US HB527

Secretary of the Interior, through the U.S. Geological Survey Director, must establish a competitive grant program within one year to monitor wildfires by satellite, awarding at least three grants to eligible entities

Grants fund public-private partnerships to purchase high-resolution satellite imaging capability (visible, near-infrared, shortwave infrared, thermal infrared, and radar) for detecting, assessing, responding to, and managing wildfires

Eligible entities include State foresters, emergency managers, or equivalent State officials who submit applications as specified by the Secretary

$20,000,000 authorized annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2028 to carry out the program

Secretary must submit a report to Congress by the end of the second fiscal year after enactment, detailing applications received, grant recipients, program impact on wildfire prevention, and recommendations for long-term establishment