Brittany Pettersen (D-CO)
Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to manage a program for reforestation and restoration. The Secretary must identify covered lands that need help recovering after unplanned disturbances like wildfires or insect infestations. This program involves creating a list of priority projects each fiscal year. These projects can be carried out through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. The Secretary is also tasked with conducting outreach to various stakeholders, including Indian Tribes and local governments. Finally, the authority for this program is set to expire seven years after it is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The act establishes a program to restore and reforest lands damaged by unplanned disturbances like wildfires or insect infestations.
- Scored +6
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill mandates outreach to Indian Tribes and allows for contracts through the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
- Scored +5
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill provides for outreach and contract opportunities specifically for Indian Tribes, Alaska Native organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Environmental Recovery of Lands: The program focuses on reforestation and restoration for lands that have suffered unplanned disturbances and are unlikely to recover on their own (Section 2(a)). This helps assist the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed (Section 2(f)(7)).
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Support for Indian Tribes and Native Organizations: The bill requires outreach to Indian Tribes, Alaska Native organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations (Section 2(c)). Additionally, the program can use contracts established under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Section 2(b)(2)(C)).
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Resource Availability: The Secretary has the authority to support grant contracts or cooperative agreements to ensure that there is adequate and appropriate seed and seedling availability for priority projects (Section 2(b)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited Duration of Authority: The authority provided for this program is not permanent and will terminate seven years after the date of enactment (Section 2(e)).
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 air, water and wildlife? — The act establishes a program to restore and reforest lands damaged by unplanned disturbances like wildfires or insect infestations. Does this invest in rural communities? — The focus on reforestation and land restoration may benefit the ecological health of rural areas where such lands are located.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill mandates outreach to Indian Tribes and allows for contracts through the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill provides for outreach and contract opportunities specifically for Indian Tribes, Alaska Native organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
- 3/17/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 3/16/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2524)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2524)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 528.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2524-2525)
- Mr. Wittman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 9/15/2025
- Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-276, Part I.
- Committee on Agriculture discharged.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 232.
- 7/23/2025
- Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- 4/29/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 4/23/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 3/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/16/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Chuck EdwardsRepublican · North Carolina
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania