(To download a PDF of the Policy Update, please visit our publication library.)

Read the latest policy update from Neil Simpson, CWSF/WFLC Director of Policy. This month’s policy update covers: 

• Save Our Sequoias Act Passes the House of Representatives
• Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act Passes the House of Representatives
• The Strategic Grazing to Reduce Risk of Wildfire Act Passes out of Committee
• Accurately Counting Risk Elimination Solutions Act Passes out of Committee
• Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources Act Introduced in the House of Representatives
• Legislation for 20-Year Good Neighbor Authority Agreements Introduced in the House of Representatives

Save Our Sequoias Act Passes the House of Representatives

On March 16, 2026, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2709, the Save Our Sequoias Act, introduced by Congressmen Vince Fong (R-CA) and Scott Peters (D-CA). According to a press release from Congressman Fong’s office, the bill would enhance interagency cooperation, accelerate restoration efforts, and provide science-based resources to land managers.  

H.R. 2709 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and John Curtis (R-UT) have introduced companion legislation.  

View Senator Padilla's press release.

Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act Passes the House of Representatives

On March 16, 2026, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 528, the Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act, introduced by Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC).

The bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a program for post-disaster reforestation and restoration on lands that are unlikely to experience natural regeneration from an “unplanned disturbance.” Within these lands, the Secretary shall propose a list of priority projects and carry them out through competitive grants, contracts, contracts under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and cooperative agreements. 

The bill is now in the Senate, where it has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. 

The Strategic Grazing to Reduce Risk of Wildfire Act Passes out of Committee

On March 4, 2026, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed S. 1981, the Strategic Grazing to Reduce Risk of Wildfire Act, introduced by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and cosponsored by Senator John Curtis (R-UT).

The bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to develop a strategy to utilize grazing for wildfire risk reduction. The act is generally aimed at targeted fuel reduction of cheatgrass and other invasive annual grasses.

The bill directs the Secretaries to consider many items, including using vacant grazing allotments, temporary permits, and targeted grazing to control invasive annual grasses, and the use of targeted grazing in post-fire recovery efforts. It also directs the Secretaries to consult with states, local governments, tribes, utility authorities, and interested community members and organizations in the development of the strategy. 

The bill is similar to section 117 of the House and Senate versions of the Fix Our Forests Act. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. 

Accurately Counting Risk Elimination Solutions Act Passes out of Committee

On March 4, 2026, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed H.R. 204, the Accurately Counting Risk Elimination Solutions (ACRES) Act. The bill seeks to improve transparency and accountability of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hazardous fuels reduction activities. It would require the USDA and DOI to implement standardized procedures for tracking hazardous fuels activities and include a detailed report each year in the President’s budget.

The report must include:

• The number of acres of hazardous fuels reduction activities on federal land, counting each acre only once, regardless of the number of treatments that took place on that acre,
• Information on which acres were located in the wildland-urban interface,
• the level and effectiveness of the risk reduction, and
• Cost per acre. 

The bill has already passed the House of Representatives and now awaits consideration on the Senate floor. 

Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources Act Introduced in the House of Representatives

Congresswomen Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) and Congressman Jack Bergman (R-MI) have introduced H.R. 7712, the Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) Support Act of 2026. The bill would establish dedicated full-time staff and a budget line item for the USDA Forest Service’s (Forest Service) RNGR program, expand technical assistance, and create opportunities for grants to state, tribal, and private nurseries.  

RNGR is also included in section 216 of S. 1462, the Fix Our Forests Act, and in section 8305 of H.R. 7657, the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 (2026 Farm Bill). 

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) has endorsed the legislation. Washington State Forester George Geissler stated in a press release from Representative Schrier's office that the RNGR program “represents a key but under-resourced program for providing technical training, coordination, and support to state, private, and tribal nursery efforts.”  

Legislation for 20-Year Good Neighbor Authority Agreements Introduced in the House of Representatives

On March 19, 2026, Congressman David Valadao (R-CA) introduced H.R. 7951, the Long-term Good Neighbor Authority Act. The bill would amend the 2014 Farm Bill and the Explore Act to legislatively authorize the Forest Service, Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enter into GNA Agreements up to 20 years in length with states, counties, and tribes. 

NASF has endorsed the legislation, with Executive Director Jay Farrell stating in a press release from Congressman Valadao’s office, “Good Neighbor Authority is a proven and time-tested cross-boundary tool for State Foresters and federal land managers to address wildfire risk and increase forest health, while providing economic benefit to rural communities. We thank Representative Valadao for his leadership, and we look forward to ensuring policies are in place to establish greater stability and predictability for states to fully leverage Good Neighbor Authority.”

Montana State Forester Shawn Thomas will provide testimony on the bill to the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federal Lands. The hearing is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EDT on March 26. View the hearing and testimony.