Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025

This bill makes it easier for farmers and private forest landowners to get help after disasters. It lets them receive part of the money upfront to fix, replace, or restore damaged land and equipment, instead of waiting until after the work is done. For farm conservation work, producers can get 75% of replacement costs upfront, or 50% of repair or restoration costs upfront. It also gives people more time by extending a key deadline from 60 days to 180 days.

The bill also clarifies that help can cover damage from wildfires that spread due to natural forces, even if the fire didn’t start naturally, and from wildfires caused by the federal government. Private forest owners can receive up to 75% of emergency restoration costs upfront, but if the funds aren’t used within 180 days, they must return the money within a reasonable time.

• Who is affected: Agricultural producers and owners of nonindustrial private forest land.
• What changes:
  • Upfront payments: 75% for replacements; 50% for repairs/restorations under farm conservation; up to 75% for forest restoration work.
  • More time: key deadline extended from 60 to 180 days; unused forest restoration funds must be returned after 180 days.
  • Wildfire coverage clarified to include certain human-caused and federally caused wildfires if damage spreads by natural causes.