[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 47 (Monday, March 16, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Curtis):
  S. 4103. A bill to improve the health and resiliency of giant 
sequoias, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to reintroduce the 
bipartisan and bicameral Save Our Sequoias Act, This bill would enhance 
interagency coordination, accelerate forest restoration efforts, and 
provide important resources to land managers to guard, sequoia trees 
from further destruction.
  Specifically this legislation, would, one, codify the Giant Sequoia 
Lands Coalition; two, require the Secretaries of the Interior and 
Agriculture to work with the coalition and other relevant stakeholders 
to develop and implement a strategy to enhance the reforestation and 
rehabilitation of giant sequoia groves; three, provide congressional 
support for the use of existing emergency authorities to expedite 
sequoia wildfire resiliency projects; four, allow the Forest Service 
and National Park Service to partner with States, Tribes, local 
governments, or private entities to conduct resiliency projects in and 
around giant sequoia groves; and five, establish a philanthropic fund 
through the National Park Foundation to promote the resiliency of giant 
sequoias.
  Giant sequoias, the world's largest trees, are found in roughly 70 
groves across 37,000 acres in California. Over the last century, giant 
sequoia groves have experienced a dangerous buildup of fuels, which, in 
combination with increasingly intense wildfires, has caused 
unparalleled destruction. In the last 2 years alone, there has been a 
nearly 20 percent loss of these iconic trees.
  For millennia, giant sequoia trees have been a hallmark of 
California's rich natural heritage. We must work collaboratively to 
protect these California icons from the threat of climate change and 
make sure they are preserved for generations to come.
  I want to thank the late Senator Feinstein for leading this effort 
during her time in the Senate. As a public lands champion and lover of 
California's natural landscape, she understood the need to protect our 
environment, and I am honored to continue this vital work.
  I also went to thank my colleague and friend Senator Curtis for 
coleading this effort with me in the Senate. Finally, I want to thank 
my California colleagues Representatives Fong and Peters, for leading 
this legislation in the House. I look forward to working with my 
colleagues to advance the Save Our Sequoias Act as quickly as possible.
                                 ______