What it does
SourcedEmergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025
This act 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 act also provides additional options to receive an advance on cost-sharing payments before carrying out emergency measures.
The act expands advance ECP payments to include the replacement, repair, or restoration of farmland or conservation structures requiring an immediate response. Producers may receive an advance on cost-sharing payments for 75% of the cost of the replacement and 50% of the cost of the repair or restoration. Current law limits advance payments to 25% of the cost of the repair or replacement of fencing.
Under EFRP, the act 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. Currently, advance payments are not available under the program.
ECP and EFRP recipients must use the funds within 180 days after the funds are disbursed. This provides additional time to ECP recipients who currently must use the funds within 60 days.
The act also expands eligibility for payments under the programs to include emergency measures to address damages caused by (1) a wildfire that is not caused naturally, if the damage is caused by the spread of the wildfire due to natural causes; and (2) a wildfire that is caused by the federal government.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Jul 12, 2026).
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- 2026-07-12Became Public Law No: 119-102.Library of Congress
- 2026-06-30Presented to President.Library of Congress
- 2026-06-23Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 368 - 19 (Roll no. 223). (text: CR H4137) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
- 2026-03-24Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
- 2025-02-19Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress
After it became law
SourcedNothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-102 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.
Recorded votes
SourcedJun 23, 2026 · House roll call 223 · needed 2/3
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: Passed 368–19
R 178 yes, 19 no, 21 present or not votingI 1 yes, 0 noD 189 yes, 0 no, 23 present or not voting
Cosponsors
- Ben Ray Luján D-NM
- Adam B. Schiff D-CA