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Congress·In Committee·25 days ago

Senate Bill Targets Grand Canyon and Kaibab Forest Rebuilding After 200,000-Acre Wildfires

Also known as: North Rim and Kaibab National Forest Restoration Act of 2026

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill allows the National Park Service and Forest Service to use faster hiring and buying processes to speed up repairs in the Grand Canyon and Kaibab National Forest. These 'emergency authorities' are meant to help the area recover from two massive 2025 wildfires that burned over 200,000 acres.
  • The work will focus on rebuilding more than 100 destroyed structures, including the Grand Canyon Lodge, and restoring the natural landscape. This includes planting native seeds, stopping soil erosion, and removing dangerous trees to make the parks safe for tourists and wildlife again.
  • To support the local economy, the government is required to prioritize hiring local businesses and companies owned by Native American Tribes. The agencies must also consult with the 11 Tribes that have ancestral homelands in the Grand Canyon region throughout the rebuilding process.
  • To prevent the waste of taxpayer money, the agencies must send a report to Congress every six months. These reports must list all contractors, explain every dollar spent, and flag any instances of fraud or cost overruns.
  • These special powers will last for five years or until the cleanup is finished. If another fire happens in the same area during this time, the agencies can ask Congress for a one-year extension to complete their work.
Energy EnvironmentInfrastructure Transportation

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 5, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Feb 5, 2026

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Up to 5 years after enactment

Emergency contracting authority expires

The special fast-track purchasing powers end either five years after the bill becomes law or when the agencies declare recovery complete, whichever comes first. Any remaining work would return to normal, slower government contracting processes.

Related News

3 articles
KNAU·24 days ago

Arizona US senators to introduce bill expediting North Rim reconstruction

Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly introduced the North Rim and Kaibab National Forest Restoration Act to grant the NPS and Forest Service emergency authority to bypass standard procurement delays. The bill aims to speed up the rebuilding of 100+ structures destroyed by 2025 wildfires.

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Flagstaff Business News·4 months ago

North Rim Recovery Opens Options for New Lodge

Local business leaders and officials discuss the economic impact of the North Rim closure. The article highlights the introduction of restoration legislation to streamline federal contracting for rebuilding the lodge, potentially allowing for year-round visitation and modernized facilities.

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KNAU·7 days ago

Park Service releases executive summary of Dragon Bravo Fire impacts

The National Park Service released a report on the Dragon Bravo Fire's impacts, confirming the destruction of 114 buildings. The report outlines the need for emergency stabilization and long-term rehabilitation, which the 2026 Restoration Act aims to fund and accelerate.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

North Rim and Kaibab National Forest Restoration Act of 2026

Bill NumberS 3785
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.