Wildfire Coordination Act

Summary#

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to create a permanent Wildfire Science and Technology Advisory Board. The Board's job is to help turn wildfire research into practical tools and actions, set priorities for which research to operationalize, connect researchers and operators, and share findings and best practices. The Board is also asked to encourage inclusion of disciplines like public health, meteorology, and predictive modeling, and to consider both built and natural fire-prone environments. The Board must produce a report to several named congressional committees within 2 years describing its activities, progress on moving research into operations, barriers, and recommendations. The bill specifies Board membership (many Federal agency heads or designees plus up to 18 non-Federal members representing states, local and tribal governments, fire departments, researchers, public health experts, private-sector entities, and others), terms for non-Federal members (2 years), pay rules (non-Federal members serve without compensation but may receive travel expenses), staff and hiring authorities, and that Section 1013(a)(2) of title 5 does not apply to the Board. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 to carry out the Board and allows Federal Board members to use available agency funds for the Board's work.

What it means for you#

• If you are a wildfire researcher, the Board is intended to help move research results into operational use and connect you with agencies and practitioners. Non-Federal experts can be appointed to the Board.
• If you work for state, local, or tribal government, or in a fire department, the Board includes representatives from those groups and will provide newsletters, online portals, webinars, and workshops to share research and best practices.
• If you are in the private sector or a federally funded research center, the Board may partner with your organization to further operational work.
• The Board will report to several named congressional committees within 2 years, which may inform future research and operations decisions.

Expenses#

• The bill authorizes $10,000,000 to carry out this section, to remain available until expended.
• Non-Federal Board members serve without compensation but may receive travel expenses and per diem in accordance with federal travel rules.
• The Chair may hire staff and set pay up to the annual rate for level V of the Executive Schedule for those staff positions.
• Federal members of the Board may use funds available to their agencies for Board purposes as allowed by appropriations.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.