Alex Padilla (D-CA)
Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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 "Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025," focuses on the management of vegetation around electrical lines. It seeks to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to allow the removal of trees or other vegetation near distribution or transmission lines on National Forest System land. This removal can occur without the need for a separate timber sale. The bill applies to special use permits or easements provided to electrical utilities. It also establishes rules regarding the use of proceeds if any removed material is sold.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill reduces regulatory hurdles and the need for separate timber sales for electrical utilities.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill facilitates vegetation management around electrical lines which can help prevent wildfires on National Forest System land.
- Scored +2
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Proactive vegetation management can help prevent wildfire-related disruptions to rural electrical services.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Streamlined Tree Removal: The Secretary of Agriculture may permit the cutting and removal of trees or vegetation near electrical lines without requiring a separate timber sale, provided it follows land management plans and environmental laws (Section 2(a)).
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Revenue Sharing: If an electrical utility chooses to sell any of the material they remove, they are required to provide the proceeds to the Secretary of Agriculture, minus transportation costs (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Requirement to Sell Material: There is no requirement for an electrical utility to sell any of the material that is removed under these permits or easements (Section 2(c)).
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 business owners be better off under this? — The bill reduces regulatory hurdles and the need for separate timber sales for electrical utilities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Proactive vegetation management can help prevent wildfire-related disruptions to rural electrical services.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill facilitates vegetation management around electrical lines which can help prevent wildfires on National Forest System land. Does this invest in rural communities? — Streamlining electrical corridor maintenance can improve the reliability of power infrastructure serving rural areas.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill reduces administrative burdens for utilities by allowing vegetation removal without a separate timber sale.
- 7/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada