S. 3506

Post-Wildfire Environmental Emergency Assistance Act

Shown here: Introduced in Senate (2025-12-16)

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the use of fire management assistance grants for debris removal, and for other purposes.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Post-Wildfire Environmental Emergency Assistance Act”.

2. Fire management assistance

Section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking “and control” and inserting “control, and remediation”;

(2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and

(3) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:

(e) Debris removal
(1) In general
Whether or not a major disaster is declared, the President may provide assistance under this section to clear debris and wreckage from publicly and privately owned lands and waters resulting from a fire described in subsection (a).
(2) EPA assistance
In providing assistance to a State or local government for debris removal under this section involving hazardous waste identified or listed pursuant to section 3001(b) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6921(b)), a hazardous substance described or listed pursuant to sections 101 and 102 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601, 9602), or a hazardous substance described in section 302.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulation), the President may direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide, with or without reimbursement, the authorities and resources granted to the Environmental Protection Agency under Federal law (including personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and managerial, technical, and advisory services) to assist the State or local government with the debris removal.

2. Fire management assistance

Section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking “and control” and inserting “control, and remediation”;

(2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and

(3) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:

(e) Debris removal

(1) In general

Whether or not a major disaster is declared, the President may provide assistance under this section to clear debris and wreckage from publicly and privately owned lands and waters resulting from a fire described in subsection (a).

(2) EPA assistance

In providing assistance to a State or local government for debris removal under this section involving hazardous waste identified or listed pursuant to section 3001(b) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6921(b)), a hazardous substance described or listed pursuant to sections 101 and 102 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601, 9602), or a hazardous substance described in section 302.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulation), the President may direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide, with or without reimbursement, the authorities and resources granted to the Environmental Protection Agency under Federal law (including personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and managerial, technical, and advisory services) to assist the State or local government with the debris removal.