Bill · S. 4732· Senate(119-S-4732)
Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 6/10/2026
- Last activity
- 6/10/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Merkley
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act of 2026 allows the President to declare a smoke emergency when wildland fire smoke significantly decreases air quality in one or more States. This declaration can happen based on the President's determination or a request from a Governor. Once declared, Federal agencies can provide assistance like grants, equipment, personnel, and resources for air purifiers and smoke shelters. Small businesses that lose significant revenue due to the smoke may receive grants from the Small Business Administration. The bill also authorizes necessary funding and adjusts budget laws to account for this assistance.
Yes· 3 of 30
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+9
Explicitly empowers FEMA to provide resources for smoke-specific emergency declarations.
Would business owners be better off under this?+8
Direct grant support for small businesses losing revenue due to smoke.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
Rural residents are most directly affected by wildland fires and smoke.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-3
Increases government spending by authorizing new grants and resources for smoke emergencies.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
Authorizes additional appropriations for emergency assistance which may increase national debt.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Emergency Resources: Local communities and States can receive equipment, supplies, personnel, and resources to set up smoke shelters, air purifiers, and air monitoring sites (Section 2(c)).
-
Financial Support for Small Businesses: Small business concerns that lose a significant amount of revenue because of wildland fire smoke in a declared emergency area can receive grants from the Small Business Administration (Section 2(d)).
-
Federal Aid Access: Governors or appropriate agencies can request a presidential declaration to trigger federal smoke emergency assistance (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups are explicitly mentioned in 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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+8Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Retirees+7Good For Seniors+7Good For Children+6Good For Farmers+6Good For People With Disabilities+6Good For Native Americans+5Good For Middle Aged+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Students+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For White Americans+3Good For High Income Households+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+9Improves Environmental Protections+4Improves Rural Development+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+4Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+8Improves Economic Growth+2Reduces Government Spending-3Reduces National Debt-2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Reduces Homelessness+3Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+2
- 6/10/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 3 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.
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon