Jon Ossoff (D-GA)
Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 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
The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025 seeks 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. The Secretary is directed to carry out a timber products output study and a national woodland owner survey. It also requires an update to the strategic plan to include nationally consistent data collection and the integration of remote sensing technology. Additionally, the act focuses on improving the reporting of changes in land cover and carbon-related data.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Secretary to provide clearer definitions of forest terms and publish detailed progress reports on the strategic plan.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill enhances environmental monitoring by incorporating forest carbon data and remote sensing into the national inventory.
- Scored +3
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The mandate to integrate remote sensing and spatial analysis enhances the technological foundation for environmental science.
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 Accuracy: The bill requires a plan to implement nationally consistent data collection protocols to improve the statistical precision of base program estimates (Section 2(a)(4)(7)(A)(i)).
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Increased Transparency: The Secretary must create a plan to increase transparency and clarity in reporting, including providing clear descriptions of the definition of "forest" used for data (Section 2(a)(4)(7)(A)(iv) and Section 2(a)(4)(3)(C)).
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Access to Information: The Secretary is directed to ensure that collected data is easily accessible to all public- and private-sector entities (Section 2(a)(8)(A)).
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Protection of Private Information: The bill mandates that data collection must ensure the confidentiality of plot locations, nonaggregated data of woodland owners, and forest industry information (Section 2(a)(8)(B)).
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Technological Integration: The act aims to integrate existing nationally available data sets and best available commercial technologies, such as remote sensing and spatial analysis (Section 2(a)(4)(7)(A)(iii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Costs for External Organizations: The Secretary may impose fees on external organizations that submit complex data requests to the established office or data platform (Section 2(a)(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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill enhances environmental monitoring by incorporating forest carbon data and remote sensing into the national inventory. Does this invest in rural communities? — Improved forest data and timber product studies provide better resource intelligence for rural forestry communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to provide clearer definitions of forest terms and publish detailed progress reports on the strategic plan.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill facilitates better access to detailed forest and timber data for private-sector business entities. Would farmers be better off under this? — The national woodland owner survey and improved land cover data provide valuable information for agricultural and land-owning interests.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The mandate to integrate remote sensing and spatial analysis enhances the technological foundation for environmental science.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill improves data accessibility for private-sector entities which can benefit small businesses involved in timber and land management.
- 2/25/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/11/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 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.
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia