Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act
The Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act would require the Comptroller General (GAO) to study how wildfire mitigation can be effectively carried out across land ownership boundaries, involving both Federal and non-Federal land. The study would map existing Federal programs, rules, and authorities that help or hinder cross-boundary wildfire work, assess whether changes to those programs could improve funding access and implementation for Federal land management agencies, the Department of Agriculture (NRCS), the Department of Homeland Security (FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration), states, local governments, and Tribal governments, and review activities under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) related to wildfire mitigation. The GAO would then report within two years with findings and concrete recommendations to simplify cross-boundary wildfire mitigation among federal, state, local, and Tribal entities.
Key Points
- 1The bill directs the GAO to study existing Federal programs, rules, and authorities that enable or inhibit wildfire mitigation across land ownership boundaries on both Federal and non-Federal land.
- 2It asks the GAO to evaluate whether changes to those programs/rules could increase funding capacity or access for: Federal land management agencies, the Secretary of Agriculture (via NRCS), the Secretary of Homeland Security (FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration), States, local governments, and Tribal governments.
- 3It requires examination of activities under subsection (e) of section 103 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, focusing on how to improve the effectiveness of those activities and whether they have increased funding access for Federal agencies and States.
- 4A report must be submitted within 2 years of enactment to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, including findings and recommendations to simplify cross-boundary wildfire mitigation.
- 5The act is a study directive rather than an appropriation or immediate policy change, intended to inform future legislation or administrative actions.