Bill · H.R. 7578· House(119-HR-7578)
TORCH Act
- Introduced
- 2/13/2026
- Last activity
- 2/13/2026 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Kennedy
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The TORCH Act aims to improve the ability of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to perform forest management to reduce catastrophic wildfire risks. It establishes categorical exclusions for high-priority hazard tree activities and electric utility line rights-of-way. The bill also expands the size of certain wildfire resilience and collaborative restoration projects. Additionally, it modifies the treatment of revenue under Good Neighbor agreements to include Indian tribes. Finally, it streamlines administrative requirements by limiting certain consultation needs under the Endangered Species Act.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+5
The bill empowers Indian tribes to retain and use revenue from timber sales for their own restoration services.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill aims to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires which directly benefits rural communities.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+5
The bill allows Indian tribes to retain and use funds from timber sales for restoration services under Good Neighbor agreements.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-4
The bill reduces environmental oversight by limiting Endangered Species Act consultation and exempting certain utility activities from environmental impact statements.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-2
The bill increases federal authority by streamlining administrative requirements and reducing mandatory consultation processes.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Safety near Roads and Trails: The bill allows for the removal of high-priority hazard trees that are likely to cause injury or damage and are located within 300 feet of National Forest System roads, trails, or developed recreation sites (Section 101).
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Increased Wildfire Risk Reduction via Livestock: The Secretary of Agriculture will develop a strategy to use livestock grazing as a wildfire risk reduction tool, including targeted grazing and use on vacant allotments during natural disasters (Section 103).
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Expanded Wildfire Mitigation Projects: The bill increases the allowable size for wildfire resilience projects and collaborative restoration projects from 3,000 acres to 10,000 acres (Sections 104 and 402).
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Enhanced Utility Line Maintenance: The bill expands the distance for hazard tree management near electric power lines from 10 feet to 50 feet (Section 301).
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Expanded Revenue Retention for Tribes: Under Good Neighbor agreements, Indian tribes may now retain and use funds from timber sales to carry out restoration services (Section 201).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Wilderness Areas: High-priority hazard tree activities and utility-related forest management activities are prohibited in National Wilderness Preservation Systems or areas where vegetation removal is restricted by law (Sections 101 and 302).
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Reduced Environmental Oversight: Certain forest management activities related to electric utility rights-of-way will not be subject to the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, or extraordinary circumstances procedures (Section 302).
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Limited Consultation for Land Plans: The bill specifies that the Secretary is not required to reinitiate consultation under the Endangered Species Act when a land management plan is amended or revised, even if a new species is listed or new information is revealed (Sections 401 and 401(b)).
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Temporary Road Requirements: Any temporary roads constructed for certain forest management activities must be decommissioned within 3 years after the completion of the activity (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+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Farmers+4Good For Business Owners+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights-2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4Improves Environmental Protections-4
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/13/2026
- 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
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.
James GallagherRepublican · California