Bills · HR 956
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 956Aviation and airportsForests, forestry, trees
Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025
INTRO FEB 4· LAST ACTION MAR 7
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
17BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- 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 wildfires are a growing problem across many parts of the U.S., becoming more frequent and intense. Aerial firefighting is a critical tool for managing these blazes, especially in hard-to-reach areas. By reauthorizing and clarifying the program that allows the Department of Defense to sell surplus aircraft, this bill aims to ensure that agencies and companies have a continuous supply of suitable equipment to combat these fires.
If this bill becomes law, it provides a stable, ten-year window for acquiring these essential assets, potentially leading to a more robust and better-equipped aerial firefighting fleet nationwide, which could improve response times and effectiveness. If it does not become law, the existing authority to sell these aircraft for wildfire suppression would expire, potentially making it harder or more expensive for firefighting organizations to obtain needed large aircraft, which could hinder efforts to control future wildfires.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Reauthorizes the Department of Defense (DoD) to sell surplus aircraft and parts for wildfire suppression.
This ensures that a pathway remains open for firefighting entities to acquire potentially critical aerial assets from the military.
PROVISION 02
Establishes a new ten-year period for this authority, from October 1, 2025, to October 1, 2035.
This provides a clear and extended timeframe for the program, allowing for long-term planning for aerial firefighting resources.
PROVISION 03
Clarifies that aircraft sold under this authority can be used to drop 'water' in addition to 'fire retardant' for wildfire suppression.
This expands the operational flexibility of these aircraft, acknowledging the common use of water in firefighting efforts.
PROVISION 04
Explicitly states that aircraft sold under this program may only be used for providing aircraft services specifically for wildfire suppression purposes.
This ensures that the surplus military assets are dedicated solely to their intended use of fighting wildfires.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 17
R· Washington
YRS IN OFFICE
11
BILLS LED
29
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 94%
DEM 8 REP 9 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSMAR 7
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
FEB 4
Introduced in House
FEB 4
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Agriculture, 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 956
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 4, 2025
Last actionMar 7, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 4, 2025
House BillHR 956Aviation and airportsForests, forestry, trees
Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025
INTRODUCED FEB 4, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 7, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
17
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
