Contact Congress about H.R. 168: TORCH Act

Federal agencies and utilities could clear more trees and brush faster to reduce wildfire risk. Some projects would skip deeper environmental review, and local partners could keep timber sale money for more restoration work.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

TORCH Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.

Latest action on H.R. 168: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects communities near federal forests, electric utilities with lines across federal land, and state, tribal, county, and local partners that help restore forests. It could also affect private landowners near power lines, ranchers who may receive grazing permits for fuel reduction, and people who use national forests and public lands. Wildlife, habitat, cultural sites, and recreation areas could see changes depending on where and how agencies use these new powers.

Why this matters: Wildfire risk is growing in many forested areas, and this bill tries to help agencies act faster before fires start or spread. It would speed up tree cutting, fuel breaks, grazing, and power-line clearing. That could help protect nearby communities and electric service. It could also mean less review before projects affect wildlife habitat, cultural places, scenery, roads, and recreation areas.

Key provisions in H.R. 168

• The Agriculture Secretary must create a faster review path within one year for high-priority hazard tree work. It would apply within 300 feet of certain forest roads, trails, and developed recreation sites, with a 3,000-acre limit per project.
• Agencies could not use the new hazard tree shortcut in the most protected areas. That includes wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, inventoried roadless areas, permanent road or trail construction, and lands where Congress or the President limits vegetation removal.
• The bill raises the limit for certain small timber sales on National Forest System land from $10,000 to $50,000. It also lets agencies sell or dispose of trees and forest products without an appraisal during an extreme risk.
• The Forest Service must create a plan to use livestock grazing to lower wildfire risk. The plan must include targeted grazing, temporary permits, and grazing for post-fire recovery when appropriate.
• The bill keeps a cross-boundary wildfire program running through 2030 instead of ending in 2023. It also raises some wildfire resilience and collaborative restoration project limits from 3,000 acres to 10,000 acres.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 168

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 168

What is H.R. 168?

Federal agencies and utilities could clear more trees and brush faster to reduce wildfire risk. Some projects would skip deeper environmental review, and local partners could keep timber sale money for more restoration work.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 168?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 168?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 168 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.