WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 1462 · 119th Congress

Fix Our Forests Act

Reported by committeePublic Lands and Natural Resources
IntroducedApr 10, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
Passed HouseNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Reported by committee. Latest step, Oct 27, 2025: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 212. It would change 21 sections of existing law and would add 38 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

S. 1462 would change 21 sections of existing law, and would create 38 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as reported by a Senate committee (Oct 27, 2025).

Where in the law, by title of the U.S. Code:

  1. Title 16: Conservation16 sections
  2. Earlier laws outside the Code2 sections
  3. Title 43: Public Lands2 sections
  4. Title 25: Indians1 section
See the map: the first 14 sections it would change, line by line

Would also change: 16 U.S.C. 1604, 43 U.S.C. 1712, Public Law 108-278, 16 U.S.C. 6592, 16 U.S.C. 6511, 43 U.S.C. 1772, 16 U.S.C. 1601.

16 U.S.C. 6502 Definitions

16 U.S.C. 6591b Administrative review

16 U.S.C. 6591d Wildfire resilience projects

16 U.S.C. 6591e Categorical exclusion for greater sage-grouse and mule deer habitat

  • (a) Definitions removed · Sec. 106(b) · see the words
  • (c) Implementation of covered vegetative management activities within the range of greater sage-grouse and mule deer changed · Sec. 106(b) · see the words
  • (g) Limitations changed · Sec. 106(b) · see the words

16 U.S.C. 6592b Establishment of fuel breaks in forests and other wildland vegetation

  • (d) Acreage and location limitations changed · Sec. 106(b) · see the words

16 U.S.C. 2113a Good neighbor authority

Public Law 118-42 An earlier law, changed directly

16 U.S.C. 6591c Stewardship end result contracting projects

16 U.S.C. 472a Timber sales on National Forest System lands

  • (d) Advertisement of sales; exceptions changed · Sec. 114 · see the words

16 U.S.C. 6592d Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership program

16 U.S.C. 7303 Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program

  • (b) Eligibility criteria changed · Sec. 116(1) · see the words
  • (c) Nomination process added to · Sec. 116(2) · see the words
  • (d) Selection process removed · Sec. 116(3) · see the words
  • (e) Advisory panel changed · Sec. 116(4) · see the words
  • (f) Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund changed · Sec. 116(5) · see the words

16 U.S.C. 6542 Water Source Protection Program

  • (a) Definitions added to · Sec. 118(1) · see the words
  • (b) Establishment added to · Sec. 118(2) · see the words
  • (c) Water source investment partnerships added to · Sec. 118(3) · see the words
  • (d) Water source management plan added to · Sec. 118(4) · see the words
  • (e) Forest management activities changed · Sec. 118(5) · see the words
  • (g) Funds and services added to · Sec. 118(6) · see the words

16 U.S.C. 6543 Watershed Condition Framework

  • (a) In general added to · Sec. 119(1), Sec. 119(2), Sec. 119(3), Sec. 119(4) · see the words

