Bill · H.R. 598· House(119-HR-598)
FIR Act
- Introduced
- 1/21/2025
- Last activity
- 2/28/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- Sponsored by
- Ryan Zinke
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Forest Information Reform Act" or "FIR Act," proposes amendments to existing laws regarding forest and federal land management. It specifically targets the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The legislation aims to prevent the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior from being required to reinitiate certain consultations. This applies to land management or land use plans when new species are listed or when new information regarding species effects emerges.
Yes
Does this invest in rural communities?+2
The bill streamlines land management processes which can facilitate faster land use decisions in rural areas.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+2
Streamlined land management planning can lead to more efficient land use in rural communities.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill increases the administrative authority of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior by limiting required consultation processes.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-6
The bill reduces protections for species by preventing the need for new consultations when new species are listed or new impacts are discovered.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Streamlined Land Management: Under Section 2(a), the Secretary of Agriculture would not be required to reinitiate consultation on Forest Service plans when a new species is listed or critical habitat is designated.
-
Efficiency in Land Use Planning: Under Section 2(b), the Secretary of the Interior would not be required to reinitiate consultation on Bureau of Land Management land use plans due to new species listings or new information regarding effects on species or habitats.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Reduced Consultation Requirements for New Species: Per Section 2(a), the Secretary of Agriculture is not required to reinitiate consultation even when a new species is listed or critical habitat is designated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
-
Reduced Consultation Requirements for New Information: Per Section 2(b), the Secretary of the Interior is not required to reinitiate consultation even when new information reveals effects of a land use plan that may affect a species or critical habitat in a manner not previously considered.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+2Improves Environmental Protections-6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 4/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/28/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- 1/21/2025
- 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
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.
Russ FulcherRepublican · Idaho
Dan NewhouseRepublican · Washington