This Act mandates a GAO study to assess the feasibility and structure of a federal voluntary property buyout program for homes in high-risk wildfire areas.
Laura Friedman
Representative
CA-30
The Wildfire Homeowner Relief Act directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility of establishing a federal program to voluntarily buy out homes in high-risk wildfire areas. This study must analyze existing federal buyout programs and recommend how a new wildfire buyout initiative should be structured, managed, and funded. The GAO is required to submit a full report with its findings and recommendations to Congress within one year.
Wildfire Relief Act Orders GAO Study on Federal 'Buyout' Program for High-Risk Homes
The Wildfire Homeowner Relief Act doesn’t immediately change anything for homeowners, but it kicks off a major federal study that could pave the way for a massive shift in how the government handles homes in fire-prone areas. Specifically, Section 2 directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to spend the next 12 months figuring out if the federal government should start a program to buy properties from homeowners in areas at high risk for catastrophic wildfires.
The Idea: Trading Danger for Dollars
Think of this like the flood zone buyout programs you hear about, but for fire. The GAO has to analyze how feasible it would be for the government to use grant money to purchase homes voluntarily sold by owners—both before a disaster hits and immediately after. The goal is simple: reduce the loss of life and property by getting people out of harm’s way before the next big fire comes through. This is a proactive approach, which is a big deal, as most federal disaster aid is reactive.
Building the Blueprint: What the GAO Has to Figure Out
If you’re living in a high-risk area, this study is creating the framework for whether you might one day get an offer. The GAO is tasked with answering all the tough questions. First, they have to look at all existing federal buyouts—called “covered buyouts”—and create a national database detailing who paid for what, who manages the land now, and if anyone built new structures on that land after the government bought it. This is about making sure the new program doesn't repeat past mistakes.
Second, the GAO must design the new program from the ground up. They need to recommend which federal agency (FEMA, HUD, or someone else) should run it and, crucially, what happens to the land after the government buys it. The bill specifies that post-buyout land use must actually reduce future wildfire risk. They also have to figure out how to map the highest-risk areas and define eligibility rules, deciding who gets an offer and who doesn't. They are even required to consider whether the rules should be different for rural vs. urban areas, and for "wealthy" vs. "poorer" communities, which is a potentially tricky area that could influence who benefits most from the final program.
The Real-World Impact (In 12 Months)
For the average person, the immediate impact is zero, but the long-term potential is huge. If you own a home in a canyon, forest-adjacent area, or anywhere else that gets red-flag warnings every summer, this study is the first step toward a potential exit strategy. The GAO must deliver its full report to Congress within 12 months, including a full cost analysis of the proposed program and recommendations for incentivizing people to join. While this is just a study, it’s a necessary step toward creating a formal, national policy that recognizes the growing threat of catastrophic wildfires, moving us away from just rebuilding after the fact.