Floor Speech2026-06-02

CROSS-BOUNDARY WILDFIRE SOLUTIONS ACT

Context

On 2026-06-02, Representative Melanie A. Stansbury (D-NM-1) delivered a floor speech titled "CROSS-BOUNDARY WILDFIRE SOLUTIONS ACT" in the House.

Full Text

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3767-H3769] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CROSS-BOUNDARY WILDFIRE SOLUTIONS ACT Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3922) to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on existing programs, rules, and authorities that enable or inhibit wildfire mitigation across land ownership boundaries on Federal and non-Federal land, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3922 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Covered agency.--The term ``covered agency'' means-- (A) each Federal land management agency (as defined in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801)); (B) the Natural Resources Conservation Service; (C) the Environmental Protection Agency; (D) the Federal Emergency Management Agency; (E) the United States Fire Administration; (F) States; (G) Indian Tribes; and (H) local governments. (2) Covered authority.--The term ``covered authority'' means-- (A) the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.); (B) the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.); (C) the good neighbor authority under section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a); (D) the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.); (E) the collaborative forest landscape restoration program under section 4003 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303); and (F) any other statutory authority that facilitates cross- boundary wildfire mitigation or forest health improvement activities, as determined by the Comptroller General of the United States. SEC. 3. STUDY ON WILDFIRE MITIGATION ACROSS LAND OWNERSHIP BOUNDARIES. (a) Study Required.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on-- (1) the existing Federal programs, rules, and authorities that enable or inhibit wildfire mitigation from being completed across land ownership boundaries on Federal and non-Federal land; (2) whether changes to any program, rule, or authority (including changes to existing statutory definitions) identified pursuant to paragraph (1) would-- (A) allow a covered agency increased capacity or access to funding to mitigate wildfires or improve forest health; and (B) enable better community protection and prevent the loss of structures due to wildfire; and (3) the activities carried out pursuant to a covered authority, including-- (A) how to improve the efficacy of such activities with respect to mitigating wildfire; and (B) whether the enactment of such covered authority has increased capacity or access to funding to mitigate wildfires for a covered agency. (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains-- (1) the results of the study required under subsection (a); and (2) recommendations to simplify cross-boundary wildfire mitigation between Federal land management agencies and State, local, and Tribal governments. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas. General Leave Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3922, the bill now under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas? There was no objection. Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3922, the Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act, a bipartisan bill led by Representatives Neguse and Kim. This important, straightforward legislation directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study analyzing barriers to cross-boundary forest management between the Federal Government and non-Federal partners. Catastrophic wildfires do not respect manmade boundaries. They burn across a patchwork of Federal, State, Tribal, local, and private lands, wreaking havoc all along the way. Confronting our Nation's forest health and wildfire crisis requires an all-hands-on-deck approach with stronger coordination and collaboration across all jurisdictions. Tools like Good Neighbor Authority and Shared Stewardship have successfully allowed non-Federal partners to work with Federal agencies to carry out cross-boundary treatments to restore forest health and mitigate wildfire threats. Recently, the Trump administration signed a new Shared Stewardship agreement with Montana to treat up to 200,000 acres of fire-prone, overgrown forest. Just last week, another Shared Stewardship agreement was signed between the Forest Service and South Dakota, which will allow more fuels reduction treatments on South Dakota's nearly 2 million acres of forest land. This type of proactive collaboration is exactly what is needed, especially as we approach the height of what some are anticipating will be one of the worst wildfire years on record. However, more can be done to remove barriers that limit cross-boundary efforts, improve coordination, and reduce fragmentation and duplication across programs. H.R. 3922 will help address these challenges by directing the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of wildfire mitigation efforts across Federal and non-Federal lands. This legislation requires an examination of Federal programs, rules, and authorities to determine which policies are supporting cross- boundary efforts and which are inhibiting them. The [[Page H3768]] study will also identify necessary changes to improve and increase wildfire mitigation efforts. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3922, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC, May 26, 2026. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual understanding regarding H.R. 3922, the ``Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act.'' Thank you for collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our jurisdiction. The Committee on Agriculture will forgo any further consideration of this bill. However, by forgoing consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over any subject matter contained in this or similar legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you support such a request. We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 3922 and request a copy of our letters on this matter be published in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration. Sincerely, Glenn ``GT'' Thompson, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, May 26, 2026. Hon. Glenn Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson: I write regarding H.R. 3922, the ``Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act,'' which was ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources on February 11, 2026. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture and appreciate your willingness to forgo further consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Agriculture will not formally consider H.R. 3922 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained therein. I am pleased to support your request to name members of the Committee on Agriculture to any conference committee to consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill and will include such letters in the committee report on H.R. 3922. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation. Sincerely, Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources. Ms. STANSBURY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act, sponsored by Mr. Joe Neguse, would direct the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, to study the existing Federal programs, rules, and authorities that either enable or inhibit cross-boundary wildfire mitigation. As we all know, wildfires do not respect property lines or jurisdictional boundaries. Yet, our mitigation efforts are too often hindered by the complex borders between Federal, State, local, and Tribal lands. This bill takes direct aim at this problem by answering recommendation 24 from the bipartisan Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission report. We need to know what is working and what is standing in the way. By identifying these gaps, we can improve collaboration, ensure all levels of government have better access to mitigation and funding, and build far more effective wildfire strategies. Ultimately, this legislation will enhance our capacity to manage these crises, reduce the frequency and severity of

