PREPARE Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (16 Sep 2026): Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
What this bill does
S. 5293 would direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to establish protocols for prepositioning aerial firefighting resources ahead of early-season wildfires driven by fine fuels, such as grasses and light vegetation that dry out and become flammable earlier in the year than heavier forest fuels. The bill's full text has not yet been published, so the specific mechanics of these protocols — including any funding, staffing, aircraft, or timing requirements — are not yet known.
Because the two named agencies oversee most federal wildland firefighting (the Forest Service under Agriculture, and agencies such as the BLM and National Park Service under Interior), the bill would primarily affect federal wildfire suppression operations and the aerial assets used in them. It could also have downstream relevance for communities in fire-prone areas that rely on early aerial response, though the bill does not itself describe effects on those communities.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 6, 2026, by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and referred for committee consideration, which is the standard next step for a newly introduced Senate bill. It would need to be considered and approved by committee, then pass the full Senate and House, before it could be sent to the President. No further action has been recorded beyond introduction.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
16 Sep 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
Common questions
- What does S. 5293 do?
- S. 5293 would direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to establish protocols for prepositioning aerial firefighting resources ahead of early-season wildfires driven by fine fuels, such as grasses and light vegetation that dry out and become flammable earlier in the year than heavier forest fuels. The bill's full text has not yet been published, so the specific mechanics of these protocols — including any funding, staffing, aircraft, or timing requirements — are not yet known. Because the two named agencies oversee most federal wildland firefighting (the Forest Service under Agriculture, and agencies such as the BLM and National Park Service under Interior), the bill would primarily affect federal wildfire suppression operations and the aerial assets used in them. It could also have downstream relevance for communities in fire-prone areas that rely on early aerial response, though the bill does not itself describe effects on those communities. The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 6, 2026, by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and referred for committee consideration, which is the standard next step for a newly introduced Senate bill. It would need to be considered and approved by committee, then pass the full Senate and House, before it could be sent to the President. No further action has been recorded beyond introduction.
- Has S. 5293 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5293. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5293?
- S. 5293 was sponsored by Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE] (R-NE), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5293?
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. (16 Sep 2026).
Related bills in Public Lands and Natural Resources
Health Forests Incentives Act of 2026
Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026
Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act
Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act
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