Bill · S. 4812· Senate(119-S-4812)
FIRE SMART Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 6/17/2026
- Last activity
- 6/17/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2895)
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 4
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The FIRE SMART Act of 2026 requires the EPA Administrator to update regulations regarding drinking water State revolving funds. The bill defines specific terms for rural areas and communities at high risk from wildfires. It expands the use of these funds to include water infrastructure improvements that aid in fire suppression. Priority for these projects will be given to communities with wildfire protection plans or those that encourage private property owners to reduce fire risk.
Yes· 3 of 26
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+9
Specifically targets rural areas for critical water and fire suppression infrastructure improvements.
Does this invest in rural communities?+7
Directly provides for the enhancement of water infrastructure and fire suppression in rural and exurban areas.
Would farmers be better off under this?+6
Directly benefits rural land managers and farmers by improving fire suppression infrastructure.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Fire Suppression Support: By defining "water infrastructure for fire suppression" and allowing funds for the enhancement of delivery, distribution, and storage capacity, the bill helps protect public health, safety, and property from wildfire in high-risk rural areas (Section 2(a)(1)(C) and Section 2(a)(2)(A)).
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Priority for Proactive Communities: Projects that provide both drinking water and fire suppression benefits will be prioritized if the community has a wildfire protection plan or takes measures to reduce fire risk on private property (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Improved Infrastructure Access: The bill allows the priority system for funding to include projects that improve both drinking water infrastructure and fire suppression infrastructure in high-risk rural areas (Section 2(a)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups are explicitly stated 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 Rural Residents+9Good For Farmers+6Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Billionaires+3Good For Business Owners+3Good For Children+3Good For High Income Households+3Good For High Net Worth Individuals+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For Retirees+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals+3Good For Young Adults+3Good For Union Workers+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+7Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5Improves Environmental Protections+3Improves Public Land Management+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+2Improves Economic Growth+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+2Increases Federal Power+1
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Reduces Homelessness+1
- 6/17/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2895)
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
John BoozmanRepublican · Arkansas
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana