S 629 · Signed into Law · 07-12-26
Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025
What does the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025 do?
S 629 is a Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE). Makes it easier for farmers and forest owners to get federal help repairing land after disasters. It lets them receive part of an Emergency Conservation Program or Emergency Forest Restoration Program payment up front, before doing the work, and gives them more time to use the funds.
Did S 629 pass? Where it stands
As of August 30, 2026, S 629 has been signed into law on July 12, 2026.
Status: Signed into Law
Latest vote: House Passed 368–19 on June 23, 2026
Outlook: Very Likely
Enacted: Signed into law on July 12, 2026
Key provisions
- Advance Payments for Emergency Conservation
- Producers may receive 75% of replacement cost up front, before doing the work
- Producers may receive 50% of repair or restoration cost up front
- Covers emergency measures to restore farmland or conservation structures
- More Time and Broader Wildfire Coverage
- Window to use funds extended from 60 days to 180 days
- Eligible wildfire damage includes federally caused fires and natural spread of human-caused fires
- Emergency Forest Restoration Advance Payments
- Owners of nonindustrial private forest land may receive up to 75% of emergency-measure cost up front
- Unspent advance funds must be returned after 180 days
Last updated July 20, 2026