Floor SpeechNeutral2026-06-24

Text of Senate Amendment 6068

ClimateEnvironmentDefense

Context

On 2026-06-24, Senator Angus S. King Jr. (I-ME) delivered a floor speech titled "Text Of Senate Amendment 6068" in the Senate.

Full Text

Text of Senate Amendment 6068

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3273] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6068. Mr. KING submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 5890 submitted by Mr. Thune (for Mr. Curtis (for himself, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Sheehy, and Mr. Padilla)) and intended to be proposed to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of the amendment, add the following: SEC. 5506. FOREST INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS MODERNIZATION. (a) In General.--Section 3(e) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642(e)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by striking ``their resources'' and inserting ``the resources of those forests, including forest carbon,''; (B) by striking ``In compliance'' and inserting the following: ``(A) In general.--In compliance''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(B) Additional methods.--Under the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out, as a data collection method-- ``(i) a timber products output study; and ``(ii) a national woodland owner survey.''; (2) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``including with respect to available forest carbon data,'' after ``2 decades,''; (3) in paragraph (4)-- (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``The standards'' and inserting the following: ``(B) Inclusions.--The standards described in subparagraph (A)''; (B) by striking ``(4) National standards and definitions.-- To ensure'' and inserting the following: ``(4) National consistency.-- ``(A) Standards and definitions.--To ensure''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(C) Terminology.--The Secretary shall include a clear description of the definition of `forest' used for purposes of reporting data from inventories and analyses of forests and the resources of forests under this subsection with-- ``(i) any data or report provided under the program under this subsection; ``(ii) Renewable Resource Assessments prepared under section 3(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601(a)); and ``(iii) any data or report provided to an entity outside the United States.''; and (4) by adding at the end the following: ``(7) Accessibility.--The Secretary shall ensure that data collected under this subsection is-- ``(A) presented in a manner that is easily accessible to the general public and technical experts, including through tools to deliver smaller area estimates; and ``(B) collected and made accessible using means that ensure the confidentiality, in accordance with section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276), of-- ``(i) plot locations; ``(ii) nonaggregated data of woodland owners; and ``(iii) nonaggregated data from the timber products output survey carried out under paragraph (1)(B)(i). ``(8) Confidentiality of information.--All data collected through the national timber products output survey and the national woodland owners survey under paragraph (1)(B) shall be considered confidential in accordance with section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276). ``(9) Annual compilations.--Annually, the Secretary shall prepare and make publicly available a compilation of national forest inventory and analysis forest statistics, which shall be similar to the tables contained in the Renewable Resource Assessments prepared under section 3(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601(a)) and accompanied by relevant geospatial products. ``(10) Reports.--Each year, the Secretary shall publish as part of the forest inventory and analysis business report a detailed description of the progress of the Secretary in implementing the programmatic elements of the strategic plan described in paragraph (6), including-- ``(A) the costs and priorities of the strategic plan; and ``(B) how the program under this subsection leverages new technology, improves and standardizes collection protocols, and increases workforce capacity.''. (b) Forest Inventory and Analysis Program Blue Ribbon Panel.--Section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(f) Forest Inventory and Analysis Program Blue Ribbon Panel.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with the National Association of State Foresters, shall convene a blue ribbon panel (referred to in this subsection as the `Panel') to review the forest inventory and analysis program established under this section (referred to in this subsection as the `program'). ``(2) Composition.-- ``(A) Number.--The Panel shall be composed of not fewer than 10, and not more than 20, members. ``(B) Members.--Members of the Panel shall-- ``(i) include recognized national leaders from across State and Federal agencies, universities, industry, and nongovernmental organizations; and ``(ii) have knowledge of and expertise in forest biometrics, inventory, and remote sensing technology. ``(3) Duties.-- ``(A) Review.--The Panel shall conduct a review of the past progress, current priorities, and future needs of the program with respect to national monitoring of forest carbon, climate change, forest health, and sustainable wood products. ``(B) Considerations.--The review under subparagraph (A) shall include consideration of-- ``(i) the modernization of the program-- ``(I) broadly; and ``(II) specifically relating to the integration of advanced remote sensing technologies and methods such as small area estimation, remote sensing, spatial analysis techniques, and other new technologies; ``(ii) the possibility of more public-private-academic partnerships under the program to help meet the goals of the program and external needs, particularly relating to research priorities, operational implementation of current or ongoing science, and decision support; ``(iii) a plan to implement nationally consistent data collection protocols and procedures to improve the statistical precision of base program estimates; ``(iv) pathways to integrate and report on changes in forest carbon, including below-ground carbon; ``(v) a plan to improve transparency and clarity in reporting in accordance with subsection (e)(4)(C); ``(vi) a plan to expand current data collection, further integrate remote sensing technology, or both, to include procedures to improve the statistical precision of estimates at the sub-State level; and ``(vii) a plan to expand current data collection, further integrate remote sensing technology, or both, to include information on renewable biomass supplies and carbon stocks at the local, State, regional, and national levels, including by ownership type. ``(C) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2027, the Panel shall submit to the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, and Congress a report describing the review conducted under subparagraph (A). ``(4) Administrative matters.-- ``(A) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--The Panel shall select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the nongovernmental members of the Panel. ``(B) Committees.--The Panel may establish 1 or more committees within the Panel as the Panel determines to be appropriate. ``(C) Compensation.--A member of the Panel shall serve without compensation. ``(D) Administrative support.--The Secretary shall provide such administrative support as is necessary for the Panel to carry out its duties. ``(E) Federal advisory committee act.--The Panel shall be exempt from chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the `Federal Advisory Committee Act').''. ______

