelerate project eligibility changes before full regulatory rulemaking is finalized.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (7)
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2895)
- 2026-06-17: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Firefighting Infrastructure for Rural and Exurban Smaller Municipalities Augmenting Residential Fuels Treatments Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-17 — PDF (5 pages)