Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (22 Jul 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
What this bill does
The Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026 would amend the Clean Air Act's definition of "renewable biomass" as used in the federal renewable fuel standard program. Specifically, it broadens the categories of forest and wood materials that qualify as renewable biomass, expanding eligibility to include certain wood and paper manufacturing residuals, and materials such as trees, shrubs, slash, and storm debris removed from non-federal forestland meeting certain certification or tax-classification criteria, from National Forest System or other federal public lands where officials certify the material comes from fuel reduction, thinning, or restoration work, and from tribal lands. It also adds vegetation cleared for defensible space around structures or as part of wildfire risk reduction in the wildland-urban interface, and sets out certification and attestation procedures for these determinations.
The bill primarily affects producers of renewable fuels who may generate credits under the renewable fuel standard, along with forest landowners (private, tribal, and public), timber and wood products companies, and federal land management agencies (the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management) that would issue certifications. By expanding what counts as qualifying biomass, the bill could affect market incentives for removing wood material tied to wildfire mitigation and forest management activities.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 22, 2026, by Senator Merkley with several cosponsors from both parties, and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. It has not yet been the subject of committee action, and would need to pass the Senate, the House, and be signed into law before taking effect.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
22 Jul 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Common questions
- What does S. 5087 do?
- The Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026 would amend the Clean Air Act's definition of "renewable biomass" as used in the federal renewable fuel standard program. Specifically, it broadens the categories of forest and wood materials that qualify as renewable biomass, expanding eligibility to include certain wood and paper manufacturing residuals, and materials such as trees, shrubs, slash, and storm debris removed from non-federal forestland meeting certain certification or tax-classification criteria, from National Forest System or other federal public lands where officials certify the material comes from fuel reduction, thinning, or restoration work, and from tribal lands. It also adds vegetation cleared for defensible space around structures or as part of wildfire risk reduction in the wildland-urban interface, and sets out certification and attestation procedures for these determinations. The bill primarily affects producers of renewable fuels who may generate credits under the renewable fuel standard, along with forest landowners (private, tribal, and public), timber and wood products companies, and federal land management agencies (the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management) that would issue certifications. By expanding what counts as qualifying biomass, the bill could affect market incentives for removing wood material tied to wildfire mitigation and forest management activities. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 22, 2026, by Senator Merkley with several cosponsors from both parties, and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. It has not yet been the subject of committee action, and would need to pass the Senate, the House, and be signed into law before taking effect.
- Has S. 5087 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5087. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5087?
- S. 5087 was sponsored by Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR), with 8 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5087?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (22 Jul 2026).
Related bills in Public Lands and Natural Resources
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
Health Forests Incentives Act of 2026
Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026
Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act
More bills from Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Car Privacy Rights Act of 2026
Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act of 2026
Stop Corrupt Gratuities Act
American Promise Mortgage Act
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