Bill · S. 3152· Senate(119-S-3152)
LEAF Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 11/6/2025
- Last activity
- 11/6/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Ben Luján
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Local Employment Access for our Forests Act of 2025, or the LEAF Act of 2025, amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to give preference to appropriate local contractors when awarding contracts for hazardous fuel reduction projects on Federal land. The bill defines what qualifies as a local contractor and lists various authorized projects, such as vegetation management and fire break creation. It also requires the Secretary to provide reports to Congress on the economic impact and the number of contracts awarded to local entities. Additionally, a monitoring and evaluation process must be established to ensure compliance.
Yes· 3 of 14
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
Directly benefits rural communities through local contracting and reduced wildfire risk.
Would business owners be better off under this?+7
Local business owners receive a direct preference in the awarding of federal contracts.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+7
The bill provides a competitive preference for local contractors, which heavily benefits small, regional businesses.
The opposite
Does this make it easier to do business across state lines?-2
Preferencing local contractors may slightly restrict free competition across state lines.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Support for Local Businesses and Workers: Section 2(b) requires the Secretary to give preference to appropriate local contractors to the maximum extent practicable. This could increase opportunities for businesses and workers located within the state or within a 60-mile radius of their business registration.
-
Wildfire Risk Reduction: Section 2(a)(2) authorizes projects such as creating fuel breaks, removing hazard trees, and vegetation management to reduce the risk of wildfires on Federal land. This can help protect life and property from catastrophic wildfires.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited Competition for Non-Local Contractors: Section 2(b) mandates a preference for local contractors, which may limit the ability of entities that are not defined as "appropriate local contractors" to win contracts for authorized projects.
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+8Good For Business Owners+7Good For Native Americans+4Good For Farmers+3Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Middle Class Households+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+7Increases Job Creation+5Improves Economic Growth+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+6Improves Public Land Management+5Improves Environmental Protections+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Improves Interstate Commerce-2
- 11/6/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana