What does Preamble of TORCH Act do?

This bill aims to improve the ability of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to carry out forest management activities. The goal is to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Natural Resources.

What does UTILIZING TIMBER SALES ON NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND FOR of TORCH Act do?

This section amends Section 14 of the National Forest Management Act of 1976. The monetary limit in subsection (d) is increased from $10,000 to $50,000. A new subsection (j) is added, allowing the Secretary to dispose of trees or forest products on National Forest System land in response to extreme risks. These extreme risks include catastrophic wildfire, insect and disease outbreak, wind, hurricane, flood, or drought.

What does UTILIZING GRAZING FOR WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION. of TORCH Act do?

The Secretary of Agriculture must develop a strategy to increase livestock grazing for wildfire risk reduction. The strategy includes utilizing permitted grazing on vacant allotments during drought or disasters. Targeted grazing and temporary permits will be used for fuels reduction and invasive grass control. Grazing will be used for postfire recovery and restoration where appropriate.

What does AMENDMENTS TO THE HEALTHY FOREST RESTORATION ACT OF 2003 TO of TORCH Act do?

This section amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 It extends a provision until 2030 It increases the size of wildfire resilience projects to 10,000 acres

What does AMENDMENT TO FUEL BREAKS IN FORESTS AND OTHER WILDLAND of TORCH Act do?

This section amends Section 40806(d)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The amendment changes the acreage limit from 3,000 acres to 10,000 acres.

What does MODIFICATION OF THE TREATMENT OF CERTAIN REVENUE AND PAYMENTS of TORCH Act do?

This section modifies Section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014. The modifications include adding 'Indian tribe' to several instances where 'Governor' is mentioned in relation to good neighbor agreements. Paragraph (2)(C) of Section 8206(b) is revised to specify how funds received from timber sales under a good neighbor agreement should be used: first for authorized restoration services under the agreement, and secondarily for other agreements if funds remain. Paragraph (4) of Section 8206(b) is struck. The amendments apply to projects initiated under good neighbor agreements entered into on or after the date of enactment of this Act, or projects initiated after the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, even if the agreement was entered into before the current Act's enactment.

What does VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, FACILITY INSPECTION, AND OPERATION AND of TORCH Act do?

This section amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 It increases the distance for hazard tree removal from 10 to 50 feet from electric power lines Consultation with private landowners is required for hazard tree removal on their land A review and approval process is established for plans with automatic approval timelines

What does CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR ELECTRIC UTILITY LINES RIGHTS-OF- of TORCH Act do?

This section establishes a categorical exclusion from environmental assessments and impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for certain forest management activities. These activities include the development and approval of vegetation management plans submitted under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and the implementation of routine activities conducted under those plans. The exclusion does not apply to activities within the National Wilderness Preservation System or on National Forest System lands where vegetation removal is restricted by Congress. The categorical exclusion can be used by the 'Secretary concerned' (Secretary of Agriculture for National Forest System lands, Secretary of the Interior for public lands) starting on the date of enactment. The exclusion prohibits the establishment of permanent roads and requires decommissioning of temporary roads within three years of activity completion. Forest management activities conducted under this exclusion are not subject to certain laws, including section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

What does PERMITS AND AGREEMENTS WITH ELECTRICAL UTILITIES. of TORCH Act do?

The Secretary of Agriculture may permit cutting and removal of trees or vegetation near power lines without a separate timber sale. Permits or easements may require electrical utilities to provide proceeds from sold materials to the Secretary. The section does not require the sale of removed materials.

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TORCH Act

Q: What does CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR HIGH-PRIORITY HAZARD TREE of TORCH Act do?

This section establishes a categorical exclusion for high-priority hazard tree activities. The Secretary of Agriculture must develop this exclusion within one year of the Act's enactment, adhering to the National Environmental Policy Act. Projects utilizing this exclusion are limited to a maximum of 3,000 acres. A 'high-priority hazard tree' is defined as a tree posing a visible hazard due to deterioration or damage, likely to fail and cause injury or damage, and located near specific infrastructure on National Forest System lands. ‘High-priority hazard tree activities’ include pruning, felling, and disposal of such trees. Activities excluded from this categorical exclusion include those in wilderness areas, construction of permanent roads/trails, vegetation removal restrictions by Congress/proclamation, inconsistency with land management plans, and activities in inventoried roadless areas.

Last updated: 2/13/2026 · Introduced: 2/13/2026

Author: Mike Kennedy (R-UT)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill establishes categorical exclusions for certain forest management activities, including hazard tree removal and vegetation management near utility lines, streamlining environmental reviews for projects up to 10,000 acres.
It increases the monetary limit for timber sales from $10,000 to $50,000 and allows for the disposal of trees or forest products in response to extreme risks like wildfires or disease outbreaks.
The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a strategy for utilizing livestock grazing to reduce wildfire risk, including on vacant allotments and for post-fire recovery.
It amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to extend existing provisions and increase the acreage limit for wildfire resilience and collaborative restoration projects to 10,000 acres.
The bill modifies good neighbor agreements to include Indian tribes and clarifies how funds from timber sales under these agreements should be used for restoration services.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 168(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, categorical exclusion for high-priority hazard tree, and 4 more.

6 sections

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TITLE II

-GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY

1 section

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TITLE III

-ELECTRICAL UTILITY LINES RIGHTS-OF-WAYS AND RELATED

3 sections

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TITLE IV

-REFORM OF CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

2 sections

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