Bill · H.R. 168· House(119-HR-168)
TORCH Act
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 4/4/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- Sponsored by
- Doug LaMalfa
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The TORCH Act aims to improve how the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior manage forests to reduce catastrophic wildfire risks. It establishes a categorical exclusion for removing high-priority hazard trees near roads, trails, or recreation sites. The bill also expands the size of various wildfire resilience and collaborative restoration projects. Additionally, it modifies how livestock grazing and timber sales are used for risk reduction. Finally, it streamlines vegetation management for electric utility rights-of-way and reduces certain administrative consultation requirements.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
The bill streamlines forest management and hazard tree removal to improve public land safety.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+4
The bill increases the ability of Indian tribes to retain funds from timber sales through Good Neighbor agreements.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+3
The bill enhances livestock grazing opportunities and resource management which can benefit rural economies.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-4
The bill reduces protections by exempting certain utility activities from the Endangered Species Act and National Historic Preservation Act.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Safety Near Public Areas: The bill allows for the removal of "high-priority hazard trees" that are likely to fail and cause injury or damage, specifically focusing on trees within 300 feet of roads, trails, or recreation sites. (Section 101)
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Expanded Wildfire Resilience: The bill increases the size limit for wildfire resilience projects and fuel breaks from 3,000 acres to 10,000 acres. (Section 104 and Section 105)
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Enhanced Livestock Grazing Opportunities: The Secretary of Agriculture will develop a strategy to increase grazing opportunities for wildfire risk reduction, including use on vacant allotments during natural disasters. (Section 103)
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Streamlined Utility Maintenance: The bill expands the distance for hazard tree management near electric power lines from 10 feet to 50 feet and provides an automatic approval process for utility vegetation management plans. (Section 301)
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Improved Resource Use for Localities: Under the Good Neighbor Authority, Indian tribes, Governors, and counties can retain funds from timber sales to carry out authorized restoration services. (Section 201)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Certain Lands: High-priority hazard tree removal activities are prohibited in wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, or lands where vegetation removal is restricted by Act of Congress or Presidential proclamation. (Section 101)
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Reduction in Environmental Protections: The bill states that certain forest management activities for electric utility rights-of-way shall not be subject to the Endangered Species Act or the National Historic Preservation Act. (Section 302)
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Reduced Consultation Requirements: The bill reduces the need for the Secretary to reinitiate consultation under the Endangered Species Act when new species are listed or new information about a land management plan is revealed. (Section 401)
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Mandatory Road Decommissioning: Any temporary roads constructed for electric utility vegetation management must be decommissioned no later than 3 years after the action is completed. (Section 302)
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+4Good For Rural Residents+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+5Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+3Improves Environmental Protections-4
- 4/4/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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.
- Introduced in House
3 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.