Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
Wildfire Emergency Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This legislation, titled the Wildfire Emergency Act of 2026, aims to improve landscape-scale forest restoration and community wildfire resilience. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to set up a pilot program utilizing conservation finance agreements for large-scale forest projects. The bill also establishes programs to upgrade critical infrastructure and microgrids, provide fire-resilient home weatherization materials, and fast-track wildfire detection equipment. Additionally, it creates training centers for prescribed fire methods, supports a forestry workforce development program, and funds a grant program for land stewardship in disadvantaged communities. Ultimately, the bill sets up multiple interagency efforts to research, monitor, and mitigate the risks associated with wildfires across the United States.
Yes· 3 of 41
- Scored +6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The legislation directly aims to improve ecological integrity, forest restoration, and wildfire mitigation across National Forest System lands.
- Scored +6
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The legislation significantly enhances community wildfire resilience, early detection, and emergency energy infrastructure.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill establishes conservation finance agreements and grant programs dedicated to large-scale forest restoration and land stewardship.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes new federal spending and appropriations for grants, weatherization programs, and microgrids.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Low-Income Communities: Under Section 103(f)(2), conservation projects that primarily benefit low-income communities can qualify for a reduced non-Federal cost share requirement, dropping from 50 percent down to 25 percent, making it easier for poorer areas to participate in forest restoration finance agreements.
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Energy Resilience for Critical Facilities: Under Section 201, the Secretary of Energy is directed to establish a program to improve the energy resilience of critical facilities—such as hospitals, police stations, and fire stations—through the use of microgrids, renewable energy, and on-site storage.
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Fire-Resistant Home Improvements: Under Section 202, the law updates weatherization materials to include substances that are resistant to high heat and fire, and increases funding limits for weatherization assistance, helping homeowners retrofit properties against wildfire risks.
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Improved Wildfire Detection: Under Section 203, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior are instructed to expedite the placement of wildfire detection equipment like sensors and cameras in high-risk areas, which can improve early warning and firefighter safety.
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Workforce Training and Grants: Under Section 302 and Section 303, new programs are created to provide grants for forestry workforce training, apprenticeships, and community capacity building, helping local workers and disadvantaged communities secure jobs in land stewardship and fire management.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Financial Risk and Cancellation Costs: Under Section 103(e), conservation finance agreements rely on future appropriations of funds. If Congress fails to appropriate funds in subsequent years, these multi-year agreements may be canceled, terminated, or modified, which could trigger financial cancellation payments owed to project developers using taxpayer funds.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural communities surrounded by National Forest System lands directly benefit from landscape-scale restoration and wildfire mitigation. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides reduced cost shares and targeted land stewardship grants specifically for low-income and disadvantaged communities. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Tribal governments and Indigenous communities are explicitly included as eligible entities with dedicated funding set-asides. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Disadvantaged communities, including historically underserved racial groups, are prioritized for land stewardship grant programs. Would business owners be better off under this? — Contractors, project developers, and timber or forestry businesses benefit from new conservation finance projects and grants. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill addresses landscape restoration, grasslands, and agricultural land watershed protections. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Latino and other minority communities facing environmental vulnerabilities benefit from targeted community capacity grants. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Homeowners benefit from expanded weatherization assistance and fire-resistant home retrofits. Would students be better off under this? — The legislation establishes educational programs, internships, and apprenticeships connecting students to forestry and fire management careers. Would union members be better off under this? — Labor organizations are explicitly included as eligible partners for workforce development grants and forestry training. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — New forestry and fire management workforce programs and apprenticeships create career pathways for younger workers. Would children be better off under this? — Improving wildfire safety and school infrastructure benefits children and educational environments. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Disadvantaged and immigrant-heavy communities are eligible for capacity-building and resilience grants. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Home retrofitting and community wildfire resilience programs protect homeowners and middle-aged residents. Would retired people be better off under this? — Enhanced community resilience and protection of critical local facilities benefit retired residents. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Upgrading nursing homes and healthcare facilities with microgrids protects vulnerable seniors during extreme weather. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Wildland-urban interface projects protect suburban and urban fringe communities from catastrophic wildfires and smoke. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Workforce development and hands-on training programs offer viable career opportunities for veterans entering land management. Would women be better off under this? — Equitable workforce development and community resilience programs provide broad socio-economic benefits.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The legislation significantly enhances community wildfire resilience, early detection, and emergency energy infrastructure. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The legislation directly aims to improve ecological integrity, forest restoration, and wildfire mitigation across National Forest System lands. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill establishes conservation finance agreements and grant programs dedicated to large-scale forest restoration and land stewardship. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides substantial support for rural communities and forest-adjacent areas facing wildfire risks. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill invests in landscape-scale forest restoration, prescribed fire, and renewable energy microgrids. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — Section 201 establishes a program to fund microgrids and renewable energy systems for critical facilities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill supports interdisciplinary science, research centers, and data infrastructure regarding wildfire management and ecology. Does this make college cost less? — Higher education institutions hosting prescribed fire centers and workforce programs receive federal support and grants. Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill expands digital infrastructure and open data policies for wildland fire monitoring and research. Does this put more money into public schools? — Schools and educational institutions are included in workforce development grants and can serve as critical resilient facilities.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill creates workforce development programs, apprenticeships, and grants for forestry and fire management jobs. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The legislation engages contractors, project developers, and small businesses in conservation finance and forest restoration projects. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill promulgates consumer-facing information and resources regarding electricity system resilience and extreme weather. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investments in community resilience, infrastructure, and forestry workforce development stimulate local economic activity. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes new federal spending and appropriations for grants, weatherization programs, and microgrids.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The legislation updates weatherization programs and materials to help homeowners retrofit properties against wildfire risks. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prioritizes disadvantaged communities, including Black, Latino, and Indigenous populations, for land stewardship grants. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Targeted grants and reduced cost-shares for low-income communities support local economic development and capacity building.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation requires detailed reporting, open data disclosures, and evaluations of pilot program implementations. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — States and local governments collaborate closely in implementing microgrid programs, weatherization guidelines, and regional grants. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes new federal interagency programs, pilot authorities, and grant mechanisms administered by the Departments of Agriculture and Energy.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Critical facilities such as hospitals and clinics are targeted for microgrid and energy resilience upgrades. Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak? — Enhancing the energy resilience of critical medical and emergency facilities improves overall disaster readiness.
- 10/26/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
4 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.