FEES Act of 2026

(a) In general. Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Interior shall assemble an independent scientific panel to conduct an assessment of the impacts of the provisions of this Act on the ecological, social, and economic sustainability of federally managed lands; including factors including—

(1) Federal forest and rangeland health;

(2) susceptibility of Federal forests and rangelands to catastrophic wildfire and insect infestation;

(3) biological diversity;

(4) watershed quality; and

(5) economic productivity of Federal forests and rangelands.

(b) Report. The panel shall report its conclusions upon completion of the assessment to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.

(c) Scientific panel members. The panel shall consist of 5 members, appointed by the Secretary—

(1) at least two of whom shall be hunters or anglers;

(2) at least one of whom shall be affiliated with the forest products industry;

(3) at least one of whom shall be affiliated with a rural water utility; and

(4) at least one of whom shall be a wildlife biologist.