117 S950 IS: Save Our Forests Act of 2025 U.S. Senate 2025-03-11 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 950IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 11 (legislative day, March 10), 2025Mr. 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 ResourcesA BILLTo ensure that the Forest Service is fully staffed, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Save Our Forests Act of 2025.

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.

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.

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).