Kim Schrier (D-WA)
Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
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
The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025 aims to amend the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978. This bill modifies the forest inventory and analysis program to include forest carbon and new data collection methods. It requires the Secretary to conduct a timber products output study and a national woodland owner survey. The legislation mandates updates to a strategic plan to improve data precision and integrate new technologies like remote sensing. It also establishes procedures for reporting on land cover, use, and carbon-related data variables. Finally, the bill seeks to increase data accessibility and transparency while protecting certain confidential information.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Secretary to increase transparency in reporting and provide clear definitions of 'forest'.
- Scored +3
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The bill improves the tracking and reporting of forest carbon and soil carbon variables.
- Scored +2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill increases the accessibility of forest and timber resource data for private-sector entities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Data Precision and Integration: The bill requires a plan to implement consistent data collection protocols and integrate new technologies like remote sciences and spatial analysis to improve the statistical precision of estimates (Section 2(a)(4)(6)(A)(7)(A)(i, v)).
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Enhanced Information on Resources: The program will include forest carbon and pathways to integrate and report on changes in forest carbon, including below-ground carbon (Section 2(a)(4)(6)(A)(7)(A)(ii)).
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Increased Transparency and Clarity: The Secretary is tasked with creating a plan to increase transparency and clarity in reporting, including providing clear descriptions of the definition of "forest" (Section 2(a)(4)(6)(A)(7)(A)(iv) and Section 2(a)(4)(3)(C)).
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Accessibility of Information: The bill mandates that the Secretary ensure data collected is easily accessible to all public- and private-sector entities (Section 2(a)(4)(8)(A)).
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New Resource Data: The Secretary will carry out a timber products output study and a national woodland owner survey as part of the data collection methods (Section 2(a)(2)(B)(i, ii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Costs for Data Requests: The Secretary may impose fees on external organizations that submit complex data requests through the established office or data platform (Section 2(a)(4)(10)(B)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to increase transparency in reporting and provide clear definitions of 'forest'.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill increases the accessibility of forest and timber resource data for private-sector entities. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill includes a national woodland owner survey to better understand land resources.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill improves the tracking and reporting of forest carbon and soil carbon variables.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill mandates making forest data easily accessible to private-sector entities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill updates strategic plans to integrate remote sensing and spatial analysis technologies.
- 4/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/11/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 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.
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
Andrea SalinasDemocrat · Oregon