Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act of 2026

This bill would allow the President to declare a smoke emergency in any state where wildfire smoke has caused, or is expected to cause, a significant drop in air quality. A state's governor or another appropriate agency could request such a declaration. After a declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies could give states and local communities grants, equipment, supplies, and staff for smoke shelters, air purifiers, and more air monitoring sites. The Small Business Administration could give grants to small businesses in declared areas that lose a significant amount of revenue because of wildfire smoke. The bill also changes federal budget rules so that money Congress designates for smoke emergency assistance can be counted as an adjustment to spending limits.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Jeff Merkley Democrat sponsor
• 3 cosponsors