25 U.S.C. 3115b Tribal forest management demonstration project

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Definitions
  • Sec. 101 Designation of fireshed management areas
  • Sec. 102 Wildfire Intelligence Center
  • Sec. 103 Fireshed Registry
  • Sec. 104 Shared stewardship
  • Sec. 105 Fireshed assessments
  • Sec. 107 Sunset
  • Sec. 113 Fireshed management project strike teams
  • Sec. 117 Utilizing grazing for wildfire risk reduction
  • Sec. 121 Commonsense litigation reform
  • Sec. 131 Prescribed fire eligible activities, policies, and practices
  • Sec. 132 Human resources
  • Sec. 133 Liability of prescribed fire managers
  • Sec. 134 Environmental review
  • Sec. 136 Facilitating responsible use of prescribed fire
  • Sec. 201 Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program
  • Sec. 202 Community Wildfire Defense Research Program
  • Sec. 203 Community wildfire defense accountability
  • Sec. 213 Categorical exclusion for high-priority hazard trees
  • Sec. 214 Seeds of Success strategy
  • Sec. 216 Reforestation, nurseries, and genetic resources support
  • Sec. 217 Fire department repayment
  • Sec. 301 Biochar innovations and opportunities for conservation, health, and advancements in research
  • Sec. 302 Accurate hazardous fuels reduction reports
  • Sec. 303 Public-private wildfire technology deployment and demonstration partnership
  • Sec. 304 GAO study on Forest Service policies
  • Sec. 305 Keeping forest plans current and monitored
  • Sec. 306 Container Aerial Firefighting System
  • Sec. 307 Study on pine beetle infestation
  • Sec. 311 White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition
  • Sec. 312 Forest Service pilot program
  • Sec. 313 Department of the Interior white oak review and restoration
  • Sec. 314 White oak regeneration and upland oak habitat
  • Sec. 315 Tree nursery shortages
  • Sec. 316 White oak research
  • Sec. 317 USDA formal initiative
  • Sec. 318 Use of authorities
  • Sec. 401 Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance Program
What the words would change: every change, in place (112)

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. 16 U.S.C. 6502(2)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    The bill says: in paragraph (2), by striking "450b" and inserting "5304"; and

  2. 16 U.S.C. 6502added (3)by S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    (3) Local government.— The term local government means—(A) a county;(B) a municipality; and(C) a special district.(4) Special district.— The term special district means a political subdivision of a State that—(A) has significant budgetary autonomy or control;(B) was established by, or pursuant to, the laws of the State for the purpose of performing a limited and specific governmental or proprietary function primarily relating to forest or rangeland management; and(C) is distinct from any other unit of local government within the State.

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

  3. 16 U.S.C. 6591b(c)(1)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    (1) Project size. A project under this section may not exceed 3000 acres10,000 acres.

    The bill says: in paragraph (1), by striking "3000 acres" and inserting "10,000 acres"; and

  4. 16 U.S.C. 6591b(c)(2)(B)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    (B) Condition Classes 2 or 3 in Fire Regime Groups I, II, or IIIFire Regime I, Fire Regime II, Fire Regime III, or Fire Regime IV, outside the wildland-urban interface.

    The bill says: in paragraph (2)(B), by striking "Fire Regime Groups I, II, or III" and inserting "Fire Regime I, Fire Regime II, Fire Regime III, or Fire Regime IV".

  5. 16 U.S.C. 6591d(c)(1)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    (1) Project size. A project under this section may not exceed 3000 acres10,000 acres.

    The bill says: in paragraph (1), by striking "3000 acres" and inserting "10,000 acres"; and

  6. 16 U.S.C. 6591d(c)(4)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    The bill says: in paragraph (4), by striking "code of Federal regulations (or successor regulations)" and inserting "Code of Federal regulations (or a successor regulation)".

  7. 16 U.S.C. 6591e(a)(1)(A)removedby S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    The bill says: by striking clause (ii);

  8. 16 U.S.C. 6591e(a)(1)(A)renumberedby S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    The bill says: by redesignating clauses (iii) through (vii) as clauses (ii) through (vi), respectively; and

  9. 16 U.S.C. 6591e(a)(1)(A)(iii)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    The bill says: in clause (iii) (as so redesignated), in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking "in a sagebrush steppe ecosystem";

  10. 16 U.S.C. 6591e(c)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    (c) Implementation of covered vegetative management activities within the range of greater sage-grouse and mule deer. If the categorical exclusion developed under subsection (b) is used to implement a covered vegetative management activity in an area within the range of both greater sage-grouse and mule deer, the covered vegetative management activity shall protect, restore, or improve habitat concurrently for both greater sage-grouse andfor greater sage-grouse or mule deer.

    The bill says: in subsection (c), by striking "concurrently for both greater sage-grouse and" and inserting "for greater sage-grouse or"; and

  11. 16 U.S.C. 6591e(g)(1)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    (1) Project size. A covered vegetation management activity that is covered by the categorical exclusion under subsection (b) may not exceed 4,500 acres7,500 acres.

    The bill says: in subsection (g)(1), by striking "4,500 acres" and inserting "7,500 acres".

  12. 16 U.S.C. 6592b(d)(1)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 106(b)

    (1) may not contain treatment units in excess of 3,000 acres10,000 acres;

    The bill says: Section 40806(d)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (16 U.S.C. 6592b(d)(1)) is amended by striking "3,000 acres" and inserting "10,000 acres".

  13. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)(1)(B)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    (B) by either the Secretary or a Governor or countythe Secretary, a Governor, an Indian tribe, a special district, or a county, as applicable, pursuant to a good neighbor agreement.

    The bill says: in paragraph (1)(B), by striking "either the Secretary or a Governor or county" and inserting "the Secretary, a Governor, an Indian tribe, a special district, or a county";

  14. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)(5)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    (5) Good neighbor agreement. The term "good neighbor agreement" means a cooperative agreement or contract (including a sole source contract) entered into between the Secretary and a Governor orGovernor, an Indian tribe, a special district, or a county, as applicable, to carry out authorized restoration services under this section.

    The bill says: in paragraph (5), by striking "Governor or" and inserting "Governor, an Indian tribe, a special district, or a";

  15. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)(6)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    (6) Governor. The term "Governor" means the Governor or any other appropriate executive official of an affected State or Indian tribe or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

    The bill says: in paragraph (6), by striking "or Indian tribe"; and

  16. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)added (11)by S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    (11) Special district.— The term special district means a political subdivision of a State that—(A) has significant budgetary autonomy or control;(B) was established by, or pursuant to, the laws of the State for the purpose of performing a limited and specific governmental or proprietary function primarily relating to forest or rangeland management; and(C) is distinct from any other unit of local government within the State.

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

  17. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(1)(A)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    The bill says: in paragraph (1)(A), by striking "or county" and inserting ", an Indian tribe, a special district, or a county";

  18. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(2)(C)(i)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    The bill says: in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting "special district," after "Indian Tribe," each place it appears;

  19. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(2)(C)(i)(I)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    The bill says: by striking "on"; and

  20. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(2)(C)(i)(I)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    The bill says: by striking "; and" and inserting a semicolon;

  21. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(2)(C)(i)(II)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    The bill says: in the matter preceding item (aa), by striking "clause (i)" and inserting "subclause (I)"; and

  22. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    The bill says: in item (bb), by striking "the Good Neighbor Authority for Recreation Act." and inserting "section 351 of the EXPLORE Act (16 U.S.C. 8571);"; and

  23. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(2)(C)(i)added (III)by S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    (III) if there are funds remaining after carrying out subclause (II)—(aa) to carry out authorized restoration services under other good neighbor agreements; and(bb) for the administration of a good neighbor authority program by a Governor, Indian tribe, special district, or county.

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

  24. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(2)(C)(ii)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    The bill says: in clause (ii), by striking "2028" and inserting "2030";

  25. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(3)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    (3) Retention of NEPA responsibilities. Any decision required to be made under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to any authorized restoration services to be provided under this section on Federal land shall not be delegated to a Governor or county, an Indian tribe, a special district, or a county.

    The bill says: in paragraph (3), by striking "or county" and inserting ", an Indian tribe, a special district, or a county"; and

  26. 16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)removedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(a)

    The bill says: by striking paragraph (4).

  27. Public Law 118-42changedby S. 1462 Sec. 111(b)

    The bill says: Section 443 of division E of Public Law 118–42 (138 Stat. 297) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Agriculture Act of 2014" and inserting "Agricultural Act of 2014".

  28. 16 U.S.C. 6591c(b)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 112(1)

    The bill says: in subsection (b), by inserting ", including retaining and expanding existing forest products infrastructure" before the period at the end; and

  29. 16 U.S.C. 6591c(d)(3)(B)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 112(2)

    The bill says: in subsection (d)(3)(B), by striking "10 years" and inserting "20 years"; and

  30. 16 U.S.C. 6591c(h)added (4)by S. 1462 Sec. 112(3)

    (4) Special rule for long-term stewardship contracts.—(A) Definition of long-term contract.— In this paragraph, the term long-term contract means an agreement or contract under subsection (b) that—(i) has a term of longer than 5 years; and(ii) is entered into on or after the date of enactment of this paragraph.(B) Special rule.— A long-term contract entered into under subsection (b) by the Chief or the Director with an entity shall provide that, in the case of cancellation or termination of the long-term contract by the Chief or the Director, the Chief or the Director, as applicable, shall provide to the entity an amount equal to 10 percent of the long-term contract amount as cancellation or termination costs.

    The bill says: in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following:

  31. 16 U.S.C. 472a(d)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 114

    (d) Advertisement of sales; exceptions. The Secretary of Agriculture shall advertise all sales unless he determines that extraordinary conditions exist, as defined by regulation, or that the appraised value of the sale is less than $10,000$55,000. If, upon proper offering, no satisfactory bid is received for a sale, or the bidder fails to complete the purchase, the sale may be offered and sold without further advertisement.

    The bill says: Section 14(d) of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a(d)) is amended, in the first sentence, by striking "$10,000" and inserting "$55,000".

  32. 16 U.S.C. 6592d(a)(2)(B)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 115(1)

    (B) to protect water quality and supply; or

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

  33. 16 U.S.C. 6592d(a)(2)(C)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 115(1)

    The bill says: in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

  34. 16 U.S.C. 6592d(a)(2)added (D)by S. 1462 Sec. 115(1)

    (D) to recover from wildfire; or(E) to enhance soil, water, and related natural resources.

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

  35. 16 U.S.C. 6592d(d)(1)(A)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 115(2)

    (A) reduces wildfire risk and post-wildfire impacts in a municipal watershed or the wildland-urban interface;

    The bill says: in subparagraph (A), by inserting "and post-wildfire impacts" after "wildfire risk"; and

  36. 16 U.S.C. 6592d(d)(1)(F)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 115(2)

    The bill says: in subparagraph (F), by inserting ", as identified in the corresponding State forest action plan or similar priority plan (such as a State wildlife or water plan)" before the semicolon;

  37. 16 U.S.C. 6592d(g)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 115(3)

    (2) Additional reports.— For each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023, and not less frequently than once every 2 fiscal years thereafter, the Chiefs shall submit a report describing projects for which funding is provided under the Program, including the status and outcomes of those projects, to—(A) in the Senate—(i) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry;(ii) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; and(iii) the Committee on Appropriations; and(B) in the House of Representatives—(i) the Committee on Agriculture;(ii) the Committee on Natural Resources; and(iii) the Committee on Appropriations.

    The bill says: in subsection (g), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

  38. 16 U.S.C. 6592d(h)(1)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 115(4)

    (1) Authorization of appropriations. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the Program $90,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023through 2031.

    The bill says: in subsection (h)(1), by striking "and 2023" and inserting "through 2031".

