WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 10917 · 119th Congress

Wildfire Emergency Act of 2026

Introduced
IntroducedOct 26, 2026
Passed HouseNot yet
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Introduced. Latest step, Oct 26, 2026: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce. It would change 5 sections of existing law and would add 8 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 10917 would change 5 sections of existing law, and would create 8 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as introduced in the House (Oct 26, 2026).

42 U.S.C. 6862 Definitions

  • (9) The term "weatherization materials" means— added to · Sec. 202(a) · see the words

42 U.S.C. 6863 Weatherization program

  • (b) Consultation by Secretary with other Federal departments and agencies on development and publication in Federal Register of proposed regulations; required regulatory provisions; standards and procedures; rental units added to · Sec. 202(b) · see the words

42 U.S.C. 6865 Limitations on financial assistance

  • (c) Limitations on expenditures; exceptions; annual adjustments added to · Sec. 202(b) · see the words

16 U.S.C. 6591 Forest stands inventory and monitoring program to improve detection of and response to environmental threats

16 U.S.C. 6501 Purposes

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 101 Definitions
  • Sec. 102 Purpose
  • Sec. 103 Conservation finance agreements
  • Sec. 104 Report evaluating implementation
  • Sec. 201 Critical infrastructure and microgrid program
  • Sec. 301 Western prescribed fire centers
  • Sec. 302 Innovative forest workforce development program
  • Sec. 303 National community capacity and land stewardship grant program
What the words would change: every change, in place (17)

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.

  1. 42 U.S.C. 6862(9)(I)changedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(a)

    (I) wood-heating appliances; and

    The bill says: in subparagraph (I), by striking "and" at the end;

  2. 42 U.S.C. 6862(9)renumberedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(a)

    The bill says: by redesignating subparagraph (J) as subparagraph (K); and

  3. 42 U.S.C. 6862(9)added (J)by H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(a)

    (J) materials that are resistant to high heat and fire; and

    The bill says: by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following:

  4. 42 U.S.C. 6863(b)(6)(C)changedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    (C) the enforcement of subparagraph (B) is provided through procedures established by the State by which tenants may file complaints and owners, in response to such complaints, shall demonstrate that the rent increase concerned is related to matters other than the weatherization work performed; and

    The bill says: in subparagraph (C), by striking "and" at the end;

  5. 42 U.S.C. 6863(b)(6)(D)changedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    (D) no undue or excessive enhancement will occur to the value of such dwelling units.; and

    The bill says: in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and

  6. 42 U.S.C. 6863(b)(6)added (E)by H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    (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.

    The bill says: by adding at the end the following:

  7. 42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(1)renumberedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    The bill says: by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (E) as clauses (i) through (v), respectively, and indenting appropriately;

  8. 42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(1)changedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), the expenditure of financial assistance provided under this part for labor, weatherization materials, and related matters shall not exceed an average of $6,500 per dwelling unit weatherized in that State. Labor(B) Labor and weatherization materials.— Labor, weatherization materials, and related matter described in subparagraph (A) includes—, weatherization materials, and related matter includes, but is not limited to— (A) the appropriate portion of the cost of tools and equipment used to install weatherization materials for a dwelling unit; (B) the cost of transporting…

    The bill says: 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:

  9. 42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(1)changedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    (c) Financial assistance.—(1) Average cost.—(A) In general.— Except

    The bill says: by striking "(c)(1) Except" and inserting the following:

  10. 42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(1)(A)changedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    exceed—(i) an average of $13,000 (adjusted annually for inflation)

    The bill says: by striking "exceed an average of $6,500" and inserting the following:

  11. 42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(1)(A)(i)changedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    The bill says: in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; or"; and

  12. 42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(1)(A)added (ii)by H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    (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.

    The bill says: by adding at the end the following:

  13. 42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(1)(B)(iv)changedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    The bill says: in clause (iv) (as so redesignated), by striking ", and" and inserting "; and"; and

  14. 42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(1)(B)(v)changedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    The bill says: in clause (v) (as so redesignated), by adding a period at the end; and

  15. 42 U.S.C. 6865(c)(4)changedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 202(b)

    (4) The expenditure of financial assistance provided under this part for labor, weatherization materials, and related matters for a renewable energy system shall not exceed an average of $3,000$6,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) per dwelling unit.

    The bill says: in paragraph (4), by striking "$3,000" and inserting "$6,000 (adjusted annually for inflation)".

  16. 16 U.S.C. 6591added 607by H.R. 10917 Sec. 203(a)

    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.

    The bill says: 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:

  17. 16 U.S.C. 6501addedby H.R. 10917 Sec. 203(b)

    The bill says: 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:

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

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The Congressional Research Service hasn't published a summary of this bill yet. They usually follow within weeks of introduction.

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

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  1. Oct 26, 2026Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce.House floor actions
  2. Oct 26, 2026Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce.House floor actions
  3. Oct 26, 2026Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce.House floor actions
  4. Oct 26, 2026Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce.House floor actions
  5. Oct 26, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  6. Oct 26, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

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