Bills · HR 1655
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1655Historic sites and heritage areasEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, research
Wildfire Communications Resiliency Act
INTRO FEB 27· LAST ACTION JUN 10
READING
4MIN
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- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a critical issue that often arises after devastating wildfires: the loss of communication services. When cell towers or internet cables are destroyed, it severely hinders emergency response efforts, prevents people from contacting loved ones, and disrupts daily life and business recovery. By removing certain environmental and historical review requirements, the bill aims to shorten the time it takes to restore these vital services.
If this bill becomes law, communities could see their communication infrastructure up and running faster after a wildfire, which is crucial for safety, coordination, and recovery. If it doesn't pass, rebuilding efforts would continue under current regulations, potentially leading to longer delays in restoring communication services due to the time needed for environmental and historical assessments.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Exempts specific wildfire-related communications projects from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews.
This would allow for faster construction or repair of communication facilities by bypassing lengthy environmental assessment processes.
PROVISION 02
Exempts these same projects from reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
This provision aims to reduce delays by eliminating the need to assess impacts on historical sites during rebuilding efforts.
PROVISION 03
Defines "covered project" as those carried out within five years of a declared wildfire-related disaster or emergency, within the affected area, and for replacing damaged facilities or making improvements for recovery/mitigation.
This sets clear boundaries for when these exemptions apply, ensuring they are specific to immediate wildfire recovery and resilience efforts.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Oregon
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
15
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTSJUN 10
Subcommittee Hearings Held
JUN 3
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
FEB 27
Introduced in House
FEB 27
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 1655
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 27, 2025
Last actionJun 10, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 27, 2025
House BillHR 1655Historic sites and heritage areasEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, research
Wildfire Communications Resiliency Act
INTRODUCED FEB 27, 2025· LAST ACTION JUN 10, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
