H.R. 9243: Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act of 2026

This bill would let the President formally declare a smoke emergency in a state when wildland fire smoke is causing, or is expected to cause, a significant drop in air quality. A state governor or other appropriate state agency could request that declaration.

What the declaration would allow

If a smoke emergency is declared, the federal government, mainly through FEMA and other relevant agencies, could provide assistance to affected states and local communities. The bill specifically mentions support such as:

• grants
• equipment and supplies
• personnel and other resources
• help setting up smoke shelters
• air purifiers
• additional air monitoring sites

Help for small businesses

The bill would also allow the Small Business Administration to provide grants to small businesses that lose significant revenue because of wildland fire smoke in an area covered by a smoke emergency declaration.

Funding

The bill authorizes whatever funding is needed to carry out these activities. It also changes federal budget rules so that if Congress appropriates money specifically for smoke emergency assistance, that spending would be treated separately under the budget enforcement process.

Relevant Companies

None found