This bill allows the Forest Service to include in utility easements permission for electrical companies to cut and remove trees near power lines on Forest Service land without separate timber sales. Utilities must return sale proceeds minus transportation costs to the Forest Service.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill allows the Forest Service to include in utility easements permission for electrical companies to cut and remove trees near power lines on Forest Service land without separate timber sales. Utilities must return sale proceeds minus transportation costs to the Forest Service.
Last updated: 1/6/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill allows the Forest Service to expedite the removal of trees or other vegetation near electrical lines on its lands under certain circumstances. Specifically, the Forest Service may include in special use permits or easements provided to electrical utilities permission to cut, remove, and sell trees or other vegetation near electrical lines on such lands without a separate timber sale if the cutting or removal is consistent with (1) the applicable land and resource management plan, and (2) other applicable environmental laws.</p><p>A special use permit or easement that includes permission for cutting and removal of trees or vegetation must include a requirement that, if the applicable electrical utility sells any portion of the material removed under the permit or easement, the utility must provide to the Forest Service any proceeds received from the sale, less any transportation costs incurred in the sale.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Expedites tree removal near electrical lines on Forest Service land
Allows tree cutting within utility easements and permits
Eliminates need for separate timber sale process
Requires utilities to return sale proceeds to Forest Service
Reduces wildfire risk from trees near power lines
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Electrical utilities could more quickly clear vegetation around power lines on Forest Service lands, reducing wildfire ignition risk. The streamlined process removes bureaucratic delays while ensuring the government receives proceeds from any timber sold.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Related Subjects
Electric power generation and transmission
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Licensing and registrations
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
349, 119th Congress (2025). "Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-349