H.R. 598House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

FIR Act

Introduced January 21, 2025

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 3:26 AM UTC

The Forest Information Reform (FIR) Act changes federal land‑management law to stop the requirement for additional Endangered Species Act consultations when a land plan has already been approved. It applies to both Forest Service plans and Bureau of Land Management plans, and only exempts re‑consultation when a new species is listed, critical habitat is designated, or new data reveals previously unconsidered impacts. The bill affects the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior who oversee these plans.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act so the Secretary of Agriculture does not have to restart Endangered Species Act consultation on a Forest Service land management plan if a new species is listed, critical habitat is designated, or new information shows impacts that were not previously considered.
  • Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to similarly relieve the Secretary of the Interior from having to restart ESA consultation on a Bureau of Land Management land‑use plan under the same circumstances.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.

February 28, 2025

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 21, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

January 21, 2025

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.

February 28, 2025

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 21, 2025

I

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 598

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 21, 2025

Mr. Zinke (for himself and Mr. Newhouse) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to provide that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior are not required to reinitiate consultation on a land management plan or land use plan under certain circumstances, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Forest Information Reform Act or as the FIR Act.

2.

No additional consultation required

(a)

Forest Service plans

Section 6(d)(2) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604(d)(2)) is amended to read as follows:

(2)

No additional consultation required under certain circumstances

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not be required to reinitiate consultation under section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)) or section 402.16 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), on a land management plan approved, amended, or revised under this section when—

(A)

a new species is listed or critical habitat is designated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or

(B)

new information reveals effects of the land management plan that may affect a species listed or critical habitat designated under that Act in a manner or to an extent not previously considered.

.

(b)

Bureau of Land Management plans

Section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(g)

No additional consultation required under certain circumstances

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not be required to reinitiate consultation under section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)) or section 402.16 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), on a land use plan approved, amended, or revised under this section when—

(1)

a new species is listed or critical habitat is designated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or

(2)

new information reveals effects of the land use plan that may affect a species listed or critical habitat designated under that Act in a manner or to an extent not previously considered.

.