HR 1904108th CongressSigned into LawHouse

Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003

Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

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Origin Chamber

House

Last Updated

Mar 24, 2026

Latest Action Date

Dec 3, 2003

Primary Sponsor

Sponsor

Bill Sponsor

Rep. McInnis, Scott [R-CO-3]

RCO

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Sponsor Committees

Related committee information is not available for this bill yet.

Legislative Timeline

Signed into Law

2003-05-01Referred to Committee

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

2003-05-01Introduced

Introduced in House

2003-05-02Referred to Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

2003-05-08Reported

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

2003-05-08Committee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

2003-05-09Discharge

Committee on Resources discharged.

2003-05-09Referred to Committee

Referred sequentially to the House Committee on the Judiciary for a period ending not later than May 16, 2003 for consideration of such provisions of the bill as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(k), rule X.

2003-05-09IntroReferral

House Committee on Resources Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than May 9, 2003.

2003-05-09Reported

Reported by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 108-96, Part I.

2003-05-14Reported

Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 13.

2003-05-14Committee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

2003-05-16Calendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 52.

2003-05-16Reported

Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-96, Part II.

2003-05-19Reported

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 239 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1904 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Rule provides for one hour of debate in the House, with 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Agriculture, 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Resources, and 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Rule provides that the amendment printed in part A of (H.Rept. 108-109) shall be considered as adopted. Makes in order the amendment printed in part B of (H. Rept. 108-109) if offered by Representative George Miller of California or his ...

2003-05-20Floor

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 1904.

2003-05-20Floor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

2003-05-20Floor

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 256 - 170 (Roll no. 200). (text of measure as passed: CR H4292-4298)

2003-05-20Passed House

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 256 - 170 (Roll no. 200).(text of measure as passed: CR H4292-4298)

2003-05-20Floor

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 176 - 250 (Roll no. 199).

2003-05-20Floor

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

2003-05-20Reported

Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Udall (NM) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require that the bill be reported back to the House forthwith, with an amendment to strike sections 106 and 107 from the bill.

2003-05-20Floor

Mr. Udall (NM) moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary. (consideration: CR H4322-4324; text: CR H4322)

2003-05-20Floor

The previous question was ordered on the bill, as amended, and on the George Miller (CA) amendment.

2003-05-20Floor

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 239 the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the George Miller (CA) amendment in the nature of a substitute.

2003-05-20Floor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1904.

2003-05-20Floor

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1904 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Rule provides for one hour of debate in the House, with 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Agriculture, 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Resources, and 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Rule provides that the amendment printed in part A of (H.Rept. 108-109) shall be considered as adopted. Makes in order the amendment printed in part B of (H. Rept. 108-109) if offered by Representative George Miller of California or his ...

2003-05-20Reported

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 239. (consideration: CR H4287-4324; text of measure as reported in House: CR H4287-4292)

2003-05-20Passed House

Rule H. Res. 239 passed House.

2003-05-21Referred to Committee

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

2003-06-26Committee

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held.

2003-07-22Committee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

2003-07-24Reported

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

2003-07-31Calendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 246.

2003-07-31Reported

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Cochran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 108-121.

2003-08-11Reported

Star Print ordered on the reported bill.

2003-10-29Reported

Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S13435-13483; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S13435-13449)

2003-10-30Passed Senate

Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 14. Record Vote Number: 428. (text: CR 10/31/2003 S13719-13734)

2003-10-30Passed Senate

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 14. Record Vote Number: 428.(text: CR 10/31/2003 S13719-13734)

2003-10-30Floor

The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

2003-10-30Floor

Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S13600-13611, CR 10/31/2003 S13613-13637)

2003-11-05Floor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

2003-11-06Conference

The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on the Judiciary for consideration of secs. 106 and 107 of the House bill, and secs. 105, 106, 1115, and 1116 of the Senate amendment and modifications committed to conference: Sensenbrenner, Smith (TX), and Conyers.

2003-11-06Conference

The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Resources for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendments, and modifications committed to conference: Pombo, McInnis, Walden (OR), Renzi, Miller, George, and Inslee.

2003-11-06Conference

The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Agriculture for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendments, and modifications committed to conference: Goodlatte, Boehner, Jenkins, Gutknecht, Hayes, Stenholm, Peterson (MN), and Dooley (CA).

2003-11-06ResolvingDifferences

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

2003-11-06ResolvingDifferences

On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H10469)

2003-11-06ResolvingDifferences

The previous question was ordered without objection.

2003-11-06Conference

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Stenholm motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1904. The instructions contained in the motion seek to have the House managers, as soon as practicable after the adoption of the motion, meet in open session with the Senate conferees and the House conferees shall file a conference report not later than Thursday, November 13, 2003.

2003-11-06ResolvingDifferences

Mr. Stenholm moved that the House instruct conferees. (consideration: CR H10463; text: CR H10463)

2003-11-06Conference

On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and request a conference Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H10462-10463)

2003-11-06Conference

Mr. Goodlatte moved that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and request a conference. (consideration: CR H10462-10469)

2003-11-06Conference

Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.

2003-11-20Conference

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 457 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to H.R. 1904. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration are waived. The conference report shall be considered as read.

2003-11-20Conference

Conference papers: Senate report and manager's statement held at the desk in Senate.

2003-11-20Conference

Conference report H. Rept. 108-386 filed. (text of conference report: CR H11686-11698)

2003-11-20Conference

Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 108-386 filed.(text of conference report: CR H11686-11698)

2003-11-20Floor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

2003-11-20Conference

Senate insists on its amendments, agrees to request for a conference, appoints conferees Cochran; McConnell; Crapo; Domenici; Harkin; Leahy; Daschle.

2003-11-21Floor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

2003-11-21Conference

Senate agreed to conference report by Unanimous Consent.

2003-11-21Conference

Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Unanimous Consent.

2003-11-21Conference

Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S15368-15373)

2003-11-21Conference

Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.

2003-11-21Conference

On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 286 - 140 (Roll no. 656).

2003-11-21ResolvingDifferences

Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

2003-11-21Conference

Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 286 - 140 (Roll no. 656).

2003-11-21ResolvingDifferences

The previous question was ordered without objection.

2003-11-21Conference

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 1904.

2003-11-21Conference

Mr. Goodlatte brought up conference report H. Rept. 108-386 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 457. (consideration: CR H12159-12172)

2003-11-21Conference

Conferees agreed to file conference report.

2003-11-21Conference

Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.

2003-11-21Passed House

Rule H. Res. 457 passed House.

2003-12-02Sent to President

Presented to President.

2003-12-03Signed into Law

Became Public Law No: 108-148.

2003-12-03Signed by President

Signed by President.

Related Votes

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Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 108-148.

Official Summary

Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 - Permits the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, to plan and conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects (fuels projects) on specified types of Federal lands.Directs the Secretary concerned to give priority to fuels projects that provide for the protection of communities and watersheds.Authorizes the Secretary concerned to make grants: (1) to improve the commercial value of forest biomass to produce electric energy, sensible heat, transportation fuels, or substitutes for petroleum-based products; and (2) to offset the cost of projects to add value to biomass.Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to permit the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to provide assistance to State foresters and officials for the purpose of expanding State forest capacities and activities to address watershed issues on non-Federal forested lands and potentially forested lands.Directs the Secretary concerned to establish an accelerated program to plan, conduct, and promote comprehensive and systematic information gathering on bark beetles.Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the healthy forests reserve program within the Forest Service for the purpose of protecting, restoring, and enhancing degraded forest ecosystems to promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species as well as improve biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration.Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a comprehensive plan to inventory, monitor, characterize, assess, and identify forest stands and potential forest stands in specified locations. States that issues to be addressed shall include: (1) the early detection, identification, and assessment of environmental threats; and (2) the loss or degradation of forests.

GovScope Watchdog™

AI Government Intelligence™

Executive Summary

The Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 authorizes the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to conduct hazardous fuels reduction projects on certain federal lands to protect communities and watersheds. It includes provisions for grants to improve the commercial value of forest biomass and supports state forestry efforts to address watershed issues. The Act also establishes programs for monitoring bark beetles, restoring degraded forest ecosystems, and assessing forest health.

Bottom Line

This bill establishes federal programs to reduce forest hazards, enhance forest ecosystem health, and support biomass utilization, aiming to protect communities and natural resources.

Policy Risk Level

🟡 Medium

Neutral Risk Assessment

Key Points

Authorizes hazardous fuels reduction projects on National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management lands.
Provides grants to improve the commercial value of forest biomass and offset costs of biomass projects.
Establishes programs for monitoring bark beetles, restoring forest ecosystems, and assessing forest health.

Who Benefits?

Federal land management agencies, state forestry officials, communities near federal forests, and industries involved in biomass energy and forest management may benefit from the programs and grants authorized by this Act.

Potential Concerns

Implementation may require coordination among multiple agencies and stakeholders, and the effectiveness of hazardous fuels reduction projects depends on adequate funding and management. The bill text does not specify detailed funding levels or timelines, which could affect program outcomes.

Political Context

The bill was introduced in the House during the 108th Congress, falls under the Public Lands and Natural Resources policy area, and has been enacted into law as Public Law No: 108-148 as of December 3, 2003.

Hidden Impact Review

No hidden impact flags detected

GovScope reviewed 11 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.

Clear Review

Categories Reviewed — Not Detected

✓ Broad agency authority

✓ New regulatory authority

✓ Privacy concerns

✓ Spending increases

✓ Criminal penalties

✓ Civil liability

✓ Unfunded mandates

✓ Executive discretion

✓ Missing sunset provisions

✓ Cross references

✓ Hidden implementation costs

Indirect Effects

The Act may indirectly influence forest management practices, biomass energy markets, and conservation efforts by promoting hazardous fuels reduction and ecosystem restoration. It could also affect local economies near federal forests through grant programs and biomass utilization.

GovScope Watchdog Notes

The full bill text is not provided, limiting detailed analysis. Citizens may want to review funding levels, program timelines, and implementation reports to assess effectiveness. Coordination between federal and state agencies will be important for achieving the Act's goals.

Passage Likelihood: HighConfidence: 75%Model: gpt-4.1-mini

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