A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
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 Wildfire Homeowner Relief Act directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study regarding a Federal buyout program. This study would analyze the feasibility of using Federal grant programs to purchase property from homeowners through voluntary sales before or after a catastrophic wildfire disaster. The study includes compiling recommendations on existing covered buyouts and information exchange between FEMA and HUD. Additionally, the Comptroller General must analyze a potential new buyout program specifically for properties endangered or impacted by catastrophic wildfires. The final report must include findings, economic impact analysis, and the cost to the Federal Government.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +5
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill studies a federal buyout program to assist homeowners in high-risk wildfire areas, involving coordination with FEMA.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill studies land-use recommendations to reduce the risks and impacts of catastrophic wildfires.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The study includes recommendations for land use following property buyouts to mitigate future disaster risks.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Feasibility of Property Sales: The study analyzes using Federal grant programs to purchase property from homeowners through voluntary sales before or after a catastrophic wildfire disaster (Section 2(a)).
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Risk Reduction: The study seeks land use recommendations to ensure that future land uses help reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, loss of life, and loss of property (Section 2(c)(3)(A)).
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Strategic Evacuation Benefits: The study includes a methodology for determining which areas would be most effective for implementing a program by considering where the greatest benefit would be derived from evacuating individuals to avoid loss of life (Section 2(c)(3)(D)(ii)).
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Community Flexibility: The study looks at how to allow flexibility for communities to decide how to use land following a covered buyout (Section 2(c)(3)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
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 improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill studies a federal buyout program to assist homeowners in high-risk wildfire areas, involving coordination with FEMA. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill studies land-use recommendations to reduce the risks and impacts of catastrophic wildfires. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The study includes recommendations for land use following property buyouts to mitigate future disaster risks. Does this invest in rural communities? — The study specifically examines how land use may differ for rural communities in the context of wildfire risk.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The study specifically looks at land use and buyout programs for disadvantaged communities. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The program aims to provide homeowners with a way to sell property in high-risk wildfire areas. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The study considers how land use recommendations may differ for rural communities. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The study considers how land use recommendations may differ for urban communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill proposes a potential new Federal buyout program for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill directs the creation of a national database to track covered buyouts and property maintenance.
- 7/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/27/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
Brad ShermanDemocrat · California