Referenced legislation: HR3922, HR3922

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CROSS-BOUNDARY WILDFIRE SOLUTIONS ACT Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3767-H3769] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CROSS-BOUNDARY WILDFIRE SOLUTIONS ACT Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3922) to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on existing programs, rules, and authorities that enable or inhibit wildfire mitigation across land ownership boundaries on Federal and non-Federal land, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3922 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Covered agency.--The term ``covered agency'' means-- (A) each Federal land management agency (as defined in section 802 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801)); (B) the Natural Resources Conservation Service; (C) the Environmental Protection Agency; (D) the Federal Emergency Management Agency; (E) the United States Fire Administration; (F) States; (G) Indian Tribes; and (H) local governments. (2) Covered authority.--The term ``covered authority'' means-- (A) the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.); (B) the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.); (C) the good neighbor authority under section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a); (D) the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.); (E) the collaborative forest landscape restoration program under section 4003 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303); and (F) any other statutory authority that facilitates cross- boundary wildfire mitigation or forest health improvement activities, as determined by the Comptroller General of the United States. SEC. 3. STUDY ON WILDFIRE MITIGATION ACROSS LAND OWNERSHIP BOUNDARIES. (a) Study Required.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on-- (1) the existing Federal programs, rules, and authorities that enable or inhibit wildfire mitigation from being completed across land ownership boundaries on Federal and non-Federal land; (2) whether changes to any program, rule, or authority (including changes to existing statutory definitions) identified pursuant to paragraph (1) would-- (A) allow a covered agency increased capacity or access to funding to mitigate wildfires or improve forest health; and (B) enable better community protection and prevent the loss of structures due to wildfire; and (3) the activities carried out pursuant to a covered authority, including-- (A) how to improve the efficacy of such activities with respect to mitigating wildfire; and (B) whether the enactment of such covered authority has increased capacity or access to funding to mitigate wildfires for a covered agency. (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains-- (1) the results of the study required under subsection (a); and (2) recommendations to simplify cross-boundary wildfire mitigation between Federal land management agencies and State, local, and Tribal governments. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas. General Leave Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3922, the bill now under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas? There was no objection. Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3922, the Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act, a bipartisan bill led by Representatives Neguse and Kim. This important, straightforward legislation directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study analyzing barriers to cross-boundary forest management between the Federal Government and non-Federal partners. Catastrophic wildfires do not respect manmade boundaries. They burn across a patchwork of Federal, State, Tribal, local, and private lands, wreaking havoc all along the way. Confronting our Nation's forest health and wildfire crisis requires an all-hands-on-deck approach with stronger coordination and collaboration across all jurisdictions. Tools like Good Neighbor Authority and Shared Stewardship have successfully allowed non-Federal partners to work with Federal agencies to carry out cross-boundary treatments to restore forest health and mitigate wildfire threats. Recently, the Trump administration signed a new Shared Stewardship agreement with Montana to treat up to 200,000 acres of fire-prone, overgrown forest. Just last week, another Shared Stewardship agreement was signed between the Forest Service and South Dakota, which will allow more fuels reduction treatments on South Dakota's nearly 2 million acres of forest land. This type of proactive collaboration is exactly what is needed, especially as we approach the height of what some are anticipating will be one of the worst wildfire years on record. However, more can be done to remove barriers that limit cross-boundary efforts, improve coordination, and reduce fragmentation and duplication across programs. H.R. 3922 will help address these challenges by directing the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of wildfire mitigation efforts across Federal and non-Federal lands. This legislation requires an examination of Federal programs, rules, and authorities to determine which policies are supporting cross- boundary efforts and which are inhibiting them. The [[Page H3768]] study will also identify necessary changes to improve and increase wildfire mitigation efforts. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3922, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC, May 26, 2026. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual understanding regarding H.R. 3922, the ``Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act.'' Thank you for collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our jurisdiction. The Committee on Agriculture will forgo any further consideration of this bill. However, by forgoing consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over any subject matter contained in this or similar legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you support such a request. We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 3922 and request a copy of our letters on this matter be published in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration. Sincerely, Glenn ``GT'' Thompson, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, May 26, 2026. Hon. Glenn Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Thompson: I write regarding H.R. 3922, the ``Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act,'' which was ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources on February 11, 2026. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture and appreciate your willingness to forgo further consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Agriculture will not formally consider H.R. 3922 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained therein. I am pleased to support your request to name members of the Committee on Agriculture to any conference committee to consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill and will include such letters in the committee report on H.R. 3922. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation. Sincerely, Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources. Ms. STANSBURY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act, sponsored by Mr. Joe Neguse, would direct the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, to study the existing Federal programs, rules, and authorities that either enable or inhibit cross-boundary wildfire mitigation. As we all know, wildfires do not respect property lines or jurisdictional boundaries. Yet, our mitigation efforts are too often hindered by the complex borders between Federal, State, local, and Tribal lands. This bill takes direct aim at this problem by answering recommendation 24 from the bipartisan Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission report. We need to know what is working and what is standing in the way. By identifying these gaps, we can improve collaboration, ensure all levels of government have better access to mitigation and funding, and build far more effective wildfire strategies. Ultimately, this legislation will enhance our capacity to manage these crises, reduce the frequency and severity of Referenced legislation: HR3922, HR3922