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Bill > SCR45


NJ SCR45

NJ SCR45
Urges Congress to pass "Fix Our Forests Act."


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This resolution urges Congress to pass the "Fix Our Forests Act." On average, 1,500 wildfires damage or destroy 7,000 acres of New Jersey's forests each year. In addition to damaging the State's forests and wildlife habitats, wildfires also threaten homes and businesses and jeopardize the health and wellbeing of people who live or recreate within or near the State's forests. The considerable number of hot, dry, or windy days that New Jersey has been experiencing increases the likelihood of wildfires. As the most densely populated state in the country, New Jersey residents are increasingly at risk of being near a wildfire. The "Fix Our Forests Act," currently pending in the United States Congress would create an interagency Fireshed Center to use data to assess and predict wildfire risk to help inform wildfire reduction activities. A data-driven approach to assessing wildfire risk could help this State make strategic decisions about land management practices and take actions that are most likely to decrease the risk of wildfires. Forest fire management techniques vary broadly and can include using prescribed fires to reduce brush that fuels wildfires, thinning the number of trees through accepted forest management practices, minimizing the spread of diseases and insects, and building resilience in at-risk communities. The "Fix Our Forests Act" would facilitate environmental reviews for accepted forest management practices, limit litigation involving fireshed management projects, promote livestock grazing in forests, require a study on pine beetle infestations, and promote strategies to strengthen the domestic seed supply.

AI Summary

This concurrent resolution urges Congress to pass the "Fix Our Forests Act," a proposed law aimed at reducing wildfire risks in New Jersey, which experiences about 1,500 wildfires annually that damage thousands of acres and threaten homes, businesses, and public health, especially given the state's high population density and increasing hot, dry, or windy weather conditions. The "Fix Our Forests Act" would establish an interagency Fireshed Center to use data for assessing and predicting wildfire risks, informing land management strategies like prescribed burns and tree thinning, and supporting community resilience. The act would also streamline environmental reviews for forest management projects, limit related lawsuits, encourage livestock grazing, mandate a study on pine beetle infestations, and promote a stronger domestic seed supply to help mitigate wildfire damage and improve forest health.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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