Wildfire Emergency Act of 2023
This bill provides for programs and activities in support of forest restoration, wildfire mitigation, and energy resilience.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall establish a pilot program under which it may enter into conservation finance agreements with public or private persons to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration and land management projects across the National Forest System.
The bill provides for an increased federal cost share for conservation finance projects that would primarily benefit one or more low-income communities and for which the nonfederal entities involved cannot meet a specified cost share requirement.
The Department of Energy shall establish a program to support critical facilities (e.g., hospitals), including by improving the energy resilience and power needs of critical facilities through the development and use of microgrids, renewable energy, energy efficiency, reduced electricity demand, and on-site storage.
The bill expands the weatherization assistance program to support the use of fire-resistant materials.
The bill directs USDA and the Department of the Interior to take actions to improve the detection and monitoring of wildfires.
USDA and Interior shall establish one or more centers in western states to train individuals in methods relevant to the mitigation of wildfire risk.
USDA shall establish a competitive grant program to support workforce development in forestry and fire management.
USDA may issue grants to increase community capacity for land stewardship activities.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 188 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 188
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to select and implement
landscape-scale forest restoration projects, to assist communities in
increasing their resilience to wildfire, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 31, 2023
Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Daines, and Mr. Wyden)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to select and implement
landscape-scale forest restoration projects, to assist communities in
increasing their resilience to wildfire, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Wildfire Emergency
Act of 2023''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--LANDSCAPE-SCALE FOREST RESTORATION
Sec. 101. Definitions.
Sec. 102. Purpose.
Sec. 103. Conservation finance agreements.
Sec. 104. Report evaluating implementation.
TITLE II--INCREASING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE TO WILDFIRE
Sec. 201. Critical infrastructure and microgrid program.
Sec. 202. Retrofits for fire-resilient communities.
Sec. 203. Wildfire detection, monitoring, and analysis equipment.
TITLE III--RESEARCH, TRAINING, AND CAPACITY BUILDING
Sec. 301. Western prescribed fire centers.
Sec. 302. Innovative forest workforce development program.
Sec. 303. National community capacity and land stewardship grant
program.
TITLE I--LANDSCAPE-SCALE FOREST RESTORATION
SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Conservation finance agreement.--The term
``conservation finance agreement'' means a mutual benefit
agreement (excluding a procurement contract, grant, or
cooperative agreement described in chapter 63 of title 31,
United States Code) for a conservation finance project--
(A) the term of which is not less than 2, and not
more than 20, years;
(B) that may provide that performance under the
agreement during the second and subsequent years of the
agreement is contingent on the appropriation of funds
or receipt of collections; and
(C) that may provide for a cancellation payment to
be made to the conservation finance project developer
if those appropriations are not made or collections are
not received.
(2) Conservation finance project.--The term ``conservation
finance project'' means a project--
(A) conducted on National Forest System land and
may include land adjoining National Forest System land;
(B) that would--
(i) protect, restore, or improve National
Forest System land; and
(ii) use a conservation finance model that
employs a debt financing approach that uses
loaned capital from a conservation finance
project investor to cover up-front project
costs, with the loaned capital repaid over time
by conservation finance project beneficiaries;
and
(C) the purpose of which is to conduct ecological
restoration treatments that, at the time of selection
for a conservation finance agreement under the pilot
program established under section 103(a)--
(i) are conducted under the Collaborative
Forest Landscape Restoration Program
established under section 4003 of the Omnibus
Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C.
7303);
(ii)(I) were previously conducted under the
Program described in clause (i);
(II) are no longer eligible for funding
under that Program due to a time limitation
under subsection (b)(1)(B) or (d)(4)(B) of that
section; and
(III) are otherwise eligible for funding
under that Program;
(iii) are conducted by a water source
investment partnership established under
section 303(c) of the Healthy Forests
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6542(c)); or
(iv) are conducted under the Joint Chiefs
Landscape Restoration Partnership Program
established under section 40808 of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (16
U.S.C. 6592d).
(3) Conservation finance project beneficiary.--The term
``conservation finance project beneficiary'' means a nonprofit,
for-profit, or Federal, State, local, or Tribal governmental
entity or individual that--
(A) benefits from conservation finance project
outcomes; and
(B)(i) provides capital directly to fund a
conservation finance project; or
(ii) repays to a conservation finance project
investor up-front loaned capital for a conservation
finance project at a rate of return agreed to by the
entity or individual and the conservation finance
project investor.
(4) Conservation finance project developer.--The term
``conservation finance project developer'' means a nonprofit or
for-profit intermediary that assists in developing, financing,
funding, or implementing a conservation finance project.
(5) Conservation finance project investor.--The term
``conservation finance project investor'' means a nonprofit,
for-profit, or State, local, or Tribal governmental entity or
individual that provides up-front loaned capital for a
conservation finance project.
(6) Ecological integrity.--The term ``ecological
integrity'' has the meaning given the term in section 219.19 of
title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date
of enactment of this Act).
(7) Low-income community.--The term ``low-income
community'' has the meaning given the term in section 45D(e) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(8) National forest system.--The term ``National Forest
System'' means the portion of the National Forest System
located west of the 100th meridian.
(9) Restoration.--The term ``restoration'' has the meaning
given the term in section 219.19 of title 36, Code of Federal
Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this
Act).
(10) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(11) Wildland-urban interface.--The term ``wildland-urban
interface'' has the meaning given the term in section 101 of
the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6511).
SEC. 102. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this title is to increase the pace and scale of
forest restoration and land management projects across the National
Forest System by--
(1) authorizing a pilot program with conservation finance
agreement authority to leverage other Federal and non-Federal
investment (in addition to funds appropriated to the Forest
Service) in landscape-scale, multistakeholder land management
activities and related natural and built infrastructure and
associated local employment opportunities;
(2) encouraging project planning and analysis that
effectively scale up to the landscape level of 100,000 acres or
more;
(3) supporting projects that emphasize--
(A) the reintroduction of characteristic fire,
based on forest ecology and reference conditions,
through the use of prescribed fire, wildfire managed
for resource benefits, or both;
(B) restoring terrestrial and aquatic areas that
lack ecological integrity; or
(C) reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire
and improving forest resiliency;
(4) requiring ecological standards and collaboration for
landscape-scale projects; and
(5) coordinating with Federal, State, local, and Tribal
entities to support the pilot program described in paragraph
(1) by taking full advantage of existing interagency agreements
and authorities.
SEC. 103. CONSERVATION FINANCE AGREEMENTS.
(a) Pilot Program Authority.--The Secretary shall establish a pilot
program under which the Secretary may enter into a conservation finance
agreement with a public or private person, including a for-profit or
nonprofit organization, to carry out a conservation finance project if
the Secretary finds each of the following:
(1) There is a reasonable expectation that, throughout the
contemplated agreement period, the Secretary will request
funding for the agreement at the level required to avoid
agreement cancellation.
(2) The environmental analysis for the project demonstrates
that there is a supply sufficient to support a conservation
finance agreement of--
(A) small-diameter material; or
(B) other hazardous fuels, the removal of which
would reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire.
(3) The use of the conservation finance agreement will
assist in achieving the purpose described in section 102.
(4) The project involves a conservation finance project
developer.
(b) Limited Delegation.--The Secretary may not delegate the pilot
program authority under subsection (a) to a Federal official that
serves under the Chief of the Forest Service.
(c) Limitations.--The pilot program authority under subsection
(a)--
(1) may not be used to enter into more than 20 conservation
finance agreements;
(2) may be used for the obligation under conservation
finance agreements of--
(A) during the 10-year period beginning on the date
of enactment of this Act, not more than $250,000,000 in
the aggregate; and
(B) not more than $50,000,000 for any 1
conservation finance agreement; and
(3) may not be used to reimburse for interest paid to any
other entity providing funds for the applicable conservation
finance project.
(d) Priority.--In entering into conservation finance agreements
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to projects
described in that subsection that are based on restoration strategies
addressing larger landscapes, particularly landscapes of 100,000 acres
or more.
(e) Cancellation, Termination, or Modification for Insufficient
Funding.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Insufficient funding.--If funds are not made
available for the continuation of a conservation
finance agreement made under this section into a
subsequent fiscal year, the agreement shall be
canceled, terminated, or modified.
(B) Payment of costs.--If the Secretary determines
that it is necessary to cancel or terminate a
conservation finance agreement pursuant to subparagraph
(A), and the conservation finance agreement includes a
cancellation or termination provision as described in
paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary may pay the costs of
that cancellation or termination using any of the
following amounts:
(i) Appropriations originally available for
the performance of the applicable conservation
finance agreement.
(ii) Appropriations currently available for
the type of services concerned under the
applicable conservation finance agreement, and
not otherwise obligated.
(iii) Funds appropriated for payment of the
costs of cancellation or termination.
(2) Provisions in agreements.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may include
cancellation or termination provisions in conservation
finance agreements under this section to the extent
that those provisions are necessary and in the best
interests of the United States.
(B) Considerations.--The cancellation or
termination provisions described in subparagraph (A)
may include consideration of the recurring and
nonrecurring costs of the conservation finance project
developer under the applicable conservation finance
agreement.
(3) Cancellation and termination costs.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may obligate funds
in stages that are economically or programmatically
viable to cover any potential cancellation or
termination costs related to the Federal share of the
costs under a conservation finance agreement under
paragraph (1)(B) and implement the agreement pursuant
to this section.
(B) Advance notice to congress of cancellation or
termination costs in excess of $25,000,000.--Not later
than 30 days before entering into a conservation
finance agreement under this section that includes
cancellation or termination costs in excess of
$25,000,000, but does not include proposed funding for
the costs of cancelling or terminating the agreement up
to the maximum cancellation or termination costs in the
agreement, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and
the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives a written
notice that includes--
(i) a description of the cancellation or
termination cost amounts proposed for each
program year in the agreement;
(ii) the reasons why the cancellation or
termination cost amounts described under clause
(i) were selected;
(iii) a description of the extent to which
the costs of agreement cancellation or
termination are not included in the budget for
the agreement; and
(iv) an assessment of the financial risk of
not including budgeting for the costs of
agreement cancellation or termination.
(C) Transmittal of notice to omb.--Not later than
14 days after the date on which written notice is
provided under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall
transmit a copy of the notice to the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget.
(D) Determination of cancellation or termination
costs specific to a conservation finance agreement.--
The Secretary may enter into a conservation finance
agreement pursuant to this section that includes
conservation finance project developer services in
return for payments by the Secretary in future years
that are contingent on the appropriation of funds,
subject to the requirement that the Secretary shall pay
the conservation finance project developer the Federal
share of the cancellation or termination costs under
the agreement pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) up to the
limitation on cancellation or termination costs
applicable to the agreement if funding for the
completion of the agreement is not appropriated.
(f) Non-Federal Cost Share.--
(1) In general.--The non-Federal share of the costs of
implementing a conservation finance agreement carried out using
amounts made available under this title shall be not less than
40 percent of the costs of implementing the conservation
finance agreement, of which, subject to paragraph (2)--
(A) up to 50 percent may be reimbursed by the
Forest Service, subject to the availability of
appropriations and subsections (c)(3) and (e); and
(B) not less than 50 percent shall be covered by
non-Federal funding, which may include in-kind
contributions.
(2) Cost share for low-income communities.--In the case of
a conservation finance project that the Secretary determines
would primarily benefit 1 or more low-income communities and
for which the non-Federal entities involved cannot meet the
cost share requirement under paragraph (1)--
(A) subparagraph (A) of that paragraph shall be
applied by substituting ``75 percent'' for ``50
percent''; and
(B) subparagraph (B) of that paragraph shall be
applied by substituting ``25 percent'' for ``50
percent''.
(3) Savings provision.--Nothing in this subsection limits
additional non-Federal financing or funding for a conservation
finance project above the 40 percent minimum non-Federal cost
share described in paragraph (1).
(g) Stewardship End Result Contracting Project Authorities.--A
conservation finance agreement developed under this section may
incorporate the authorities provided to the Secretary and the Chief of
the Forest Service to enter into stewardship contracting projects under
section 604 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C.
6591c).
SEC. 104. REPORT EVALUATING IMPLEMENTATION.
Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate a report evaluating the implementation of
this title, including--
(1) a list of conservation finance agreements entered into
under this title and the accomplishments under the projects
carried out under those agreements; and
(2) an evaluation of the pilot authority for conservation
finance agreements described in section 103, including whether
that authority has--
(A) increased the availability of non-Federal
funding sources to assist in landscape-scale forest
restoration projects;
(B) promoted private or other non-Federal
investment in--
(i) new or existing infrastructure and
related equipment that can make use of the
byproducts of forest restoration;
(ii) the use of prescribed fire at a
greater scale;
(iii) related economic development and
workforce training and development;
(iv) land management activities enhancing
natural infrastructure with benefits for
downstream water users; or
(v) mitigating the risk of uncharacteristic
wildfire; and
(C) any barriers limiting the broader use or
implementation of the pilot project authority to
additional projects, including risks that may
discourage further participation and investment by
outside parties.
TITLE II--INCREASING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE TO WILDFIRE
SEC. 201. CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND MICROGRID PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Critical facility.--
(A) In general.--The term ``critical facility''
means a facility that provides services or may be
used--
(i) to save lives;
(ii) to protect property, public health,
and public safety; or
(iii) to lessen or avert the threat of a
catastrophe.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``critical facility''
includes--
(i) a hospital;
(ii) an outpatient clinic;
(iii) a nursing home;
(iv) a police station;
(v) an emergency operation center;
(vi) a jail or prison;
(vii) a fire station;
(viii) a facility in the communications
sector, as determined by the Secretary;
(ix) a facility in the chemical sector, as
determined by the Secretary;
(x) a school or other large building that
may serve as a temporary gathering space;
(xi) a utility station, such as a water
station, wastewater station, community water
system, or irrigation works;
(xii) a facility described in subparagraph
(A) that is owned or operated by, or provides
services to, an Indian Tribe (as defined in
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
(xiii) a Federal facility, including a
military base or installation; and
(xiv) any other facility described in
subparagraph (A), as determined by the
Secretary.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
(b) Critical Infrastructure and Microgrid Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program--
(A) to improve the energy resilience and power
needs of critical facilities through the development
and use of microgrids, renewable energy, energy
efficiency, reduced electricity demand, and on-site
storage;
(B) to improve the energy efficiency of critical
facilities by decreasing the size and cost of
generators;
(C) to provide technical assistance and facilitate
the distribution and sharing of information to develop
more resilient electricity systems (including bulk
systems and localized systems); and
(D) to promulgate consumer-facing information and
resources to inform the public on best practices and
resources related to increasing resilience of
electricity systems and reducing the impacts of extreme
weather events on electricity systems.
(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the program established
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure, with respect
to critical facilities--
(A) provision of on-site back-up power with
renewable resources, low-carbon liquid fuels, and on-
site energy storage technologies; and
(B) installation, at the transmission and
distribution level, of interoperable technologies,
advanced power flow control, dynamic line rating,
topology optimization, and communications systems.
(3) Interested party input.--In establishing the program
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall seek the input of
State energy regulators, electric utilities (as defined in
section 3 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796)), regional
transmission organizations and independent system operators,
electric utility customers and ratepayer organizations, local
governments, community choice aggregators or regional energy
collaboratives, and other interested parties.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary $100,000,000 to carry out this section, to remain
available until expended.
(2) Administrative costs.--Of the amount used to carry out
this section, not more than 10 percent shall be used for
salaries and expenses, administrative management, and oversight
of the program established under subsection (b)(1).
SEC. 202. RETROFITS FOR FIRE-RESILIENT COMMUNITIES.
(a) Definition of Weatherization Materials.--Section 412(9) of the
Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6862(9)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (J) as subparagraph (K);
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following:
``(J) materials that are resistant to high heat and
fire; and''.
(b) Weatherization Program.--
(1) In general.--Section 413(b)(6) of the Energy
Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6863(b)(6)) is
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) owners of such dwelling units shall use fire-
and drought-resistant building materials, including
mass timber, and incorporate wildfire and drought
prevention and mitigation planning, as directed by the
State.''.
(2) Limitations.--Section 415(c) of the Energy Conservation
and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6865(c)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
through (E) as clauses (i) through (v),
respectively, and indenting appropriately;
(ii) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as
so redesignated), in the second sentence, by
striking ``Labor'' and all that follows through
``to--'' and inserting the following:
``(B) Labor and weatherization materials.--Labor,
weatherization materials, and related matter described
in subparagraph (A) includes--'';
(iii) by striking ``(c)(1) Except'' and
inserting the following:
``(c) Financial Assistance.--
``(1) Average cost.--
``(A) In general.--Except'';
(iv) in subparagraph (A) (as so
designated)--
(I) by striking ``exceed an average
of $6,500'' and inserting the
following: ``exceed--
``(i) an average of $13,000 (adjusted
annually for inflation)'';
(II) in clause (i) (as so
designated), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(III) by adding at the end the
following:
``(ii) another average amount that is
greater than the amount described in clause
(i), if the Secretary determines it necessary
to waive or adjust the average amount
established under that clause.''; and
(v) in subparagraph (B) (as so
designated)--
(I) in clause (iv) (as so
redesignated), by striking ``, and''
and inserting ``; and''; and
(II) in clause (v) (as so
redesignated), by adding a period at
the end; and
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``$3,000'' and
inserting ``$6,000 (adjusted annually for inflation)''.
SEC. 203. WILDFIRE DETECTION, MONITORING, AND ANALYSIS EQUIPMENT.
(a) In General.--Title VI of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of
2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 607. WILDFIRE DETECTION, MONITORING, AND ANALYSIS EQUIPMENT.
``To the extent practicable, the Secretary of Agriculture and the
Secretary of the Interior shall--
``(1) expedite the placement of wildfire detection
equipment, such as sensors, cameras, and other relevant
equipment, in areas at risk of wildfire;
``(2) expand the use of satellite and remote sensing data
and mobile technologies to assist wildfire response,
management, and firefighter safety through improved situational
awareness;
``(3) expedite any permitting required by the Secretary of
Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior for the
installation, maintenance, or removal of wildfire detection
equipment;
``(4) review permitting described in paragraph (3) and
procurement requirements for wildfire detection equipment
within the context of modern and innovative technology;
``(5) pursuant to the OPEN Government Data Act (title II of
Public Law 115-435; 132 Stat. 5534), the amendments made by
that Act, and any guidance issued by the Director of the Office
of Management and Budget under that Act or those amendments,
support the disclosure to the public of nonconfidential data
assets the disclosure of which does not pose security risks to
the public so that wildland fire data is discoverable,
understandable, and actionable; and
``(6) utilize new and existing technologies to analyze
performance measurements and suppression effectiveness of
wildland fire incidents.''.
(b) Technical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Healthy
Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; Public Law 108-
148) is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title VI
the following:
``Sec. 607. Wildfire detection, monitoring, and analysis equipment.''.
TITLE III--RESEARCH, TRAINING, AND CAPACITY BUILDING
SEC. 301. WESTERN PRESCRIBED FIRE CENTERS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of
the Interior (referred to in this section as the ``Secretaries'') shall
establish 1 or more centers to train individuals in prescribed fire
methods and other methods relevant to the mitigation of wildfire risk
(referred to in this section as a ``center'').
(b) Host Institutions.--The 1 or more centers shall be--
(1) located at 1 or more institutions of higher education;
or
(2) developed in collaboration with 1 or more institutions
of higher education.
(c) Goals.--The 1 or more centers shall advance the following
goals:
(1) Training individuals and conducting research on
prescribed fire methods and other restoration methods relevant
to the mitigation of wildfire risk.
(2) Developing and advancing interdisciplinary science
relating to wildfire, including social science and human
dimensions of wildfire, in consultation with stakeholders who--
(A) need that science;
(B) will benefit from the outcomes of that science;
and
(C) will coordinate with 1 or more other centers in
developing and advancing that science.
(3) Conducting ongoing and forward-looking needs
assessments among stakeholders, including Federal and State
agencies and Indian Tribes, to determine common need
requirements and emerging challenges to reduce wildfire risk
and adapt communities to increased risk from wildfire,
including the following hazard-related focus areas:
(A) Increasing disaster resilience.
(B) Mitigation and management methods.
(C) Air quality.
(D) Firestorm weather forecasting and burn-area
debris flow forecasting, including empirical and
modeling research.
(4) Collaborating with Federal wildfire scientists at the
Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and other
related agencies.
(5) Identifying, through a detailed engagement process
targeting defined end-users, the requirements and delivery
mechanisms for products and services that are practical and
will have an impact on mitigating wildfire risk.
(6) Promoting technology transfer with pathways for
dissemination, implementation, and application of research
results on the ground, using and enhancing previous research.
(7) Ensuring the connectivity and interoperability of
distributed services to maximize synergies and benefits across
services.
(8) Developing open digital infrastructure to make research
data, science, and models open for all sectors to use.
(9) Understanding the effectiveness of historical and
current wildfire management and suppression strategies,
including on wildfires that start in wilderness areas,
wilderness study areas, or inventoried roadless areas.
(d) Location.--
(1) In general.--The 1 or more centers shall be located in
any State the entirety of which is located west of the 100th
meridian.
(2) Consultation.--The Secretaries shall consult with the
Joint Fire Science Program to solicit and evaluate proposals
for the location of the 1 or more centers.
(3) Selection.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, based on the consultation under
paragraph (2), the Secretaries shall select a location for the
1 or more centers.
SEC. 302. INNOVATIVE FOREST WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Career in forestry and fire management.--The term
``career in forestry and fire management'' means a career in a
field relating to forests and the restoration to the natural
fire regimes of forests, including--
(A) in timber operations;
(B) as a registered professional forester;
(C) in vegetation treatment, including as a member
of a hand crew, a machine operator, and in conducting
prescribed fires as part of a fire restoration
workforce that is capable of conducting large landscape
restorative and maintenance prescribed fires;
(D) in ecological restoration, including
restoration of watersheds;
(E) in wildland firefighting; and
(F) in community fire resilience, including
workforce development projects.
(2) Forestry and fire management.--The term ``forestry and
fire management'' includes the areas of fields relating to
forests described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of paragraph
(1).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(b) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary shall establish a competitive
grant program--
(1) to assist in the development and utilization of
innovative activities relating to workforce development in
forestry and fire management and opportunities for careers in
forestry and fire management; and
(2) to expand public awareness about forestry and fire
management and connect individuals to careers in forestry and
fire management.
(c) Selection of Grant Recipients.--In awarding grants under
subsection (b), the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, select
nonprofit professional or service organizations, labor organizations,
State agencies, community colleges, institutions of higher education,
or other training and educational institutions--
(1) that have qualifications and experience--
(A) in the development of training programs and
curricula relevant to the workforce needs of forestry
and fire management;
(B) working in cooperation with forestry and fire
management; or
(C) developing public education materials
appropriate for communicating with groups of various
ages and educational backgrounds; and
(2) that will address the human resources and workforce
needs of forestry and fire management.
(d) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under subsection (b) may be used
for activities such as--
(1) targeted internships, apprenticeships, pre-
apprenticeships, and post-secondary bridge programs for skilled
forestry and fire management trades that provide--
(A) on-the-job training;
(B) skills development;
(C) test preparation for skilled trade
apprenticeships;
(D) advance training in forestry and fire
management relating to jobs as forest restorationists,
members of hand crews, wildland firefighters, machine
operators, licensed timber operators, registered
professional foresters, ecologists, biologists, or
workers in construction in support of resilient
infrastructure, including residential buildings; or
(E) other support services to facilitate post-
secondary success;
(2) education programs designed for elementary, secondary,
and higher education students that--
(A) inform people about the role of forestry,
vegetation management, and ecological restoration in
the communities of those people;
(B) increase the awareness of opportunities for
careers in forestry and fire management and exposure of
students to those careers through various work-based
learning opportunities inside and outside the
classroom; and
(C) connect students to pathways to careers in
forestry and fire management;
(3) the development of a model curriculum and related
vocational programs to be adopted by community colleges, which,
to the extent practicable and feasible, shall--
(A) provide professional training in implementing
prescribed fire projects, including the knowledge and
skills necessary to plan and implement broad-scale
surface and ladder fuel treatments within the wildland-
urban interface, wildlands, and urbanized areas, as
appropriate;
(B) include a focus on the ecological concerns,
economics, and practices necessary to improve community
safety and forest resilience; and
(C) train students in--
(i) the retrofitting of houses, including
the use of fire-resistant materials and the
maintenance of defensible space;
(ii) urban forestry; and
(iii) policies or guidance relating to the
management of vegetation near utility
infrastructure and relevant portions of
electric utility wildfire mitigation plans;
(4) regional industry and workforce development
collaborations, including the coordination of candidate
development, particularly in areas of high unemployment;
(5) integrated learning laboratories in secondary
educational institutions that provide students with--
(A) hands-on, contextualized learning
opportunities;
(B) dual enrollment credit for post-secondary
education and training programs; and
(C) direct connection to industry or government
employers; and
(6) leadership development, occupational training,
mentoring, or cross-training programs that ensure that workers
are prepared for high-level supervisory or management-level
positions.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section such sums as
are necessary.
SEC. 303. NATIONAL COMMUNITY CAPACITY AND LAND STEWARDSHIP GRANT
PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Community capacity.--The term ``community capacity''
means the ability of an eligible entity to carry out or assist
in a land stewardship activity.
(2) Disadvantaged community.--The term ``disadvantaged
community'' means--
(A) a low-income community (as defined in section
45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986); and
(B) a community that includes a significant
population that has been systematically denied a full
opportunity to participate in aspects of economic,
social, and civic life based on a particular
characteristic, such as Black, Latino, Indigenous, and
Native American persons, Asian Americans, Pacific
Islanders, and other persons of color.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means
any of the following entities that is located in or represents
a disadvantaged community:
(A) An organization described in section 501(c) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from
taxation under section 501(a) of that Code.
(B) A collaborative group fiscally sponsored by an
organization described in subparagraph (A).
(C) A unit of local government.
(D) An Indian Tribe.
(E) A special district government, as defined by
the Director of the Bureau of the Census.
(4) Ecological integrity.--The term ``ecological
integrity'' has the meaning given the term in section 219.19 of
title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date
of enactment of this Act).
(5) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(6) Land stewardship activity.--The term ``land stewardship
activity'' means any of the following activities, as applied to
a qualifying project:
(A) Planning.
(B) Collaboration and building community support.
(C) Implementation on land other than National
Forest System land.
(D) Monitoring, including multiparty monitoring,
and adaptive management.
(7) Qualifying project.--The term ``qualifying project''
means any of the following activities that takes place at least
in substantial part on National Forest System land or national
grasslands:
(A) Restoration of the ecological integrity of a
forest, meadow, grassland, prairie, or other habitat.
(B) Tribal management for aligned cultural and
ecological values.
(C) Enhancing community wildfire resilience in the
wildland-urban interface.
(D) Increasing equitable access to environmental
education and volunteerism opportunities.
(8) Restoration.--The term ``restoration'' has the meaning
given the term in section 219.19 of title 36, Code of Federal
Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this
Act).
(9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through--
(A) the regional offices of the State and Private
Forestry Deputy Area of the Forest Service; and
(B) as appropriate, regional offices of other
Deputy Areas of the Forest Service.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to support increasing
community capacity, partnerships, and collaborations within and
involving disadvantaged communities for land stewardship activities and
restoration of ecological integrity on--
(1) National Forest System land;
(2) national grasslands; and
(3) adjacent private, State, and trust land associated with
the health and resilience of land described in paragraphs (1)
and (2).
(c) Administration.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may issue grants to eligible
entities for increasing community capacity for land stewardship
activities and related activities based on the criteria
described in subsection (d).
(2) Federal cost-share.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may fund up to 100
percent of the cost of land stewardship activities and
related activities carried out using a grant issued
under paragraph (1).
(B) Matching eligibility.--A grant issued under
this section may be considered a non-Federal matching
contribution from the eligible entity that received the
grant towards other sources of Federal funding.
(3) Duration.--The Secretary may issue a grant under
paragraph (1) for a period of 1 or more years.
(4) Maximum grant amount.--The amount of a grant issued
under paragraph (1) shall be not more than $50,000 per year.
(5) Applicable laws.--The Secretary shall administer grants
under paragraph (1) in accordance with all applicable Federal
and State laws.
(d) Criteria for Awarding Grants.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary
shall award grants to eligible entities under subsection (c)(1)
on a competitive basis in accordance with the following
criteria:
(A) The extent to which the proposed land
stewardship activities benefit units of the National
Forest System and national grasslands over the short
and long term.
(B) The extent to which valuable ecological,
economic, and social benefits to disadvantaged
communities, including job creation and business
development or retention, are likely to result from the
scope of the land stewardship activities.
(C) The extent to which the grant would benefit
disadvantaged communities that have historically
received less investment in collaborative capacity.
(D) The extent to which the proposal brings
together diverse interests through planning,
collaboration, implementation, or monitoring of land
stewardship activities to benefit units of the National
Forest System or national grasslands.
(E) The extent to which the grant funds appear to
be critical for the success of the eligible entity and
the identified land stewardship activities.
(F) The extent to which the budget for the land
stewardship activities is reasonable given the
anticipated outcomes.
(2) Set-aside for indian tribes.--The Secretary shall
allocate not less than 10 percent of the funding awarded under
this section to Indian Tribes or eligible entities representing
Indian Tribes.
(e) Annual Reviews.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish and maintain
an advisory panel composed of not more than 15 members to
provide feedback each year to each regional office of the State
and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the Forest Service on the
extent to which the implementation of this section by the
regional office is fulfilling the purpose described in
subsection (b).
(2) Inclusions.--The advisory panel established under
paragraph (1) shall include representation from a diversity of
public land stakeholders from across interest groups,
including--
(A) not fewer than 8 members representing the
interests of a diversity of disadvantaged communities;
and
(B) not fewer than 2 members representing not fewer
than 2 Indian Tribes.
(3) Exemption.--The advisory panel established under
paragraph (1) shall be exempt from the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
(f) Report Evaluating Program Implementation.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate a report evaluating the
implementation of this section, including--
(A) a list of the eligible entities and land
stewardship activities selected for funding under this
section and the accomplishments of those activities;
and
(B) an evaluation of the extent to which the
implementation of this section is fulfilling the
purpose described in subsection (b).
(2) Consultation; contracting.--In preparing the report
under paragraph (1), the Secretary--
(A) shall consult with the advisory panel
established under subsection (e)(1); and
(B) may contract with a third party to complete an
evaluation of the implementation of this section to
inform the report.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary to carry out this section $50,000,000 for the
period of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
(2) Distribution.--The Secretary shall distribute amounts
made available under paragraph (1) to the regional offices of
the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area and, as appropriate,
regional offices of other Deputy Areas, of the Forest Service
to administer the grants under this section.
(3) Administrative costs.--Not more than 10 percent of any
amounts made available to carry out this section may be used
for administrative management and program oversight.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S174-175)
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line