Bill · S. 2566· Senate(119-S-2566)
Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act
- Introduced
- 7/31/2025
- Last activity
- 7/31/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4999)
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act aims to amend the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978. This bill would allow States to authorize certain qualified organizations to acquire, hold, and manage conservation easements through the Forest Legacy Program. To be considered a qualified organization, an entity must meet specific requirements regarding its purpose and accreditation status. These organizations must also demonstrate the ability to monitor and enforce interests in forestland. The bill also establishes specific conditions under which a conservation easement may revert to a State or another organization.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill expands the ability of states to use qualified organizations to manage conservation easements for forestland protection.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+4
The bill empowers states to authorize third-party organizations to manage conservation easements under the Forest Legacy Program.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+3
The expansion of forestland conservation management can support the ecological integrity of rural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded management of conservation easements: At the request of a State, the Secretary shall authorize the State to approve eligible qualified organizations to acquire, hold, and manage conservation easements under the Forest Legacy Program (Section 2(a)(2)).
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High standards for organizations: The bill ensures that organizations involved must be organized and operated principally for conservation purposes and must have maintained accredited status by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission (Section 2(a)(1)(B) and (D)).
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Protection against improper organizations: The bill excludes organizations that have been the subject of criminal or civil enforcement actions by the Attorney General or the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service regarding charitable donations of conservation easements (Section 2(a)(1)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk of loss of easement control: If a qualified organization is unable to carry out its responsibilities, the easement may be terminated, causing rights and interests to revert to the State or another organization (Section 2(a)(4) and (5)(A)).
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Loss of easement due to modification: A conservation easement could be lost if it is modified in a way that is inconsistent with the Forest Legacy Program or the state's assessment of need (Section 2(a)(4) and (5)(B)).
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Loss of easement due to transfer: The rights to a conservation easement may be lost if it is conveyed to a person who is not an approved qualified organization (Section 2(a)(4) and (5)(C)).
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 Environmental Protections+5Improves Rural Development+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Farmers+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+4
- 7/31/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4999)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana