Momentum has been building in the U.S. Senate where several new bipartisan proposals aim to improve forest management, reduce wildfire risks and strengthen disaster resilience.
As wildfires and other natural disasters continue to threaten communities across the country with increasing intensity, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are making efforts to address the problem. Specifically, momentum is building in the U.S. Senate, where several new bipartisan proposals aim to improve forest management, reduce wildfire risks and strengthen disaster resilience.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing on S. 1462, the “Fix Our Forests Act of 2025." The hearing highlighted the bill's bipartisan support, proving that the devastating impact of severe wildfires goes beyond political affiliations.
The bill was introduced in the Senate in April and was sponsored by Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), and Alex Padilla (D-California). A similar bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year and passed the chamber with strong bipartisan support.
Like the House version, the Senate bill will improve forest management, reduce wildfire risk, and protect critical infrastructure through enhanced federal, state, tribal, and local collaboration. The bill also seeks to eliminate legal and regulatory obstacles, streamline forest management projects, and encourage active management to protect powerlines and other critical infrastructure.
Along with the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and Reinsurance Association of America, the Big “I" sent a letter to Senate leaders expressing support and encouraging passage of the bill.
Meanwhile, another important piece of disaster mitigation legislation was introduced in the Senate in April. Sens. Adam Schiff (D-California) and Tim Sheehy (R-Montana) have teamed up to introduce S. 1323, the “Facilitating Increased Resilience, Environmental Weatherization and Lowered Liability Act (FIREWALL)."
FIREWALL is aimed at promoting community resilience to natural disasters through the creation of a new, fully refundable federal tax credit that will cover 50% of eligible upgrades for families earning under $200,000 and will phase out for those earning up to $300,000. The credit ensures affordability for disaster-prone communities to protect themselves from future disasters.
As any wildfire-related legislation makes its way through Congress, the Big “I" will continue to provide members with updates in the weekly News & Views e-newsletter.
Corey Miller is Big “I" director of federal government affairs.
