Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/hr/1045
Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]

ID: K000403

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

December 16, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

(sigh) Oh joy, another bill that's about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the face. Let me put on my surgical gloves and dissect this mess.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** (rolls eyes) The Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025 is a masterclass in legislative doublespeak. Its stated purpose is to "amend" the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2004 by adding an additional institute... in Utah. Wow, how original. I'm sure it has nothing to do with pork-barrel politics or lining the pockets of Utah's congressional delegation.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** (heavy sarcasm) Oh boy, this is a real game-changer. The bill adds Utah to the list of states eligible for funding under the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act. I'm sure it was just an oversight that Utah wasn't included in the original bill... or maybe it's just a coincidence that Utah has a few influential politicians who want some extra cash.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** (disdainfully) The usual suspects: Utah's congressional delegation, local politicians, and probably some well-connected "experts" who'll get to run this new institute. And of course, the taxpayers, who'll foot the bill for this boondoggle.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** (cynical chuckle) Let me put on my surprised face... This bill will likely result in a few million dollars being thrown at some vague "research" project that might – just might – produce some marginally useful findings. Meanwhile, the real impact will be felt by Utah's politicians, who'll get to tout this as a "major victory" for their constituents, and the lobbyists who helped grease the wheels.

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a severe case of "Pork-Barrel-itis," a disease characterized by an excessive desire for federal funding and a complete disregard for actual policy substance. Symptoms include vague language, unnecessary amendments, and a healthy dose of self-serving politics. Treatment involves a strong dose of skepticism, a thorough examination of the bill's true motivations, and a healthy dose of ridicule.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than analyze this legislative garbage. Next patient, please!

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$480,070
21 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$260,150
Committees
$0
Individuals
$219,920

No PAC contributions found

1
EDGEWORTH PROTECTIVE SERVICES
1 transaction
$245,533
2
SENECA NATION OF INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
3
ROSEWOOD SAND HILL
1 transaction
$2,560
4
THE CITIZEN HOTEL
1 transaction
$1,454
5
CAMBRIA HOTEL
1 transaction
$1,260
6
JETBLUE AIRWAYS
1 transaction
$789
7
HYATT CENTRIC
1 transaction
$758
8
EMBASSY SUITES
1 transaction
$646
9
OEK NJ LLC
1 transaction
$500
10
COMMON SENSE PAC
1 transaction
$50

No committee contributions found

1
REITERMAN, MARY ELIZABETH
2 transactions
$34,800
2
VIVIAN, MICHAEL A
2 transactions
$34,800
3
JONES, SHIRLEY
2 transactions
$34,800
4
LACOSTE, ROGER
2 transactions
$34,800
5
LABEDZ, DAVID
3 transactions
$34,800
6
MAKI, NEIL JAMES
2 transactions
$10,025
7
COX, SANDY
2 transactions
$10,000
8
HENLEY, DOY
1 transaction
$8,354
9
HILL, VERNON
1 transaction
$7,529
10
HARTMAN, STEPHEN
1 transaction
$5,310
11
BRADDOCK, DAVID
1 transaction
$4,702

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 3 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

ID: O000086

Top Contributors

10

1
UTE INDIAN TRIBE
Organization FORT DUCHESNE, UT
$3,300
Nov 12, 2024
2
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$2,000
Sep 30, 2024
3
PALMER, JEFFERY
NONE RETIRED
Individual MAPLETON, UT
$13,200
May 29, 2023
4
JENKINS, JAMES W.
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual SALT LAKE CITY, UT
$10,000
May 13, 2024
5
HOLSCHER, KELLY
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual PACIFIC PALISADES, CA
$6,600
Aug 22, 2024
6
LISONBEE, DAVID
4LIFE RESEARCH BUSINESS OWNER
Individual PROVO, UT
$6,600
Mar 19, 2024
7
OVERHOLT, DAVID W. MR.
UNIFIED PURCHASING GROUP PRESIDENT
Individual SOUTH JORDAN, UT
$6,600
Apr 3, 2024
8
DAICHENDT, JOE
ACI JET BUSINESS OWNER
Individual LADERA RANCH, CA
$6,600
Mar 16, 2023
9
GRIFFIN, KENNETH
CITADEL LLC FOUNDER CEO
Individual MIAMI BEACH, FL
$6,600
Apr 10, 2023
10
PALMER, KELLY
NONE RETIRED
Individual MAPLETON, UT
$6,600
Jun 13, 2023

Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]

ID: M001213

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,800
Dec 31, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Nov 8, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jul 22, 2024
4
JLS HOLDINGS LLC
Organization SALT LAKE CITY, UT
$9,900
Jul 13, 2023
5
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
May 16, 2024
6
HEMMCO LLC
Organization OREM, UT
$2,500
Sep 15, 2023
7
R & O CONSTRUCTION
Organization OGDEN, UT
$2,500
Sep 13, 2023
8
SISTERS MOVEMENT
Organization MCKINNEY, TX
$1,000
Sep 11, 2023
9
RAHMAN PROPERTIES
Organization SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX
$250
Feb 14, 2024
10
FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI COMMUNITY
Organization CRANDON, WI
$3,300
Dec 23, 2024

Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2]

ID: M001228

Top Contributors

10

1
THE UTE INDIAN TRIBE
Organization FORT DUCHESNE, UT
$3,300
Nov 9, 2024
2
THE UTE INDIAN TRIBE
Organization FORT DUCHESNE, UT
$3,300
Nov 9, 2024
3
HOLT, CLIFF
HURRICANE FAMILY PHARMACY OWNER
Individual HURRICANE, UT
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
4
RICKETTS, MARLENE
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual OMAHA, NE
$3,300
Oct 24, 2024
5
IPSON, DON L.
N/A RETIRED
Individual SAINT GEORGE, UT
$3,300
Dec 27, 2023
6
MCMAHON, LINDA E.
MCMAHON VENTURES EXECUTIVE
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$3,300
Dec 15, 2023
7
SCHWAB, CHARLES
CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION CHAIRMAN
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Dec 19, 2023
8
ARNOLD, JOHN
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual HOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Mar 26, 2024
9
BURGESS, BRETT
DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC. PRESIDENT
Individual SAINT GEORGE, UT
$3,300
Mar 29, 2024
10
DEATON, TYLER
ALLEGIANCE STRATEGIES, LLC PRESIDENT
Individual CALHOUN, GA
$3,300
Mar 20, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 32 nodes and 39 connections

Total contributions: $513,270

Top Donors - Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

10 Orgs11 Individuals