  39. 16 U.S.C. 7303(b)(2)(B)(ii)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(1)

    The bill says: in paragraph (2)(B)(ii), by striking "500 note" and inserting "7125"; and

  40. 16 U.S.C. 7303(b)(3)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(1)

    (3) describe plans to—plans— (A) reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire, including through the use of fire for ecological restoration and maintenance and reestablishing natural fire regimes, where appropriate; (B) improve fish and wildlife habitat, including…

    The bill says: in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "plans to—" and inserting "plans—";

  41. 16 U.S.C. 7303(b)(3)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(1)

    The bill says: in each of subparagraphs (A) through (H), by inserting "to" after the subparagraph designation; and

  42. 16 U.S.C. 7303(b)(3)(D)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(1)

    The bill says: in subparagraph (D), by inserting "or pathogens" before the semicolon;

  43. 16 U.S.C. 7303(c)(3)(A)(i)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(2)

    (i) include a plan to use Federal funds allocated to the region to fund those costs of planning and carrying out ecological restoration treatments on National Forest System land, consistent with the strategy, that would not be covered by amounts transferred to the Secretary from the Fund; and

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

  44. 16 U.S.C. 7303(c)(3)(A)(ii)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(2)

    The bill says: in clause (ii), by adding "and" after the semicolon at the end; and

  45. 16 U.S.C. 7303(c)(3)(A)added (iii)by S. 1462 Sec. 116(2)

    (iii) include a Federal Government staffing plan for providing staff to support collaborative processes established under subsection (b)(2);

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

  46. 16 U.S.C. 7303(d)(2)(E)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(3)

    (E) whether the proposal would reduce the relative costs of carrying out ecological restoration treatments as a result of the use of woody biomass and small-diameter trees; and

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

  47. 16 U.S.C. 7303(d)(2)(F)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(3)

    The bill says: in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

  48. 16 U.S.C. 7303(d)(2)added (G)by S. 1462 Sec. 116(3)

    (G) proposals that seek to use innovative implementation mechanisms, including good neighbor agreements entered into under section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a);(H) proposals that seek to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire or increase ecological restoration activities—(i) within areas across land ownerships, including State, Tribal, and private land; and(ii) within the wildland-urban interface (as defined in section 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6511)); and(I) proposals that seek to enhance watershed health and drinking water sources.

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

  49. 16 U.S.C. 7303(d)(3)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(3)

    The bill says: by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:

  50. 16 U.S.C. 7303(d)(3)removedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(3)

    The bill says: by striking subparagraph (B); and

  51. 16 U.S.C. 7303(d)(3)renumberedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(3)

    The bill says: by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B);

  52. 16 U.S.C. 7303(e)(3)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(4)

    (3) Inclusion. The advisory panel shall include experts in ecological restoration, fire ecology, fire management, rural economic development, strategies for ecological adaptation to climate change, fish and wildlife ecology, conflict resolution or collaborative governance, and woody biomass and small-diameter tree utilization.

    The bill says: in subsection (e)(3), by inserting "conflict resolution or collaborative governance," before "and woody"; and

  53. 16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(4)(B)(ii)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(5)

    The bill says: in paragraph (4)(B)(ii), by striking "$4,000,000" and inserting "$8,000,000"; and

  54. 16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(6)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 116(5)

    (6) Authorization of appropriations. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 20232031, to remain available until expended.

    The bill says: in paragraph (6), by striking "2023" and inserting "2031".

  55. 16 U.S.C. 6542(a)renumberedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(1)

    The bill says: by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (7) as paragraphs (2) through (8), respectively;

  56. 16 U.S.C. 6542(a)added (1)by S. 1462 Sec. 118(1)

    (1) Adjacent land.— The term adjacent land means non-Federal land, including State, local, and private land, that is adjacent to, and within the same watershed as, National Forest System land on which a watershed protection and restoration project is carried out under this section.

    The bill says: by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the following:

  57. 16 U.S.C. 6542(a)(2)renumberedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(1)

    The bill says: by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and (H) as subparagraphs (K) and (L), respectively; and

  58. 16 U.S.C. 6542(a)(2)added (G)by S. 1462 Sec. 118(1)

    (G) an acequia association;(H) a local, regional, or other public entity that manages stormwater or wastewater resources or other related water infrastructure;(I) a land-grant mercedes; and(J) a local, regional, or other private entity that has water delivery authority;

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

  59. 16 U.S.C. 6542(b)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(2)

    The bill says: by inserting "and adjacent land" before the period at the end;

  60. 16 U.S.C. 6542(b)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(2)

    (b) Establishment. The Secretary(1) In general.— The Secretary shall establish and maintain a program, to be known as the "Water Source Protection Program", to carry out watershed protection and restoration projects on National Forest System land.

