H.R.527 - Strengthening Wildfire Resiliency Through Satellites Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 527, the Strengthening Wildfire Resiliency Through Satellites Act of 2025, aims to establish a grant program within the Department of the Interior, specifically through the United States Geological Survey (USGS). This program would fund eligible entities, such as state foresters and emergency managers, to monitor wildfires using satellite technology. The goal is to improve wildfire detection, assessment, response, and management.
The bill allocates $20 million annually from 2026 to 2028 for the grant program. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to submit a report to Congress on the program's impact and recommendations for its potential long-term establishment.
Ultimately, the bill seeks to enhance wildfire resilience by leveraging advanced satellite technology and data analysis, with a focus on active fire behavior, prescribed fire treatments, and post-fire risk assessment.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would lead to the creation of a competitive grant program for wildfire monitoring using satellites. State foresters and emergency managers would have access to funding for purchasing and integrating high-resolution multi- and hyper-spectral imaging capabilities.
This would likely improve the accuracy and timeliness of wildfire data, leading to better-informed decision-making in wildfire management and disaster recovery. The report to Congress could influence future policy decisions regarding long-term wildfire management strategies.
Potential Benefits
- Improved wildfire detection and monitoring through advanced satellite technology.
- Enhanced data analysis for assessing fire behavior, burned areas, and severity.
- Better-informed decision-making for wildfire response and management.
- Increased safety and effectiveness of prescribed fire treatments.
- Improved post-fire risk assessment and disaster recovery efforts.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for bureaucratic delays in establishing and administering the grant program.
- Limited funding may restrict the number of eligible entities that can receive grants.
- Dependence on satellite technology may create vulnerabilities if the technology fails or is disrupted.
- The program's effectiveness hinges on the ability of eligible entities to effectively integrate and utilize the satellite data.
- The program's success depends on the accuracy and reliability of the satellite data.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to provide for the general Welfare of the United States. Wildfire management and disaster recovery can be argued as contributing to the general welfare.
The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights. The allocation of funds and establishment of a grant program fall within the legislative powers granted to Congress.
However, the specific implementation of the grant program by the Secretary of the Interior must adhere to due process and equal protection principles to ensure fairness and avoid arbitrary decision-making.
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).