H.R. 3553 (119th)Bill Overview

BRUSH Fires Act

Public Lands and Natural Resources|Public Lands and Natural Resources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
Support
Lean Democratic
Introduced
May 21, 2025
Discussions
Bill Text
Current stageCommittee

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consid…

Introduced
Committee
Floor
President
Law
Congressional Activities
01 · The brief

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (through the Forest Service) to complete, within one year, a study evaluating the effectiveness of wildfire mitigation methods in shrubland ecosystems.

The study must assess hazardous fuels management, native ecosystem health practices, ember-ignition policies (including electrical infrastructure), conditions affecting method effectiveness, implementation barriers, and partnerships with non-Federal entities.

The Secretary must coordinate with Interior and internal Forest Service programs, may consult external experts, and submit a public report to specified Congressional committees within 90 days after study completion with best practices, research gaps, and coordination recommendations.

Passage65/100

A short, non‑controversial study bill with low fiscal impact and collaborative language has a reasonable chance, though procedural obstacles remain.

CredibilityPartially aligned

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused statutory directive to the Forest Service to conduct and report on a study of wildfire mitigation in shrubland ecosystems. It clearly defines purpose, covered ecosystems, study elements, responsible official, interagency coordination, and report contents, but it omits funding authorization, specific research methods, detailed sequencing, and contingency provisions.

Contention45/100

Liberal emphasizes ecosystem restoration and community protections

02 · What it does

Who stands to gain, and who may push back.

Who this appears to help vs burden50% / 50%
Targeted stakeholdersLocal governments
Likely helped
  • Targeted stakeholdersGenerates systematic evidence on which mitigation methods most reduce wildfire risk and damages in shrublands.
  • Targeted stakeholdersIdentifies best practices to improve native shrub recovery and control invasive species, enhancing ecosystem resilience.
  • Targeted stakeholdersMay reduce future suppression and property damage costs by guiding more effective, targeted mitigation investments.
Likely burdened
  • Targeted stakeholdersThe study may divert Forest Service staff time and resources absent dedicated new funding.
  • Targeted stakeholdersBecause recommendations are not mandatory, the study might not produce concrete on‑the‑ground changes.
  • Local governmentsRecommended mechanical or chemical fuels treatments could harm habitat, native species, or increase erosion locally.
Congressional Budget Office

CBO cost estimate

The clearest budget scorecard attached to this bill: what it changes for direct spending, revenue, and the deficit.

As ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on March 5, 2026

03 · Why people split

Why the argument around this bill splits.

Liberal emphasizes ecosystem restoration and community protections
Progressive80%

Likely supportive of an evidence-driven examination of shrubland fire mitigation that includes ecosystem health and invasive-species controls.

Views the study as a first step toward protecting communities and restoring native ecosystems, while noting that study alone won't deliver funding or immediate action.

Leans supportive
Centrist75%

Generally favorable because it advances evidence-based policy and interagency coordination, while seeking clarity on timeline, duplication avoidance, and how findings will translate into funded action.

Cautious about study becoming a substitute for implementation.

Leans supportive
Conservative55%

Mixed; welcomes attention to fuels management and ember ignition causes, but wary that a Federal study could expand regulatory reach, delay on-the-ground treatments, or increase costs.

Prefers state, local, and private landowner roles emphasized.

Split reaction
04 · Can it pass?

The path through Congress.

Introduced

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Committee

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Floor

Still ahead

President

Still ahead

Law

Still ahead

Passage likelihood65/100

A short, non‑controversial study bill with low fiscal impact and collaborative language has a reasonable chance, though procedural obstacles remain.

Scope and complexity
24%
Scopenarrow
24%
Complexitylow
Why this could stall
  • No explicit funding or cost estimate provided
  • Potential local opposition to specific mitigation methods studied
05 · Recent votes

Recent votes on the bill.

No vote history yet

The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.

06 · Go deeper

Go deeper than the headline read.

Included on this page

Liberal emphasizes ecosystem restoration and community protections

A short, non‑controversial study bill with low fiscal impact and collaborative language has a reasonable chance, though procedural obstacle…

Unlocked analysis

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused statutory directive to the Forest Service to conduct and report on a study of wildfire mitigation in shrubland ecosystems. It clearly defines purpose, co…

Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.

Perspective breakdownsPassage barriersLegislative design reviewStakeholder impact map
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