Bill sets up federal program to replant disaster-damaged public lands
Passed one chamberH.R. 528Latest action
Sponsor: Brittany Pettersen · Representative · CO
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The bill creates a federal program to identify and restore public and tribal lands damaged by disasters, ending after seven years.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to create a program identifying public and certain tribal lands damaged by disasters like wildfires, storms, or insect infestations that need help regrowing trees and plants. Agencies would work together yearly to list priority restoration projects, carried out via grants, contracts, or agreements, and to ensure enough tree seeds and seedlings are available. The program ends seven years after enactment unless Congress renews it.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects federal land management agencies (National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs), Indian Tribes with forest or rangeland, and nearby communities. Nurseries, seed suppliers, universities, and local governments involved in restoration work are also affected.
Why does it matter?
The program requires ongoing outreach and coordination with tribes, states, local governments, and other groups, and mandates annual reporting to Congress on progress, funding, and supply gaps starting two years after enactment.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Based on the “Referred in Senate” text of Mar 17, 2026.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJan 16, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Mar 17, 2026
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.