Bill would let feds absorb full wildfire recovery costs when Forest Service starts the fire

What does this do?

HR 5963 would allow the Secretary of Agriculture to waive the matching payment requirement for wildfire recovery programs when a fire is officially determined to have resulted from Forest Service land management activities on National Forest land. That waiver is discretionary, not automatic. The bill was introduced in November 2025 and is under review by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources committees.

Who does it affect?

States, Native American tribes, local governments, and private individuals whose land, water, or property was damaged by a Forest Service-caused wildfire are the parties directly affected. Under current rules, those parties must contribute a share of recovery costs even when the federal government started the fire.

Why does it matter?

Without this bill, affected states, tribes, local governments, and individuals remain responsible for a portion of recovery costs for fires the federal government caused. With this bill, the Secretary of Agriculture would have discretion to remove that financial obligation, though no waiver is guaranteed.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Affected parties now owe a cost-share
• Federal government could cover 100%
• Waiver is at Secretary's discretion