    The bill says: by striking "The Secretary" and inserting the following:

  61. 16 U.S.C. 6542(b)added (2)by S. 1462 Sec. 118(2)

    (2) Requirements.— A watershed protection and restoration project under the Program shall be designed—(A) to protect and restore watershed health, water supply and quality, a municipal or agricultural water supply system, and water-related infrastructure;(B) to protect and restore forest health from insect infestation and disease or wildfire; or(C) to advance any combination of the purposes described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).(3) Priorities.— In selecting watershed protection and restoration projects under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that would—(A) provide risk management benefits associated with drought, wildfire, post-wildfire conditions, extreme weather events, flooding, resilience to climate change, and watershed and fire resilience, including minimizing risks to watershed health, water supply and quality, and water-related infrastructure, including municipal and agricultural water supply systems;(B) support aquatic restoration and conservation efforts that complement existing or planned forest restoration or wildfire risk reduction efforts;(C) provide quantifiable benefits to water supply or quality and include the use of nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetland and riparian ecosystems;(D) include—(i) partners with demonstrated capacity to, and success in, designing and implementing ecological restoration projects, wildfire risk-reduction efforts, or post-wildfire restoration projects; or(ii) in the case of communities that have historically lacked access to adequate resources, partners with a strong likelihood of success in designing and implementing a watershed protection and restoration project; and(E) include—(i) a contribution of funds or in-kind support from non-Federal partners in an amount greater than the amount required under subsection (g)(2); or(ii) such other characteristics as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.(4) Conditions for projects on adjacent land.—(A) In general.— No project or activity may be carried out under this section on adjacent land, unless the owner of the adjacent land provides express support for, and is a willing and engaged partner in, carrying out that project or activity.(B) Effect.— Nothing in this section authorizes any change in—(i) the ownership of adjacent land on which a project or activity is carried out under this section; or(ii) the management of adjacent land on which a project or activity is carried out under this section, except during the carrying out of that project or activity.

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

  62. 16 U.S.C. 6542(c)(1)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(3)

    (1) In general. In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may enter into water source investment partnership agreements with end water users to protect and restore the condition of National Forest watersheds that provide water to the end water users.

    The bill says: in paragraph (1), by striking "agreements with" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following:

  63. 16 U.S.C. 6542(c)(2)(C)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(3)

    (C) a long-term funding matching commitment; or

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

  64. 16 U.S.C. 6542(c)(2)renumberedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(3)

    The bill says: by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and

  65. 16 U.S.C. 6542(c)(2)added (D)by S. 1462 Sec. 118(3)

    (D) in the case of an agreement with a State, a county, or an Indian tribe for a project carried out on National Forest System land, a good neighbor agreement entered into under section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a); or

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

  66. 16 U.S.C. 6542(c)added (3)by S. 1462 Sec. 118(3)

    (3) Cooperation with non-Federal partners.— The Secretary shall cooperate with non-Federal partners in carrying out assessments, planning, project design, and project implementation under this section.

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

  67. 16 U.S.C. 6542(d)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(4)

    (2) Requirements.— A water source management plan shall be—(A) designed to protect and restore ecological integrity (as defined in section 219.19 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this subparagraph));(B) based on the best available scientific information; and(C) conducted in a manner consistent with the forest plan applicable to the National Forest System land on which the watershed protection and restoration project is carried out.

