Summary

Authorizes a Forest Service pilot to use up to $250 million in conservation finance agreements to leverage private and non‑Federal capital for large landscape ecological restoration projects on and adjacent to National Forest lands, sets cost‑share rules and reporting requirements, and limits single‑agreement obligations. Creates a DOE program to fund energy resilience projects for critical facilities and raises weatherization cost limits and adds fire‑resistant materials and wildfire planning requirements for assisted housing. Establishes Western prescribed‑fire centers and new grant programs for workforce development and community capacity, including a $50 million authorization for disadvantaged‑community stewardship grants and various training and research initiatives.

• Creates a Forest Service pilot to use up to $250M in conservation finance agreements to leverage private capital for large landscape restoration.
• Limits aggregate pilot obligations to $250M over 10 years and no more than $50M per agreement; includes rules on cancellation liabilities and reporting.
• Authorizes $100M at DOE for energy resilience projects at critical facilities and raises weatherization per‑unit cost caps while adding fire‑resistant materials and planning requirements.
• Directs expedited permitting and expanded use of detection technology and public wildland fire data sharing where practicable.
• Establishes Western prescribed‑fire centers at colleges, a workforce development grant program, and a $50M community stewardship grant program for disadvantaged communities.
• Community grants may fund up to 100% of projects, include Tribal set‑asides, and support multi‑year, small awards (up to $50,000/year).
• Non‑Federal cost share rules require at least 40% non‑Federal implementation share with the Forest Service able to reimburse part of that share (higher reimbursement allowed for low‑income community projects).
• Authorities allow use of stewardship contracting and restrict reimbursement for lender interest charges.
• Requires multi‑year reporting to Congress to evaluate investment leveraged, wildfire risk reduction, workforce effects, and barriers to scaling the pilot.