Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025

Key Points

• This law allows the Department of Defense to sell old military planes and spare parts to companies that fight wildfires. Instead of letting these planes sit unused, they will be used as "air tankers" to drop water or fire retardant on forest fires.
• The new rules clarify that these planes can be used to drop water, not just chemical fire retardants. This gives firefighters more options when trying to put out blazes in different types of environments across the country.
• To make sure these planes are used correctly, the law says they can only be used for wildfire fighting services. Companies cannot buy these discounted military planes and then use them for other private business or cargo transport.
• This program is being extended for ten years, lasting until October 1, 2035. This long-term plan helps firefighting companies invest in their fleets, knowing they will have a steady supply of parts and planes to keep their operations running.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.