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H.R. 9534House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Wildfire Response Modernization Act

Sponsored by George WhitesidesRep. George Whitesides (D-CA)
Introduced June 29, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated July 6, 2026 at 1:43 PM UTC

The Wildfire Response Modernization Act directs the Air Force to buy commercial space‑based data to improve the military’s support for wildfire response across the United States. By working with the National Guard’s FireGuard program and U.S. Northern Command, the Act aims to protect military readiness, installations, and provide emergency assistance to civil authorities. The data can also be shared with state, local, and Tribal agencies to help them fight fires more effectively.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of the Air Force, through the Commercial Space Office, must purchase commercial satellite‑derived data and related products to help the Department of Defense and U.S. Northern Command’s wildfire mission.
  • Purchasing must be coordinated with the National Guard’s FireGuard program and the commander of U.S. Northern Command, and can only be done if funds are appropriated.
  • The Air Force may share the acquired satellite data and products with state, local, and Tribal governments to aid their firefighting and wildfire‑management efforts.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

June 29, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 29, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

June 29, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 29, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9534

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 29, 2026

Mr. Whitesides (for himself, Mr. Gooden, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Carbajal, and Mr. Crow) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of the Air Force to procure space-based commercial data and end products to support the efforts of the Department of Defense and the wildfire mission of the United States Northern Command.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Wildfire Response Modernization Act.

2.

Procurement of commercial space-based data to support wildfire resilience

(a)

Procurement

Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary of the Air Force, acting through the Commercial Space Office and in coordination with the FireGuard program of the National Guard and the Commander of the United States Northern Command, shall procure space-based commercial data and end products to support the efforts of the Department of Defense and the wildfire mission of the United States Northern Command by delivering timely, effective military support to the Federal Government and State, local, and Tribal governments to protect military readiness and installations, provide emergency military support to civil authorities, and conduct proactive wildland fire management.

(b)

Authorized sharing

The Secretary may share space-based commercial data and end products procured under subsection (a) with State, local, and Tribal governments to assist with firefighting efforts.