Disaster Reforestation Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 1141Inflation and pricesForests, forestry, trees

Disaster Reforestation Act

INTRO MAR 26· LAST ACTION MAR 26

READING

4MIN

COSPONSORS

8BIPARTISAN

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

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LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters to voters because it could significantly change the financial landscape for the timber industry, especially in regions prone to natural disasters. If passed, it provides a stronger financial safety net for landowners, helping them recover more quickly after losing valuable timber to events like wildfires, hurricanes, or insect outbreaks that are becoming more common.

By offering a more substantial tax deduction and requiring reforestation, the bill could encourage quicker replanting efforts after disasters, potentially speeding up environmental recovery and ensuring a continued supply of timber for various industries. Without this bill, landowners might face greater financial hardship after losing timber, potentially delaying reforestation or making it less economically viable, which could have long-term impacts on local economies and forest health.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Establishes a new way to calculate tax deductions for lost uncut timber, basing it on the appraised value before the loss minus salvage value, rather than historical cost.

This provision can significantly increase the tax deduction for landowners, providing more financial relief after a disaster.

PROVISION 02

Requires landowners to reforest the lost timber within five years of the loss to qualify for and keep the special tax deduction.

This ensures the tax incentive promotes environmental recovery and sustainable forest management.

PROVISION 03

Expands the definition of 'other casualty' for timber losses to include damage from wood-destroying insects, invasive species, and severe drought.

This broadens the types of disasters for which landowners can claim the enhanced tax deduction, reflecting current threats to forests.

PROVISION 04

Allows landowners to estimate the value of lost timber on their tax return if a professional appraisal is delayed, with an adjustment made once the appraisal is completed.

This helps landowners claim deductions in a timely manner even if disaster-related appraisals take time.

PROVISION 05

Clarifies that the special deduction applies to timber held for sale as part of a trade or business, including 'pre-merchantable' timber (trees not yet ready for harvest).

This ensures the benefits are directed towards commercial timber operations and covers the full lifecycle of timber assets.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 8

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 57%

DEM 2 REP 5 IND 1

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAR 26

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 26

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 1141

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedMar 26, 2025

Last actionMar 26, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · FINANCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAR 26, 2025

Senate BillS 1141Inflation and pricesForests, forestry, trees

Disaster Reforestation Act

INTRODUCED MAR 26, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 26, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

4 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

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

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Establishes a new way to calculate tax deductions for lost uncut timber, basing it on the appraised value before the loss minus salvage value, rather than historical cost.

This provision can significantly increase the tax deduction for landowners, providing more financial relief after a disaster.

high

Requires landowners to reforest the lost timber within five years of the loss to qualify for and keep the special tax deduction.

This ensures the tax incentive promotes environmental recovery and sustainable forest management.

med

Expands the definition of 'other casualty' for timber losses to include damage from wood-destroying insects, invasive species, and severe drought.

This broadens the types of disasters for which landowners can claim the enhanced tax deduction, reflecting current threats to forests.

med

Allows landowners to estimate the value of lost timber on their tax return if a professional appraisal is delayed, with an adjustment made once the appraisal is completed.

This helps landowners claim deductions in a timely manner even if disaster-related appraisals take time.

low

Clarifies that the special deduction applies to timber held for sale as part of a trade or business, including 'pre-merchantable' timber (trees not yet ready for harvest).

This ensures the benefits are directed towards commercial timber operations and covers the full lifecycle of timber assets.

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 1 year after the casualty loss

Appraisal valuation date for lost timber

Not later than the close of the 5-year period beginning on the date of loss

Reforestation of lost timber

Losses sustained in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act

Effective date of the amendments

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

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)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
administrative	Recapture of the benefit of any deduction allowed	Taxpayers who fail to reforest timber as required

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Internal Revenue Code: The official body of tax laws in the United States.
Casualty Loss: Damage or destruction of property resulting from a sudden, unexpected, or unusual event, like a fire, storm, or theft.
Uncut Timber: Trees that are still standing in a forest, not yet harvested or logged.
Basis: For tax purposes, the original cost of an asset, used to calculate gain or loss when the asset is sold or destroyed.
Salvage Value: The estimated worth of property (like damaged timber) after it has been damaged or destroyed.
Appraisal: A professional assessment of the value of property, often done by a certified expert.
Pre-merchantable Timber: Young trees that are not yet mature enough to be harvested for commercial sale.
Reforestation: The process of replanting trees in an area where a forest has been removed or destroyed.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAR 26, 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 26, 25

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

INTROREFERRAL

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Mar 26, 2025

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Disaster Reforestation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Disaster Reforestation Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

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