Congressman Mike Kennedy from Utah’s 3rd District has introduced the Targeted Operations to Remove Catastrophic Hazards (TORCH) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation is intended to honor the work of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa of California, who was known for his advocacy on behalf of Western forests and efforts to reduce wildfire risk.
“The TORCH Act stands with our nation’s foresters, giving them the tools they need to responsibly reduce wildfire risk and protect the lives and communities in high-risk areas,” said Kennedy. “In Utah, we’ve seen firsthand how active forest management can mean the difference between resilience and devastation, especially in our rural and fire-prone regions. The TORCH Act is about commonsense stewardship and ensuring those on the ground can do their jobs effectively.”
The bill proposes several changes aimed at streamlining forest management practices. It would allow certain safety projects to move forward without lengthy environmental reviews, simplify paperwork requirements following wildfires, speed up removal of hazardous trees near power lines, and give state and local officials a greater role in managing federal lands adjacent to their communities.
The National Association of State Foresters has expressed support for the legislation.
The reintroduction of this bill comes after Congressman LaMalfa’s passing earlier in 2026. Supporters say it continues his focus on moving from reactive firefighting toward proactive forest management strategies that address threats before they escalate.
A full copy of the bill is available online.
