Long-Term Good Neighbor Authority Act

Long-Term Good Neighbor Authority Act

The "Good Neighbor Authority" is an existing federal program that allows the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to partner with state and local governments to carry out forest and land management projects together. These partnerships let states help with things like forest restoration, hazardous fuels reduction (to lower wildfire risk), and watershed improvements on federal lands. This bill, the Long-Term Good Neighbor Authority Act, appears aimed at making those partnership agreements last longer — allowing states and federal agencies to enter into extended, multi-year contracts rather than short-term arrangements that need to be frequently renewed.

The bill primarily affects state forestry agencies, local governments, and federal land management agencies like the Forest Service and BLM. Currently, shorter agreement terms can create uncertainty and administrative burdens for states trying to plan and carry out large-scale land management work. By allowing longer-term agreements, states could more efficiently schedule crews, equipment, and funding for projects that take multiple years to complete. Federal agencies could also benefit from more stable, ongoing partnerships with experienced state partners.

For everyday Americans, this bill could have practical effects on wildfire prevention, forest health, and water quality in communities near federal lands. Many of these Good Neighbor projects focus on reducing wildfire risk, which directly impacts nearby towns and rural communities. The bill is still in early stages, having been referred to the House Committees on Natural Resources and Agriculture, with a subcommittee hearing already held.