Rep. Kennedy Introduces the TORCH Act to Carry on Rep. LaMalfa’s Legacy and Dedication to Federal Lands

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) introduced the Targeted Operations to Remove Catastrophic Hazards (TORCH) Act. This legislation honors the legacy of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa of California and advances critical, common-sense reforms to forest management that will protect Western communities from the devastating impacts of catastrophic wildfires 

“I’m proud to introduce the TORCH Act in honor of its original author, my late colleague, Rep. Doug LaMalfa, whose steadfast leadership on forest health continues to guide this work,”  said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “This legislation stands with our nation’s foresters, giving them the tools they need to responsibly reduce wildfire risk and protect the lives and communities in high-risk areas. In Utah, we’ve seen firsthand how active forest management can mean the difference between resilience and devastation, especially in our rural and fire-prone regions. The TORCH Act is about commonsense stewardship and ensuring those on the ground can do their jobs effectively.” 

This bill has received support from the National Association of State Foresters. Read the letter of support here.

Background:

The Targeted Operations to Remove Catastrophic Hazards (TORCH) Act will modernize how we protect our landscapes from the growing threat of wildfires. Currently, essential forest health projects, like thinning overgrown brush or clearing dead timber, can be delayed for years by bureaucratic red tape. The TORCH Act seeks to streamline this process by:

• Expanding Categorical Exclusions: Allowing low-impact safety projects to bypass lengthy reviews.
• Modernizing Consultations: Reducing duplicative paperwork that stalls restoration after a fire.
• Protecting Infrastructure: Expediting the removal of hazardous trees near power lines to prevent electrical sparks.
• Local Partnerships: Empowering state and local experts to help manage federal lands bordering their towns.

The bill seeks to carry on the legacy of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa, a longtime advocate for the forests of the West. Throughout his career, LaMalfa maintained that passive management posed an existential threat to the health and longevity of our nation’s forests.

Following his passing in early 2026, the reintroduction of his TORCH Act is a tribute to his mission: transitioning from a reactive firefighting model to a proactive forest management model. For regions like Utah and across the nation, the bill represents the much-needed reforms LaMalfa championed.

Read the full bill text here.