Ryan Zinke (R-MT)
Forest Service Accountability Act
A Republican bill with 11 Republican cosponsors · See all 11 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
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 bill, known as the "Forest Service Accountability Act," seeks to amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994. It mandates that the President appoint the Chief of the Forest Service with the advice and consent of the Senate. The bill requires the appointee to have substantial experience and demonstrated competence in forest and natural resources management. Additionally, it dictates that nominations be referred jointly to specific Senate committees. Finally, the bill requires a new nomination to be submitted within 30 days of the act's enactment, regardless of current incumbents.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +4
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill strengthens the leadership requirements for the Forest Service to ensure more competent management of public lands.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill mandates that the Forest Service Chief possess substantial experience and demonstrated competence in forest and natural resources management.
- Scored +2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill formalizes the Presidential appointment and Senate consent process for the Chief of the Forest Service.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Ensuring Qualified Leadership: Under Section 2(b), an individual appointed must have substantial experience and demonstrated competence in forest and natural resources management, which ensures the person leading the agency has the necessary expertise.
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Increased Senate Oversight: Section 2(a) requires that the President appoint the Chief with the advice and consent of the Senate, providing a system of checks and balances for this high-level position.
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Detailed Committee Review: According to Section 2(c)(1), nominations will be referred jointly to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, allowing multiple specialized committees to review the nominee.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the text of the bill.
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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill strengthens the leadership requirements for the Forest Service to ensure more competent management of public lands. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill mandates that the Forest Service Chief possess substantial experience and demonstrated competence in forest and natural resources management. Does this invest in rural communities? — Requiring highly qualified leadership for the Forest Service can help ensure more effective management of public lands used by rural communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The requirement for Senate advice and consent and joint committee referrals increases legislative oversight of the agency leadership. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill formalizes the Presidential appointment and Senate consent process for the Chief of the Forest Service.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Enhanced leadership requirements for the Forest Service may lead to more stable and professional management of lands vital to rural economies.
- 3/28/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- 2/27/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 11 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
James BairdRepublican · Indiana
Michael BaumgartnerRepublican · Washington
Nicholas BegichRepublican · Alaska
Ken CalvertRepublican · California
Elijah CraneRepublican · Arizona
Lance GoodenRepublican · Texas
Jeff HurdRepublican · Colorado
Julia LetlowRepublican · Louisiana
James MoylanRepublican · Guam
Dan NewhouseRepublican · Washington
August PflugerRepublican · Texas