HR 1213 — Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025

Summary

Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025This bill directs the Forest Service to expand and update its Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. Under the existing program, the Forest Service collects, analyzes, and reports on information about the condition of forest resources in the United States, such as data concerning wildfires or other forest management issues.The bill directs FIA to include forest carbon in its inventory. The bill also requires FIA's strategic plan to include a detailed description of the organization and procedures necessary to (1) understand and report on changes in land cover and use, and (2) evaluate carbon-related data variables.FIA must update the strategic plan within six months and every five years thereafter. Among other items, the first update must include (1) a plan to implement nationally consistent data collection protocols and procedures; and (2) a plan to expand current data collection, further integrate remote sensing technology, or both. FIA must also prepare and publish a compilation of certain forest statistics every two years.Additionally, the bill requires FIA to continue (1) the Timber Products Output survey, and (2) the National Woodland Owner Survey.To provide data consistency, FIA must include a clear definition of forest when reporting data.Finally, FIA (1) must also establish an office, a data platform, or both to process and respond to complex data requests submitted by external organizations; and (2) may impose fees on the organizations submitting the requests.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html February 11, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing law to enhance the forest inventory and analysis program by adding new data collection methods and improving reporting on forest resources, including carbon data.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)(1)

  their resources → the resources of those forests, including forest carbon,

  This change specifies that forest resources include forest carbon.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)(1)

  In compliance → (A) In general.--In compliance

  This change rephrases a part of the provision for clarity and structure.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)(1)

  (B) Additional methods.--Under the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out, as a data collection method-- (i) a timber products output study; and (ii) a national woodland owner survey.

  This adds new data collection methods that the Secretary must implement.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)(3)(C)

  including with respect to available forest carbon data,

  This change emphasizes the inclusion of forest carbon data in existing reports.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)(4)

  The standards → (B) Inclusions.--The standards described in subparagraph (A)

  This refines the language concerning the standards used for reporting.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)(4)

  (4) National standards and definitions.--To ensure → (4) National consistency.-- (A) Standards and definitions.--To ensure

  This restructuring clarifies the intent of establishing national standards.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)(4)

  (C) Terminology.--The Secretary shall include a clear description of the definition of `forest' used for purposes of reporting data from inventories and analyses of forests and the resources of forests under this subsection with--

  This mandates a clear definition of 'forest' for data reporting purposes.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)(6)

  Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, → In accordance with paragraph (7),

  This change sets a new timeline for the Secretary to follow relative to strategic planning.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)(6)

  subparagraphs (D) and (E) → (D) the organization and procedures necessary to understand and report on changes in land cover and use; (E) the organization and procedures necessary to evaluate carbon-related data variables, including soil carbon, collected from forest inventory and analysis plots, timber products output studies, and national woodland owner surveys to ensure that carbon accounting information needs can be met;

  This replaces existing subparagraphs with expanded guidelines for evaluating land cover and carbon data.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)

  (7) Updates to strategic plan.-- (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall prepare an update to the strategic plan under paragraph (6) to include--

  This requires the Secretary to regularly update the strategic plan for forest inventory and analysis.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)

  (8) Accessibility.--The Secretary shall ensure that data collected under this subsection is-- (A) easily accessible to all public- and private-sector entities;

  This ensures broader access to data collected from forest inventory and analysis.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(e)

  (9) Biennial compilations.--Biennially, the Secretary shall prepare and make publicly available a compilation of national forest inventory and analysis forest statistics, which shall be similar to the tables contained in the Renewable Resource Assessments prepared under section 3(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601(a)).

  This mandates the Secretary to provide regular public reports on forest inventory statistics.

• 16 U.S.C. 1642(note)

  technologies → technologies, such as microwave, LiDAR, hyperspectral, and high-resolution remote sensing data for data collection, and machine learning for improved modeling,

  This updates the terminology to specify advanced technologies for data collection.

Action History

1. February 11, 2025

   Introduced in House

2. February 11, 2025

   Introduced in House

3. February 11, 2025

   Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Sponsors

• Kim Schrier · Primary
• Barry Moore · Cosponsor
• Andrea Salinas · Cosponsor

Subjects