As legislation to reduce wildfire risk moves through the U.S. House of Representatives, the Big “I” has created a Q&A to address questions about the California wildfires and their impact on the overall insurance market.
Last Thursday, with California wildfires continuing to rage in the background, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 471, the “Fix Our Forests Act of 2025." This legislation passed with a bipartisan vote of 279-141, proving that the wildfire problem goes beyond political affiliations.
The bill was sponsored by Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-California). It aims to improve forest management, reduce wildfire risk and protect critical infrastructure through enhanced federal, state, tribal and local collaboration. It also seeks to eliminate legal and regulatory obstacles, streamline forest management projects and encourage active management to protect powerlines and other critical infrastructure.
Much of the bill was based on findings from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, which Congress formed in 2021 to tackle increasing wildfire threats and bring together representatives from federal agencies, local governments and the private sector. The Fix Our Forests Act aligns with the Commission's recommendations, focusing on reducing forest fuel loads, hardening infrastructure, promoting fire-resistant building standards and advancing scientific research to improve wildfire resiliency.
The Big “I," along with the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and Reinsurance Association of America, sent out a letter encouraging passage of the bill, and now encourages the U.S. Senate to introduce and pass companion legislation.
In addition to the passage of the Fix Our Forests Act, Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee Maxine Waters (D-California) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-California) introduced the “Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act" into the House, which would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study assessing the danger of wildfire and provide recommendations for federal action to stabilize markets and expand access to coverage.
Meanwhile, U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Chair Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) and House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill (R-Arkansas) have announced working groups and roundtables to examine wildfire insurance coverage, while expressing their support of the state regulatory system.
In response to many questions received about the California wildfires and their impact on the overall insurance market, the Big “I" government affairs team has created a Q&A to address the most frequently asked questions. Agents and brokers are encouraged to use this information when having discussions with policymakers and customers.
As any wildfire-related legislation makes its way through Congress, the Big “I" will continue to provide members with updates in the weekly News & Views e-newsletter.
Corey Miller is Big “I" director of federal government affairs.
