Save Our Sequoias Act | ChamberLight

PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 2709Environmental assessment, monitoring, researchForests, forestry, trees

Save Our Sequoias Act

INTRO APR 8· LAST ACTION MAR 17

READING

24MIN

COSPONSORS

29BIPARTISAN

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

One chamber only

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 4 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Voters should care about this bill because giant sequoia trees are a unique and iconic part of America's natural heritage, but they are increasingly threatened by climate change, more intense wildfires, and insect outbreaks. If this bill becomes law, it establishes a coordinated, long-term plan to protect these trees, potentially reducing the risk of catastrophic loss and ensuring their survival for future generations. It provides a framework for federal, state, and tribal entities to pool resources and expertise, addressing a problem that crosses jurisdictional boundaries.

Without this bill, protection efforts might remain fragmented and less effective, potentially leading to continued decline of sequoia groves due to the escalating environmental threats. The bill's emphasis on emergency response, reforestation, and ongoing monitoring means a more proactive approach to preserving these natural wonders, which are vital for biodiversity, forest health, and the tourism economy.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires the creation of a shared stewardship agreement for giant sequoias between federal agencies, the Governor of California, and the Tule River Indian Tribe.

This establishes a formal commitment for all major stakeholders to work together on sequoia management, ensuring a unified strategy.

PROVISION 02

Codifies the 'Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition' as a permanent entity to facilitate collaboration and coordination among all managing agencies and stakeholders.

This provides a long-term forum for information sharing, policy recommendations, and collaborative project planning for sequoia protection.

PROVISION 03

Mandates a comprehensive 'Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment' to gather data on the health of all giant sequoia groves.

This assessment will provide the necessary scientific foundation to develop effective, data-driven protection and restoration strategies.

PROVISION 04

Establishes a framework for 'Giant Sequoia Emergency Response' and 'Giant Sequoia Strike Teams' to quickly address immediate threats like wildfires or disease outbreaks.

This ensures rapid, coordinated action during crises, which is critical for saving trees from fast-moving threats.

PROVISION 05

Creates a 'Giant Sequoia Emergency Protection Program and Fund' to finance critical protection activities.

This provides a dedicated financial mechanism to support urgent and ongoing sequoia conservation efforts.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 29

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 90%

DEM 13 REP 16 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

15 EVENTS

MAR 17

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

SENATE · INTROREFERRAL

MAR 16

Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

HOUSE · FLOOR

MAR 16

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2503-2509)

FLOOR

MAR 16

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2709.

FLOOR

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 2709

Congress119th

StatusPassed House

IntroducedApr 8, 2025

Last actionMar 17, 2026

READER REACTIONS

OVERALL SENTIMENT

No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.

Discussion

Loading comments...

Call my reps

PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 8, 2025

House BillHR 2709Environmental assessment, monitoring, researchForests, forestry, trees

Save Our Sequoias Act

INTRODUCED APR 8, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 17, 2026

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

24 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 4 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires the creation of a shared stewardship agreement for giant sequoias between federal agencies, the Governor of California, and the Tule River Indian Tribe.

This establishes a formal commitment for all major stakeholders to work together on sequoia management, ensuring a unified strategy.

high

Codifies the 'Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition' as a permanent entity to facilitate collaboration and coordination among all managing agencies and stakeholders.

This provides a long-term forum for information sharing, policy recommendations, and collaborative project planning for sequoia protection.

med

Mandates a comprehensive 'Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment' to gather data on the health of all giant sequoia groves.

This assessment will provide the necessary scientific foundation to develop effective, data-driven protection and restoration strategies.

high

Establishes a framework for 'Giant Sequoia Emergency Response' and 'Giant Sequoia Strike Teams' to quickly address immediate threats like wildfires or disease outbreaks.

This ensures rapid, coordinated action during crises, which is critical for saving trees from fast-moving threats.

med

Creates a 'Giant Sequoia Emergency Protection Program and Fund' to finance critical protection activities.

This provides a dedicated financial mechanism to support urgent and ongoing sequoia conservation efforts.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 90 days after receiving a request

Secretary to enter into or expand a shared stewardship agreement with the Secretary of Agriculture, Governor of California, and the Tule River Indian Tribe upon request.

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act

Secretary to enter into a shared stewardship agreement with the Secretary of Agriculture if no request is received from the Governor of California or the Tule River Indian Tribe.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Shared stewardship agreement: A formal pact between different government agencies and other groups to jointly manage and protect natural resources across their respective lands.
Collaborative process: A way for different groups, including government agencies, local communities, and tribes, to work together and make decisions about public lands.
Covered National Forest System lands: Specific national forests and monuments in California, including Sequoia National Forest, Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sierra National Forest, and Tahoe National Forest.
Reforestation: The process of replanting or allowing new trees to grow naturally in an area, considering tree types and their ability to recover.
Rehabilitation: Actions taken within five years after a wildfire to repair damaged lands that would not otherwise recover on their own.
Responsible official: An employee of the Department of the Interior or Forest Service who has the power to approve and carry out a proposed action.
Secretary concerned: Refers to either the Secretary of Agriculture (for National Forest lands) or the Secretary of the Interior (for other public lands), or someone they've assigned to act on their behalf.

ACTION TIMELINE

15 EVENTS

MAR 17

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

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 16

Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

FLOOR

MAR 16

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2503-2509)

FLOOR

MAR 16

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2709.

FLOOR

READER REACTIONS

0 COMMENTS

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What do you think?

0 votes

Discussion

Loading comments...

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Agriculture CommitteeReferred

Mar 12, 2026

house

Related Hearings

Hearings to examine S.5402, to extend authorizations for aquatic ecosystem restoration projects, multi-benefit watershed health projects, and WaterSMART grants, S.456, to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expedite geothermal exploration and development in previously studied or developed areas, S.1568, to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to modify standards for general service lamps, S.2644, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to assess the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Camden Battlefield area in the State of South Carolina as a unit of the National Park System, S.4103 and H.R. 2709, bills to improve the health and resiliency of giant sequoias, S.4116, to advance next-generation geothermal electricity generation demonstration projects in new regions, S.4166, to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require States to include supporting the physical security, cybersecurity, and resilience of local distribution systems in State energy security plans, S.4023, to establish the America's Living Library Project, S.4489, to authorize the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System in the State of Montana, S.4787, to expedite resolution of certain administrative proceedings at the Department of the Interior, S.4846, to amend the United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act to reauthorize the United States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment program, S.4870, to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, S.4955, to amend the Act of May 17, 1954, to revise the boundary of Gateway Arch National Park, S.5048, to amend the Federal Power Act to modernize the hydropower licensing process, S.5101, to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from taking any action to expand the Mid-Continent Limestone Quarry located near Glenwood Springs, Colorado, S.5169, to expand the boundaries of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, to recognize and enhance the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District partnership model, S.5338, to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from prescribing any new or amended energy conservation standards for a product that is not technologically feasible and economically justified, S.5293, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to establish prepositioning protocols for aerial wildfire suppression for early-season fine fuel wildland fires, S.5352, to amend the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act and the Water Desalination Act of 1996 to reauthorize certain desalination programs, S.5359, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to Pennington County, South Dakota, certain National Forest System land, S.5360, to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, S.5374, to facilitate the conveyance of certain land in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, platted under section 2387 of the Revised Statutes, H.R.900, to direct the Director of the United States Geological Survey to establish a program to map zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation, H.R.1682, to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide for lifetime National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes for family members of members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives while serving their country.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee (senate)Sep 16, 2026

Video

Search

Save Our Sequoias Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Save Our Sequoias Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Related Legislation

Related Hearings