Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025
Passed HouseAgriculture and Food
IntroducedFeb 5, 2025
Passed HouseApr 14, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet
Where it stands
Passed House. Latest step, Apr 15, 2026: Received in the Senate. The House passed it 395–10.All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 2 sections of existing law.
How this bill changes the law
Sourced
H.R. 1011 would change 2 sections of existing law. Read from the bill text as passed by the House (Apr 14, 2026).
adds
changes words
removes or repeals
renumbers
Dashed lines: proposed, not law.
H.R. 1011Bill
Sec. 2(1)Emergency conservation program2 changes
Sec. 2(2)Emergency conservation program1 change
Sec. 3(1)Improving the emergency forest restoration program1 change
Sec. 3(2)Improving the emergency forest restoration program1 change
What the words would change: every change, in place (5)
Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.
16 U.S.C. 2201(b)a new sectionchangedby H.R. 1011 Sec. 2(1)
(b) Repair or replacement of fencing and other emergency conservation measures. (1) In general. With respect to a payment to an agricultural producer under subsection (a) for the repair or replacement of fencing, the Secretary shall give the agricultural producer the option of receiving not more than 25 percent of…
The bill says: in the subsection heading, by inserting "and other emergency conservation measures" after "fencing"; and
16 U.S.C. 2201(b)a new sectionrewrittenby H.R. 1011 Sec. 2(1)
(1) In general.— With respect to a payment to an agricultural producer under subsection (a) for the repair or replacement of fencing, or for other emergency measures to rehabilitate farmland or to repair or replace a farmland or conservation structure, the Secretary shall give the agricultural producer the option of receiving—(A) before carrying out such replacement or rehabilitation, not more than 75 percent of the payment for such replacement or rehabilitation, which shall be based on the fair market value of the replacement or rehabilitation, as determined by the Secretary; and(B) before carrying out such repair, not more than 50 percent of the payment for such repair, which shall be based on the fair market value of the repair, as determined by the Secretary.
The bill says: by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
16 U.S.C. 2201a new sectionadded (c)by H.R. 1011 Sec. 2(2)
(c) Wildfires.— A wildfire that causes damage with respect to which a payment may be made under subsection (a) includes any wildfire that is not caused naturally, including a wildfire that is caused by the Federal Government, if the damage is caused by the spread of the fire due to natural causes.
The bill says: by adding at the end the following:
16 U.S.C. 2206a new sectionadded (e)by H.R. 1011 Sec. 3(2)
(e) Advance payments.—(1) In general.— The Secretary shall give an owner of nonindustrial private forest land the option of receiving, before the owner carries out emergency measures under this section, not more than 75 percent of the cost of the emergency measures, as determined by the Secretary based on the fair market value of the cost of the emergency measures using the estimated cost of the applicable practice published in the Field Office Technical Guide of each State by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.(2) Return of funds.— If the funds provided under paragraph (1) are not expended by the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date on which the owner of nonindustrial private forest land receives those funds, the funds shall be returned within a reasonable timeframe, as determined by the Secretary.
The bill says: by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.
What it does
Sourced
Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025
This bill revises the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to expand eligibility for payments to agricultural producers and owners of forest land impacted by natural disasters. The bill also provides additional options to receive an advance on cost-sharing payments before carrying out emergency measures.
The bill expands advance ECP payments to include payments for the rehabilitation of farmland or to repair or replace a farmland or conservation structure. Producers may receive an advance on cost-sharing payments for 75% of the cost of the replacement or rehabilitation and 50% of the cost of the repair. Current law limits advanced cost-sharing payments to 25% of the cost of the repair or replacement of fencing.
The bill also expands eligibility for payments under ECP to include emergency measures to address damages caused by a wildfire that is not caused naturally (including a wildfire that is caused by the federal government), if the damage is caused by the spread of the wildfire due to natural causes.
Under EFRP, the bill allows owners of nonindustrial private forest land impacted by a natural disaster to receive an advance on cost-sharing payments for up to 75% of the cost of the emergency measures. Recipients must use the funds within 180 days after the funds are disbursed. Currently, advance payments are not available under the program.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Feb 5, 2025).
Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.
What has happened
Sourced
Apr 14, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 10 (Roll no. 109). (text: CR H2844) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress