Values for America · Brief for congressional offices

To the office of U.S. Representative Joe Neguse

Re: HR 3922 (119th Congress), Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act · Latest action (2026-06-15): Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 435.
VFA SI Solution #140 · published 2026-06-20 · https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/140
Office of record (Congress.gov): 2400 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC · (202) 225-2161

Cross-Boundary Wildfire Mitigation Partnership Act

The measure, as described from the official record: To study and make recommendations for simplifying wildfire mitigation across different land ownership boundaries, involving federal, state, local, and tribal entities.

The proposal

This Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements with states, local governments, and Indian tribes for the purpose of conducting wildfire mitigation activities across land ownership boundaries. Mitigation activities include mechanical thinning, prescribed burns, and creation of fuel breaks. The Secretaries shall establish a grant program to fund up to 75% of the cost of such activities on non-federal lands, with the remaining 25% provided by the non-federal partner. Grants are conditioned on the adoption of state-approved wildfire risk reduction plans that meet minimum federal standards for ecological soundness and public safety. The Act does not authorize federal land management agencies to conduct activities on non-federal lands without the written consent of the landowner. The Act authorizes $50 million per year for five years, drawn from the general fund. The Government Accountability Office shall report annually on the effectiveness and fiscal efficiency of the program. The Act sunsets after five years unless reauthorized by Congress.

Operative provisions (VFA proposal)

funding source: General fund appropriation
funding amount: $50 million per year for five years
sunset years: 5 years
oversight body: Government Accountability Office
enforcement mechanism: Grant compliance audits; withholding of future funds for non-compliance; no federal action on non-federal land without landowner consent
effective date: 90 days after enactment

Constitutional basis

Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 (General Welfare Clause – spending for public safety)
Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (Commerce Clause – wildfire impacts interstate commerce)
Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 (Property Clause – management of federal lands)
Tenth Amendment (reserving non-federal land regulation to states)

Concerns with the measure as written:

The original bill is a study only and raises no constitutional concerns. The alternative below includes implementation provisions that must respect the Tenth Amendment and state primacy in land use regulation.

Why both sides can back it (VFA’s assessment)

Democratic priorities honored: funding for climate resilience, tribal consultation requirements, environmental safeguards in minimum standards. Republican priorities honored: state and local consent requirement, limited federal role, sunset provision, cost cap, no unfunded mandates.

Values for America is a nonpartisan, constitution-first SI think tank. This brief is informational. It is a policy proposal, not law, and it does not support or oppose any candidate or party. Full analysis and sources: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/140 · Methodology: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/methodology