H.R.204 - Accurately Counting Risk Elimination Solutions Act; ACRES Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 204, the Accurately Counting Risk Elimination Solutions Act (ACRES Act), aims to improve the accuracy and transparency of reporting on hazardous fuels reduction activities conducted by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior. The bill mandates detailed reporting on acres treated, wildfire risk levels, types of activities, costs, and effectiveness. It also requires standardized data collection procedures and a GAO study to assess implementation.
Expected Effects
The ACRES Act will likely lead to more informed decision-making regarding wildfire management by providing better data on the effectiveness and cost of hazardous fuels reduction activities. This could result in more efficient allocation of resources and improved wildfire risk mitigation. However, the bill explicitly states that no additional funds are authorized, which may limit its impact if existing resources are insufficient to meet the new reporting requirements.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced transparency in hazardous fuels reduction activities.
- Improved data-driven decision-making for wildfire management.
- Standardized data collection for better comparison and analysis.
- Publicly available reports on hazardous fuels reduction efforts.
- Increased accountability for the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior.
Potential Disadvantages
- No additional funding is authorized, potentially limiting the scope and effectiveness of the Act.
- Increased administrative burden on the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior.
- Potential delays in hazardous fuels reduction activities due to new reporting requirements.
- The effectiveness of the Act depends on the accuracy and completeness of the data collected and reported.
- The GAO study may identify limitations that require further legislative action.
Constitutional Alignment
The ACRES Act appears to align with the US Constitution, particularly Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to regulate public lands and provide for the general welfare. The Act does not infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights. The requirement for accurate reporting and data collection supports informed decision-making, which is consistent with the principles of good governance.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).