Bill Summary
The "Fit for Purpose Wildfire Readiness Act of 2025" is a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing the federal government's response to wildfires. It instructs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to collaboratively create a plan to reorganize and consolidate federal wildland fire preparedness, suppression, and recovery efforts under a new agency called the "National Wildland Firefighting Service."
Key elements of the legislation include:
1. **Agency Creation**: Establishing the National Wildland Firefighting Service to centralize fire response efforts.
2. **Planning Requirements**: The plan must outline a budget for the new agency, qualifications for its Director (who will be appointed by the President with Senate approval), and the necessary resources and authorities for effective operation.
3. **Reporting**: The Secretaries are required to submit a detailed report on the plan to various congressional committees within 180 days of the act's enactment.
Overall, this legislation seeks to improve coordination and effectiveness in federal wildfire management efforts.
Possible Impacts
The "Fit for Purpose Wildfire Readiness Act of 2025" could affect people in several ways:
1. **Improved Wildfire Response**: By consolidating federal wildland fire response efforts under a single agency, the National Wildland Firefighting Service, the legislation aims to streamline operations and enhance coordination. This could lead to quicker and more effective responses to wildfires, reducing the risk to communities, property, and natural resources. As a result, residents in fire-prone areas might experience less damage during wildfire events and improved overall safety.
2. **Job Creation and Professional Standards**: The establishment of the National Wildland Firefighting Service will likely create new jobs and opportunities in wildfire management and firefighting. This can lead to increased employment for those seeking careers in this field. Additionally, the requirement for specific qualifications for the Director and possibly for other positions in the new agency could raise professional standards and attract skilled individuals to wildfire management roles, ultimately benefiting the effectiveness of wildfire response efforts.
3. **Resource Allocation and Budgeting**: The requirement for a budget to support the National Wildland Firefighting Service could lead to better resource allocation for wildfire prevention, preparedness, and recovery efforts. This may result in increased funding for local firefighting resources, enhanced training programs, and improved technology for firefighting. Communities may benefit from enhanced local fire services, educational programs about fire safety, and better infrastructure to protect against wildfires.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 441 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 441
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the
Interior to develop a plan to reorganize Federal wildland fire
response, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 6 (legislative day, February 5), 2025
Mr. Sheehy (for himself and Mr. Padilla) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the
Interior to develop a plan to reorganize Federal wildland fire
response, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fit for Purpose Wildfire Readiness
Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. FEDERAL WILDLAND FIRE RESPONSE REORGANIZATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of
the Interior (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretaries'') shall
jointly develop a plan to consolidate the authorities of the
Secretaries relating to Federal wildland fire preparedness,
suppression, and recovery efforts under an agency of the Department of
the Interior, to be known as the ``National Wildland Firefighting
Service''.
(b) Requirements.--The plan developed under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) a budget for the National Wildland Firefighting
Service;
(2) a description of the qualifications required for an
individual to be appointed to be the Director of the National
Wildland Firefighting Service, who shall be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate;
and
(3) a description of the resources and authorities
necessary to consolidate Federal wildland fire response efforts
of the Secretaries in the National Wildland Firefighting
Service.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly submit a report describing the
plan developed under subsection (a) to--
(1) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate;
(2) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives.
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