Sponsors (2)
The bill would create federal wildfire-risk data that helps target mitigation and affordability programs for homeowners and governments, but it risks prompting costly regulatory or fiscal responses and imposes administrative burdens on agencies.
State and local policymakers would get improved federal data on wildfire risk to design targeted mitigation, mapping, and forest-management programs that can reduce wildfire losses and long-term costs.
Homeowners and small-business owners would gain a clearer federal picture of wildfire risk that can inform policies to improve insurance availability and affordability.
Low- and moderate-income homeowners could receive recommendations for means‑tested affordability supports or risk‑sharing programs to help them afford coverage.
The study could prompt regulatory actions (price controls or forced coverage continuance) that raise insurance costs or increase insurer insolvency risk, harming homeowners and potentially taxpayers.
Identifying needs for relocation or affordability supports could highlight costly policy options—relocation assistance or subsidies—that shift large costs to taxpayers and could reduce housing availability in high‑risk areas.
Conducting a federal study requires GAO and other agencies’ time and resources, adding administrative cost and possibly delaying other oversight work.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires GAO to study U.S. wildfire risk and the insurance market, including trends, state responses, and underwriting challenges, and report to Congress within one year.
Requires the Government Accountability Office (Comptroller General) to conduct a comprehensive study of wildfire risk and the U.S. insurance market for wildfire damage, in consultation with the Federal Insurance Office and State insurance regulators, and to deliver a report of findings and conclusions to Congress within one year of enactment. The study must examine wildfire risk assessment, homeowner and commercial wildfire coverage trends over the prior 10 years, State regulatory responses, and underwriting and market challenges.
Introduced July 24, 2025 by Martin Heinrich · Last progress July 24, 2025