Bill · S. 1061· Senate(119-S-1061)
Forest Service Accountability Act
- Introduced
- 3/13/2025
- Last activity
- 3/13/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Lee
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Forest Service Accountability Act," aims to amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994. It changes the process for selecting the Chief of the Forest Service so that the President must appoint the individual with the advice and consent of the Senate. The bill requires the nominee to have substantial experience and demonstrated competence in forest and natural resources management. Additionally, it mandates that any nomination be referred jointly to both the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Finally, the bill requires a new nomination to be submitted within 30 days of the act's enactment, regardless of any current incumbent.
Yes
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+4
Mandating substantial experience and Senate oversight likely improves the management of public forest lands.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The bill enhances oversight of natural resources management by requiring more qualified leadership for the Forest Service.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The Senate advice and consent process increases transparency for high-level agency leadership appointments.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Qualifications for Leadership: The bill requires that the Chief of the Forest Service have substantial experience and demonstrated competence in forest and natural resources management (Section 2, subsection b). This ensures the person leading the agency has a proven background in the field.
-
Enhanced Oversight: By requiring the President to appoint the Chief with the advice and consent of the Senate (Section 2, subsection a), the bill introduces a check on presidential power. Furthermore, nominations must be referred jointly to two Senate committees (Section 2, subsection c, paragraph 1), which allows for more comprehensive scrutiny of the nominee.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- There are no negative impacts or burdens described within the provided text.
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 Public Land Management+4Improves Environmental Protections+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- 3/13/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
John BarrassoRepublican · Wyoming
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana