Bill · H.R. 731· House(119-HR-731)
Green Tape Elimination Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/24/2025
- Last activity
- 1/24/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- Sponsored by
- Darrell Issa
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Green Tape Elimination Act of 2025 aims to exempt hazardous fuel reduction activities from certain environmental requirements for a 10-year period. These activities occur on Federal land and include installing fuel breaks or using methods like prescribed fire and mechanical removal to reduce materials like trees, grasses, and shrubs. The bill removes the requirement to consider these activities as major Federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Additionally, it exempts these activities from several specific laws, including the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Finally, it amends the Clean Air Act regarding how air quality monitoring data is used for certain activities.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill aims to reduce fire risks through fuel breaks and prescribed burns, which directly benefits people living in rural, fire-prone areas.
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill allows federal agencies to bypass established environmental review processes for specific activities on federal land.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+4
The bill proactively addresses wildfire risks through fuel reduction, which can reduce the severity of future natural disasters.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-7
The bill exempts fuel reduction activities from the protections of the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?-1
The removal of environmental oversight may impact the habitats and public lands that people with disabilities utilize for recreation.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Fire Control: The bill allows for the installation of fuel breaks or firebreaks, which are intended to help a fire be more readily controlled or to provide a control line to stop or check a fire (Section 2(d)(2)(A)).
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Reduction of Fire Risks: The bill facilitates the reduction of hazardous fuels through prescribed fire, wildland fire use, or mechanical methods like thinning and pruning (Section 2(d)(2)(B)).
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Air Quality Determination Protections: For hazardous fuel reduction activities that the Administrator determines have a significant impact on air quality, the Administrator must exclude the monitoring data caused by that activity when determining if there are violations of national ambient air quality standards (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Reduced Environmental Protections: Hazardous fuel reduction activities will not be considered major Federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Removal of Specific Legal Safeguards: These activities may be carried out without regard to several federal laws and regulations, including the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (Section 2(b)).
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 Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights-1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+4Improves Rural Development+3Improves Environmental Protections-7
- 1/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/28/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/24/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Mike CollinsRepublican · Georgia
Doug LaMalfaRepublican · California
Jay ObernolteRepublican · California
Claudia TenneyRepublican · New York