Sponsors (2)
The bill directs modest, targeted federal funding and regulatory streamlining to expand nursery capacity and speed reforestation—boosting jobs and ecological resilience—while reallocating Trust Fund dollars, favoring established operators, and risking administrative strain or reduced domestic focus if not managed carefully.
State forestry agencies, Tribes, and qualified nurseries receive federal grants (funded up to $5M/year from the Reforestation Trust Fund) to expand nursery and seed-orchard capacity, improving availability of native seedlings and creating local jobs.
Shortened seed-collection permit timelines on National Forest System lands speed collection and allow restoration and wildfire recovery projects to proceed faster.
Improved information sharing and science-based seed sourcing increases the likelihood restored forests will be resilient to pests, drought, and climate change.
Using up to $5M/year from the Reforestation Trust Fund reduces funds available for other Trust Fund priorities or projects under 16 U.S.C. §1606a, potentially delaying or cutting other programs.
Expedited seed-collection permitting could increase administrative pressure on Forest Service staff and risk insufficient environmental review if timelines are shortened without additional resources.
Limiting grant competition to experienced private nurseries, States, and Tribes may exclude smaller or newer growers, concentrating funds among established operators and limiting broader small-business growth.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Directs USDA to strengthen nursery and seed-orchard capacity, create a competitive grant program within two years, and permit up to $5M/year from the Reforestation Trust Fund for eligible projects.
Introduced February 25, 2026 by Kim Schrier · Last progress February 25, 2026
Directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to strengthen the nation’s supply of tree seed and nursery stock by supporting nurseries and seed orchards, sharing information, providing technical and financial help (including internationally), and speeding up seed collection on National Forest lands. It creates a competitive grant program to fund nursery and seed-orchard development, equipment, quality control, workforce training, and related activities, with the program to be set up within two years. Authorizes the Secretary to use up to $5,000,000 per year from unspent balances in the Reforestation Trust Fund to support these activities and limits grant recipients to state forestry agencies, Indian Tribes, and qualified private nurseries.