ACWA and Partners Urge Congress to Act on Wildfire Legislation by ACWA Staff Nov 24, 2020 Water News WASHINGTON, D.C. – ACWA, in coordination with several associations, water agencies, and counties, sent a letter today to Congressional leaders urging action on federal wildfire legislation. During the second session of the 116th Congress, which is set to wrap in just a few weeks, several pieces of legislation have been introduced. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and political jockeying have kept vital wildfire legislation from making progress in either the House or Senate. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D–CA) and Senator Steve Daines (R–MT), along with Representative Jimmy Panetta (D–CA) and Representative Doug LaMalfa (R–CA), introduced the Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act (S. 4431/H.R. 7978). Their bills were heard in Committee but never received markup. Similarly, Senator Kamala Harris (D–CA) and Representative Jared Huffman (D– A) introduced the Wildfire Defense Act (S. 2882/H.R. 5091) earlier this year, but it has yet to receive a markup either. ACWA supports both pieces of legislation and is hopeful that a package can be developed before the year is over. The letter can be found on ACWA’s website. For questions about ACWA’s federal advocacy, please contact Federal Relations Director David Reynolds.