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Text of Senate Amendment 6068 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3273] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6068. Mr. KING submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 5890 submitted by Mr. Thune (for Mr. Curtis (for himself, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Sheehy, and Mr. Padilla)) and intended to be proposed to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of the amendment, add the following: SEC. 5506. FOREST INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS MODERNIZATION. (a) In General.--Section 3(e) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642(e)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by striking ``their resources'' and inserting ``the resources of those forests, including forest carbon,''; (B) by striking ``In compliance'' and inserting the following: ``(A) In general.--In compliance''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(B) Additional methods.--Under the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out, as a data collection method-- ``(i) a timber products output study; and ``(ii) a national woodland owner survey.''; (2) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``including with respect to available forest carbon data,'' after ``2 decades,''; (3) in paragraph (4)-- (A) in the second sentence, by striking ``The standards'' and inserting the following: ``(B) Inclusions.--The standards described in subparagraph (A)''; (B) by striking ``(4) National standards and definitions.-- To ensure'' and inserting the following: ``(4) National consistency.-- ``(A) Standards and definitions.--To ensure''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(C) Terminology.--The Secretary shall include a clear description of the definition of `forest' used for purposes of reporting data from inventories and analyses of forests and the resources of forests under this subsection with-- ``(i) any data or report provided under the program under this subsection; ``(ii) Renewable Resource Assessments prepared under section 3(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601(a)); and ``(iii) any data or report provided to an entity outside the United States.''; and (4) by adding at the end the following: ``(7) Accessibility.--The Secretary shall ensure that data collected under this subsection is-- ``(A) presented in a manner that is easily accessible to the general public and technical experts, including through tools to deliver smaller area estimates; and ``(B) collected and made accessible using means that ensure the confidentiality, in accordance with section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276), of-- ``(i) plot locations; ``(ii) nonaggregated data of woodland owners; and ``(iii) nonaggregated data from the timber products output survey carried out under paragraph (1)(B)(i). ``(8) Confidentiality of information.--All data collected through the national timber products output survey and the national woodland owners survey under paragraph (1)(B) shall be considered confidential in accordance with section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276). ``(9) Annual compilations.--Annually, the Secretary shall prepare and make publicly available a compilation of national forest inventory and analysis forest statistics, which shall be similar to the tables contained in the Renewable Resource Assessments prepared under section 3(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601(a)) and accompanied by relevant geospatial products. ``(10) Reports.--Each year, the Secretary shall publish as part of the forest inventory and analysis business report a detailed description of the progress of the Secretary in implementing the programmatic elements of the strategic plan described in paragraph (6), including-- ``(A) the costs and priorities of the strategic plan; and ``(B) how the program under this subsection leverages new technology, improves and standardizes collection protocols, and increases workforce capacity.''. (b) Forest Inventory and Analysis Program Blue Ribbon Panel.--Section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(f) Forest Inventory and Analysis Program Blue Ribbon Panel.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with the National Association of State Foresters, shall convene a blue ribbon panel (referred to in this subsection as the `Panel') to review the forest inventory and analysis program established under this section (referred to in this subsection as the `program'). ``(2) Composition.-- ``(A) Number.--The Panel shall be composed of not fewer than 10, and not more than 20, members. ``(B) Members.--Members of the Panel shall-- ``(i) include recognized national leaders from across State and Federal agencies, universities, industry, and nongovernmental organizations; and ``(ii) have knowledge of and expertise in forest biometrics, inventory, and remote sensing technology. ``(3) Duties.-- ``(A) Review.--The Panel shall conduct a review of the past progress, current priorities, and future needs of the program with respect to national monitoring of forest carbon, climate change, forest health, and sustainable wood products. ``(B) Considerations.--The review under subparagraph (A) shall include consideration of-- ``(i) the modernization of the program-- ``(I) broadly; and ``(II) specifically relating to the integration of advanced remote sensing technologies and methods such as small area estimation, remote sensing, spatial analysis techniques, and other new technologies; ``(ii) the possibility of more public-private-academic partnerships under the program to help meet the goals of the program and external needs, particularly relating to research priorities, operational implementation of current or ongoing science, and decision support; ``(iii) a plan to implement nationally consistent data collection protocols and procedures to improve the statistical precision of base program estimates; ``(iv) pathways to integrate and report on changes in forest carbon, including below-ground carbon; ``(v) a plan to improve transparency and clarity in reporting in accordance with subsection (e)(4)(C); ``(vi) a plan to expand current data collection, further integrate remote sensing technology, or both, to include procedures to improve the statistical precision of estimates at the sub-State level; and ``(vii) a plan to expand current data collection, further integrate remote sensing technology, or both, to include information on renewable biomass supplies and carbon stocks at the local, State, regional, and national levels, including by ownership type. ``(C) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2027, the Panel shall submit to the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, and Congress a report describing the review conducted under subparagraph (A). ``(4) Administrative matters.-- ``(A) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--The Panel shall select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the nongovernmental members of the Panel. ``(B) Committees.--The Panel may establish 1 or more committees within the Panel as the Panel determines to be appropriate. ``(C) Compensation.--A member of the Panel shall serve without compensation. ``(D) Administrative support.--The Secretary shall provide such administrative support as is necessary for the Panel to carry out its duties. ``(E) Federal advisory committee act.--The Panel shall be exempt from chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the `Federal Advisory Committee Act').''. ______