01 — The Text
What.
- Increases upfront emergency payments to farmers and forest owners hit by natural disasters from 25% to 50-75% of repair costs.
- Expands which disasters qualify: now includes wildfires caused by humans or federal government if spread by natural causes.
- Allows forest landowners to get advance payments for the first time under the Emergency Forest Restoration Program.
- Requires recipients to spend advance funds within 180 days of receiving them.
02 — The Stakes
So what?
- Farmers and rural landowners recover faster after fires, floods, or storms without waiting for full reimbursement.
- Covers more wildfire damage scenarios, potentially aiding communities affected by federally-managed land fires.
- Tradeoff: faster payouts mean tighter spending deadlines (180 days) and higher upfront federal costs.
- Small farms and private forest owners benefit most; larger agribusinesses already had more resources to absorb disaster losses.
03 — The Path
Now what?
- House passed it 395-10 on April 14, 2026. Now in Senate; needs Senate approval before going to president.
- Contact your senator to express support or concern about the 180-day spending requirement or cost implications.
- Expected timeline: Senate committee review, then floor vote. No guaranteed passage date yet.
Legislative History
Actions.
- Apr 15, 2026 — Received in the Senate.
- Apr 14, 2026 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Apr 14, 2026 — On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 10 (Roll no. 109). (text: CR H2844)
- Apr 14, 2026 — Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 10 (Roll no. 109). (text: CR H2844)
- Apr 14, 2026 — Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2874)
- Apr 14, 2026 — At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- Apr 14, 2026 — DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1011.
- Apr 14, 2026 — Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2844-2846)