Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB7362

Introduced
2/15/24  
Refer
2/15/24  
Refer
8/30/24  

Caption

SPACE Act of 2024 Satellites Preventing Agricultural Crises and Emergencies Act of 2024

Impact

If enacted, HB7362 could significantly impact state laws pertaining to fire management and agricultural practices. By promoting the use of satellite data and advanced technologies in wildland fire research, the bill emphasizes a scientific approach to disaster preparedness. This could help mitigate the impacts of wildland fires on agricultural land and support state efforts in fire control, potentially leading to safer environments for communities and farmers alike. Furthermore, the cooperative agreements sought in this bill may foster innovation in agricultural practices and improve federal support for fire management strategies.

Summary

House Bill 7362, officially titled the Satellites Preventing Agricultural Crises and Emergencies Act of 2024 (SPACE Act), aims to establish cooperative agreements for research on wildland fire sciences. The bill seeks to enhance the use of available satellite data for predicting, monitoring, and mitigating the risks associated with wildland fires. This initiative primarily involves collaboration with land-grant colleges and universities that possess the capacity for data collection and analysis in this field. By investing in advanced research and remote sensing technologies, the bill intends to improve understanding of fire behavior and enhance resource deployment during fire incidents.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB7362 include concerns about funding and the effectiveness of satellite data utilization. Critics may question whether sufficient resources and commitments will be allocated to truly benefit the agricultural community and enhance the predictive capabilities for wildfires. Moreover, some stakeholders might argue about the balance between federal oversight and local autonomy regarding fire management strategies, suggesting that reliance on satellite data could lead to a one-size-fits-all approach that might not account for local variations in fire behavior and agricultural needs.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

US SB453

Wildfire Intelligence Collaboration and Coordination Act of 2025

US SB5532

A bill to establish a Wildfire Intelligence Center, and for other purposes.

US SB1216

Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2023

US HB4353

Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2023

MD SB300

Natural Resources - Wildland Areas - Belt Woods Wildland

US HB3553

BRUSH Fires Act Building Resiliency and Understanding of Shrublands to Halt Fires Act

US HB8656

Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act of 2024

US HB482

Western Wildfire Support Act of 2023 This bill establishes activities to address wildfires. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to establish spatial fire management plans before the end of FY2026. The bill establishes accounts in the Treasury for addressing wildfires, a program to train and certify citizens who wish to be able to volunteer to assist USDA or Interior during a wildland fire incident, a program to award grants to eligible states or units of local government to acquire slip-on tank and pump units for a surge capacity of resources for fire suppression, the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize for the management of wildfire-related invasive species, and the Management of Wildfire-Related Invasive Species Technology Advisory Board. The bill also requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to reimburse a state or federal agency for the costs of wildfire suppression as a result of a fire caused by DOD activity, requires the Joint Fire Science Program to work with unmanned aircraft test ranges to carry out research and development of unmanned aircraft system fire applications, requires federal and state disaster preparedness programs to include postdisaster assistance, and authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide funding to a state agency to establish and operate a website to provide information relating to postfire recovery funding and resources to a community or an individual impacted by a wildland fire.