Bill · S. 517· Senate(119-S-517)
Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/11/2025
- Last activity
- 2/11/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Jon Ossoff
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025 seeks to amend the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978. This bill modifies the forest inventory and analysis program to include forest carbon and new data collection methods. The Secretary is directed to carry out a timber products output study and a national woodland owner survey. It also requires an update to the strategic plan to include nationally consistent data collection and the integration of remote sensing technology. Additionally, the act focuses on improving the reporting of changes in land cover and carbon-related data.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill requires the Secretary to provide clearer definitions of forest terms and publish detailed progress reports on the strategic plan.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The bill enhances environmental monitoring by incorporating forest carbon data and remote sensing into the national inventory.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+3
The mandate to integrate remote sensing and spatial analysis enhances the technological foundation for environmental science.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Data Accuracy: The bill requires a plan to implement nationally consistent data collection protocols to improve the statistical precision of base program estimates (Section 2(a)(4)(7)(A)(i)).
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Increased Transparency: The Secretary must create a plan to increase transparency and clarity in reporting, including providing clear descriptions of the definition of "forest" used for data (Section 2(a)(4)(7)(A)(iv) and Section 2(a)(4)(3)(C)).
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Access to Information: The Secretary is directed to ensure that collected data is easily accessible to all public- and private-sector entities (Section 2(a)(8)(A)).
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Protection of Private Information: The bill mandates that data collection must ensure the confidentiality of plot locations, nonaggregated data of woodland owners, and forest industry information (Section 2(a)(8)(B)).
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Technological Integration: The act aims to integrate existing nationally available data sets and best available commercial technologies, such as remote sensing and spatial analysis (Section 2(a)(4)(7)(A)(iii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Costs for External Organizations: The Secretary may impose fees on external organizations that submit complex data requests to the established office or data platform (Section 2(a)(10)(B)).
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+3Improves Rural Development+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+2Good For Farmers+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2
- 2/25/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/11/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Bill CassidyRepublican · Louisiana
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia