WASHINGTON (News release) -- The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry has approved the Fix Our Forests Act (S. 1462) by an 18-5 vote. This bipartisan legislation aims to reduce the frequency and severity of catastrophic wildfires, expedite forest management projects, and address legal and regulatory barriers to timely wildfire response. The bill now advances to the full Senate for consideration, following its passage in the House of Representatives in January by a 279-141 margin, according to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

The Fix Our Forests Act was introduced by Senators John Curtis (R-UT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT). It includes measures to designate fireshed management areas, increase the use of prescribed burns, and expand Good Neighbor Authority agreements to Special Districts. It also doubles the maximum term for stewardship contracting from 10 to 20 years and raises the timber sale threshold requiring advertisement from $10,000 to $55,000.

Testimony from the U.S. Forest Service supports key provisions in the bill, including statutory categorical exclusions for vegetation management on up to 10,000 acres and prescribed fire operations across federal and non-federal lands. The agency confirmed that litigation, particularly in western states like Montana and California, has significantly delayed project timelines and increased costs, by as much as $125,000 per project, while reducing the pace of forest treatment.

The National Association of Home Builders also endorsed the legislation, citing its potential to increase the domestic timber supply and reduce lumber costs, which currently account for approximately 15% of single-family home construction expenses.

The House version of the legislation was introduced by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Representative Scott Peters (D-CA). Both versions emphasize improving the supply chain for federal timber products, expanding reforestation capacity, and reducing barriers to local and tribal participation in forest management projects.

The Forest Service testified that codifying expedited authorities and judicial reforms would help align management tools with the scale of current wildfire threats. Acting Associate Chief Chris French affirmed that the agency supports most provisions of the bill but seeks further technical adjustments, particularly regarding prescribed fire liability and funding stability as emergency wildfire appropriations decline.

The legislation's next step is full Senate consideration, where supporters hope for swift approval to implement its proposed reforms ahead of the 2026 wildfire season.