March 11 (legislative day, March 10), 2025
Mr. Kelly (for himself, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Gallego, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Van Hollen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
To ensure that the Forest Service is fully staffed, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Save Our Forests Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) National forest system
The term National Forest System has the meaning given the term in section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).
(2) Secretary
The term Secretary
means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(3) Service
The term Service
means the Forest Service.
Sec. 3. Forest Service staffing and personnel
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, using funds previously appropriated to the Secretary for such purposes, the Secretary shall—
(1)
increase staffing necessary to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of National Forest System land to meet the needs of present and future generations; and
(2)
reinstate any individuals who were involuntarily removed or otherwise terminated from employment with the Service during the period beginning on January 20, 2025, and ending on February 25, 2025.
Sec. 4. Continuation of authorized Forest Service projects
The Secretary shall have the authority to continue to carry out any Service project for which funds are authorized or appropriated under—
(1)
the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.);
(2)
the Great American Outdoors Act (Public Law 116–152; 134 Stat. 682);
(3)
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58; 135 Stat. 429); or
(4)
Public Law 117–169 (commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
) (136 Stat. 1818).