Keith Lusher 11.06.25
A bipartisan bill aimed at improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk has cleared a major hurdle in Congress. The Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA) advanced out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on October 21 by a vote of 18 to 5, setting the stage for a full Senate debate in the weeks ahead.
The legislation, sponsored by Senators John Curtis (R-UT), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Alex Padilla (D-CA), seeks to give the U.S. Forest Service new tools to manage, restore, and enhance public lands. It builds on several recent forestry reforms and reflects a growing bipartisan effort to address catastrophic wildfire and habitat loss across the country.
The bill expands the Good Neighbor Authority, streamlines environmental reviews, and removes duplicative procedural requirements that have slowed forest management in recent years. It also supports reforestation research, nursery capacity, and seed collection to help accelerate tree planting after wildfires and other disturbances.
“The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation strongly supports the passage of the Fix Our Forests Act to improve wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire,” said RMEF President and CEO Kyle Weaver in a statement. “This vital policy reform supports responsible management of our forests, sagebrush, and grasslands by expediting and streamlining the review of forest management projects, strengthening the Good Neighbor Authority, and reducing needless litigation.”
Weaver added that the measure would protect both people and wildlife by promoting proactive forest management that benefits elk, mule deer, and other big-game species.
Prior to the committee vote, the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), a coalition representing dozens of hunting and conservation organizations, sent a letter of support to lawmakers urging swift passage of the bill. The group praised provisions that streamline forest operations, establish accountability within land agencies, and limit delays caused by litigation.
Signatories to the letter included organizations such as the Boone and Crockett Club, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Safari Club International, and the National Deer Association. The coalition said the bill would “facilitate a new era in forest management” by allowing the Forest Service to respond more effectively to wildfire threats while maintaining healthy habitats for wildlife.
The Fix Our Forests Act mirrors a version already approved by the House in January by a vote of 279 to 141. If passed by the full Senate, differences between the two versions would be resolved in a conference committee before the final bill is sent to the president’s desk.
Lawmakers and conservationists point out that the United States is facing unprecedented forest challenges, from overgrown stands that fuel massive wildfires to insect infestations and declining rural economies. The Bipartisan Policy Center noted that the Senate bill incorporates many of its previous recommendations for coordinated reforestation research, new market development for low-value timber, and expanded cross-boundary wildfire mitigation efforts.
If enacted, the Fix Our Forests Act would represent one of the most comprehensive forestry reforms in decades. It would add to a growing list of recent legislative milestones including the 2018 Farm Bill, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, all of which included new resources for forest health and wildfire mitigation.
There is no word yet on when the full Senate will take up the bill, but it will require at least 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Conservation groups are urging hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts to contact their senators and voice support.
For organizations like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the many members of the AWCP, the Fix Our Forests Act represents more than policy reform. It is a chance to secure the long-term health of America’s forests and the wildlife that depend on them.
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