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S 4887

Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by John Curtis and 3 co-sponsors

Establishes a competitive grant program to fund transportation and processing of hazardous fuels from forest management to reduce wildfire risk and boost forest products infrastruc

Introduced in Senate
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Bill Summary · S 4887

Overview

  • Bill: S. 4887, Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Act of 2026
  • Purpose: Direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a grant program to support the transportation of hazardous fuels resulting from forest management activities, with the aim of reducing wildfire risk and improving forests and related infrastructure.
  • Introduced in the 119th Congress on June 24, 2026. Primary sponsors include Senators Kelly, Curtis, Luján, Hyde-Smith, and Schiff.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Create a competitive grant program to incentivize the removal and transport of material generated by hazardous fuels management activities conducted on National Forest System land.
  • Encourage efficient, cost-effective transport and utilization of forest products by funding transportation-related costs and related activities.
  • Prioritize projects that reduce wildfire risk in high-priority firesheds and promote broader forest products infrastructure and utilization.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Definitions (Section 2(a)):

    • Eligible Recipient: For-profit entities, nonprofit organizations, States, units of local government, Indian Tribes, and institutions of higher education.
    • Fireshed: A landscape-scale area delineated to represent similar exposure to wildfire.
    • Hazardous Fuels Management Activity: Vegetation management on National Forest System land to reduce wildfire risk (includes thinning, mastication, timber harvest, grazing, removal of downed/damaged timber from natural disasters, and combinations thereof).
    • Indian Tribe, National Forest System, Secretary, State: Standard definitions aligned with federal forestry and land management statutes.

  • Hazardous Fuels Transportation Grants (Section 2(b)):

    • Establishment and Purpose: Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary must establish a program to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible recipients. Grants support removal and transport of material from hazardous fuels management activities contracted with the Forest Service.
    • Application: Grants require an application detailing the project, estimated cost, grant utilization, and justification for grant assistance (e.g., why material would not be utilized without the grant).

  • Eligible Uses of Grants (Section 2(c)):

    • Transportation of byproducts (roundwood, chips, biomass, etc.).
    • Costs for woodyards, loading facilities, scales, and chipping.
    • Purchasing, modifying, or leasing equipment to facilitate transport (including processing equipment to improve transport readiness).
    • Maintenance of equipment used for transport.
    • Workforce development, training and certifications (including partnerships with Indian Tribes).
    • Other Secretary-approved expenses necessary for transporting hazardous fuels.

  • Ineligible Uses (Section 2(d)):

    • Construction or capital improvements (including processing facilities).
    • Stumpage or timber purchases.
    • Other Secretary-designated ineligible expenses.

  • Prioritization Criteria (Section 2(e)):
    The Secretary must prioritize grants that:

    • Treat hazardous fuels in high-risk firesheds.
    • Maximize acres treated.
    • Maximize volume of hazardous fuels transported.
    • Maximize retention/aftermath of forest products infrastructure.
    • Develop or expand wood processing facilities.
    • Increase long-term utilization of forest products.
    • Support projects tied to Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program or Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership.
    • Remove material using mechanisms like Good Neighbor Authority, Stewardship contracting, self-determination contracts, or Tribal Forest Protection Act agreements.

  • Funding and Cost-Sharing (Section 2(f)):

    • Authorization: $25 million per fiscal year from 2027 through 2031.
    • Grant caps and equipment spending:
    • No more than $3 million per grant in a single fiscal year.
    • No more than $250,000 of a grant may be used for purchasing equipment in a single fiscal year.
    • Cost-Share:
    • General: Grants may cover up to 75% of project costs.
    • Indian Tribes: Tribes may receive up to 90% of project costs.

Who Is Affected

  • Eligible recipients include a broad set of entities: for-profit and nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, Indian Tribes, and higher education institutions.
  • Projects involve National Forest System lands and require coordination with Forest Service activities.
  • Tribal engagement is explicitly encouraged, with higher cost-share support for Indian Tribes.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Implementation Timeline: Program to be established within 180 days after enactment.
  • Funding Cycle: Authorized funding of $25 million annually for 2027–2031, subject to appropriations.
  • Grant Process: Competitive grant process with defined application requirements and prioritization criteria.
  • Oversight and Administration: The Secretary of Agriculture (through the Forest Service) administers the program, defines eligible uses, sets priorities, and determines ineligible costs.

Potential Impact

  • Could accelerate removal and transport of hazardous fuels, reducing wildfire risks in high-priority areas.
  • Encourages development of forest-product infrastructure and broader utilization of byproducts (biomass, chips, roundwood).
  • Supports workforce training and tribal partnerships, potentially strengthening local economies and traditional practices.
  • Sets clear funding limits to balance program scale and prevent overcommitment, with higher leverage for tribal partners.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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