Fire Management Assistance Grants for Tribal Governments Act

# Fire Management Assistance Grants for Tribal Governments Act - Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would allow Native American tribal governments to directly request federal wildfire assistance from FEMA, rather than having to go through their state governments. Currently, tribes must rely on states to request Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs)—federal funding to help pay for firefighting efforts. The bill gives tribes the option to apply for this assistance independently while still allowing them to work through states if they prefer. FEMA would have one year to update its rules to make this change happen. **Who it affects:** Native American tribal governments would be the primary beneficiaries, as they would gain more control over their own disaster response.

This could help tribes respond faster to wildfires and reduce bureaucratic delays that come from having to coordinate through state channels. Ultimately, it may also benefit tribal communities that depend on their governments' ability to quickly secure firefighting resources. **Current status:** The bill (S. 443) was introduced by Senator Gary Peters (D-Michigan) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been voted on by the full Senate.