Bill
HR 1045
Adds Utah as a host site for the Southwest Ecological Restoration Institute, expanding wildfire research and collaboration with Utah agencies, universities.
Note: The materials provided describe two different measures that share the identifier “H.R. 1045.” One is a federal bill introduced in the U.S. House (the “Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025”); the other is an Arkansas state House Resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program. Summaries of both follow.
Status: Introduced Feb 6, 2025; reported favorably by House Committee on Natural Resources (H. Rept. 119-280, Part I); placed on Union Calendar (Calendar No. 236); companion S.457 in Senate.
Purpose and intent
- To amend the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2004 (16 U.S.C. 6704) to require establishment of an additional Southwest Ecological Restoration Institute (SWERI) location in the State of Utah.
Key provisions
- Amends section 5(b)(2) of the 2004 Act to add “the State of Utah” to the list of states eligible for a SWERI center (joining Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado).
- Conforming amendment to section 5(e)(1) to change wording from “and Colorado” to “Colorado, and Utah.”
- Short title: “Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025.”
Who is affected / expected impact
- Federal level: modifies an existing federal program (SWERI) administered under the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act.
- State/academic partners: Utah higher-education institution(s) would be eligible to host a SWERI center and partner with federal, state, tribal, and local land managers.
- Natural resource management: intended to expand research capacity on wildfire risk reduction, adaptive ecosystem/forest management, fuel reduction, and watershed restoration in Utah.
- No specific funding amounts or appropriation language are included in the bill text; implementation would depend on subsequent appropriations and agency actions.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Referred to House Natural Resources and Agriculture committees; Subcommittee hearings held (June 10, 2025); reported favorably July 23, 2025.
- Committee report indicates a CBO cost estimate was requested but not yet available at time of report.
- The bill does not identify earmarks or duplicative federal programs.
Status: Filed Feb 14, 2025; read and adopted (dates shown: Apr 7 and Jun 1, 2025).
Purpose and intent
- A state House resolution honoring and commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program (originating with the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, expanded by Wallop-Breaux in 1984).
Key provisions
- Recognizes contributions of anglers, the sportfishing industry, boaters, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and state fish & wildlife agencies in funding and restoring fish and aquatic resources.
- Notes that excise taxes on fishing equipment and fuel are largely returned to states for fisheries conservation and access.
- Calls for copies of the resolution to be provided to the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas congressional offices, and media.
Who is affected / impact
- Largely symbolic: recognizes historic conservation funding achievements and raises public awareness; no regulatory or funding effect.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Sponsored by state representatives (Wardlaw, Pearce) and adopted by the Arkansas House as a memorial/congratulatory resolution.
If you want, I can:
- Produce a one-page brief focused only on the federal bill’s legal text and likely administrative steps to stand up a SWERI in Utah; or
- Provide links to the statutory sections amended (16 U.S.C. 6704) and to the companion Senate bill (S.457).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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