    The bill says: by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

  68. 16 U.S.C. 6542(d)added (4)by S. 1462 Sec. 118(4)

    (4) Reducing redundancy.— An existing watershed plan, such as a watershed protection and restoration action plan developed under section 304(a)(3), or other applicable watershed planning documents approved by the Secretary may be used as the basis for a water source management plan under this subsection.

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

  69. 16 U.S.C. 6542(e)(1)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(5)

    (1) In general. To the extent that forest management activities are necessary to protect, maintain, or enhance water quality, and in accordance with paragraph (2), the Secretary shall carry out forest management activities as part of watershed protection and restoration projects carried out on National Forest System land, with the primary purpose ofpurpose of advancing any of the purposes described in subsection (b)(2).— (A) protecting a municipal water supply system; (B) restoring forest health from insect infestations and disease; or (C) any combination of the purposes described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).

    The bill says: in subsection (e)(1), by striking "purpose of" in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting "purpose of advancing any of the purposes described in subsection (b)(2)."; and

  70. 16 U.S.C. 6542(g)(2)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(6)

    (2) Matching funds required. The Secretary shall require the contribution of funds or in-kind support from non-Federal partners to be in an amount that is at least equal tonot less than 20 percent of the amount of Federal funds.

    The bill says: by striking "at least equal to" and inserting "not less than 20 percent of";

  71. 16 U.S.C. 6542(g)(2)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(6)

    (2) Matching funds required. The Secretary(A) In general.— Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall require the contribution of funds or in-kind support from non-Federal partners to be in an amount that is at least equal to the amount of Federal funds.

    The bill says: by striking "The Secretary" and inserting the following:

  72. 16 U.S.C. 6542(g)(2)added (B)by S. 1462 Sec. 118(6)

    (B) Waiver.— The Secretary may waive the requirement under subparagraph (A) at the discretion of the Secretary.

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

  73. 16 U.S.C. 6542(g)(4)(B)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(6)

    The bill says: in subparagraph (B), by striking "fiscal years 2019 through 2023" and inserting "fiscal years 2025 through 2031";

  74. 16 U.S.C. 6542(g)(4)renumberedby S. 1462 Sec. 118(6)

    The bill says: by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and

  75. 16 U.S.C. 6542(g)(4)added (C)by S. 1462 Sec. 118(6)

    (C) Set-aside for partner participation in planning and capacity.— Of the amounts made available under subparagraphs (A) and (B) to carry out this section for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall use not less than 10 percent for non-Federal partner technical assistance participation and capacity-building efforts in developing or implementing a water source management plan under subsection (d).

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

  76. 16 U.S.C. 6542(g)added (5)by S. 1462 Sec. 118(6)

    (5) In-kind contributions.— The Secretary may include the value of forest restoration and watershed improvement work implemented on adjacent land in the project area in determining in-kind contributions to a project from non-Federal partners under paragraph (4)(A).

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

  77. 16 U.S.C. 6543(a)(3)(A)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 119(1)

    (A) takes into account existing protection and restoration activities being implemented in the watershed; and

    The bill says: in paragraph (3)(A), by inserting "protection and" before "restoration";

  78. 16 U.S.C. 6543(a)(5)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 119(2)

    (5) to implement each watershed protection and restoration action plan; and

    The bill says: in paragraph (5), by striking "and" at the end;

  79. 16 U.S.C. 6543(a)(6)changedby S. 1462 Sec. 119(3)

    (6) to monitor the effectiveness of protection and restoration actions and indicators of watershed health.; and

    The bill says: in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and

  80. 16 U.S.C. 6543(a)added (7)by S. 1462 Sec. 119(4)

    (7) to ensure that management activities and authorizations do not result in long-term degradation of watershed health or lower the classification under paragraph (1) of any watershed in a National Forest.

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

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

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What has happened

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  1. Oct 27, 2025Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.Library of Congress
  2. Apr 10, 2025Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

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Cosponsors

  • John W. Hickenlooper D-CO
  • Alex Padilla D-CA
  • Tim Sheehy R-MT