Bills of Congress June 17, 2025 by U.S. Congress

H.R.4038 - Wildfire Response and Preparedness Act of 2025 (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R. 4038, the Wildfire Response and Preparedness Act of 2025, aims to improve the federal government's response to wildfire incidents. It mandates the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to establish response time standards for wildland fires on federal lands. The bill also requires a report to Congress detailing strategies for enhancing wildfire response, including unified budgeting, performance indicators, and resource assessments.

Expected Effects

The bill's enactment would likely lead to quicker response times to wildfires on federal lands, potentially reducing the extent of damage. It could also result in improved coordination and resource allocation among federal agencies involved in wildfire management. The required report to Congress may highlight areas needing additional investment or policy changes.

Potential Benefits 4/5

* Faster response times to wildfires, potentially saving lives and property.
* Improved coordination among federal agencies in wildfire management.
* A unified budget request, potentially leading to more efficient resource allocation.
* Enhanced performance indicators for wildfire response, allowing for better evaluation and improvement.
* A comprehensive assessment of resources and authorities needed for effective wildfire management.

Most Benefited Areas:

Environmental Protection & Climate Action ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Public Safety & Crime Reduction ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Public Health & Healthcare Access ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Potential Disadvantages

* The 30-minute response time goal may be difficult to achieve in all areas, particularly remote locations.
* Increased costs associated with maintaining a larger firefighting fleet and resources.
* Potential for bureaucratic delays in establishing and implementing the new standards.
* The act focuses primarily on federal lands, potentially neglecting state and private lands.
* The act's effectiveness depends on the accuracy and completeness of the report to Congress and the subsequent actions taken.

Constitutional Alignment 4/5

The bill appears to align with the constitutional mandate to "provide for the common defence" and "promote the general Welfare," as outlined in the Preamble. Congress's authority to legislate on matters related to federal lands and natural resources is generally accepted. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.