The FIRE Act (H.R. 6387) proposes changes to how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) handles air quality data under the Clean Air Act. It focuses on 'exceptional events,' which are unusual occurrences that can temporarily affect air quality. The bill allows certain human activities that mimic natural events to be considered exceptional events, meaning their impact on air quality data can be excluded from regulatory considerations. It also removes previous exclusions for high temperatures, lack of rain, and stagnant air masses from being considered exceptional events. The EPA is required to update its regulations for handling air quality data affected by wildfire risk mitigation efforts. Additionally, when multiple states report the same exceptional event, the EPA must conduct regional analysis and modeling.
Supporters of the FIRE Act argue that it provides a more realistic approach to managing air quality data by recognizing the impact of human activities that are similar to natural events. They believe this will help states better manage air quality standards without being unfairly penalized for events beyond their control, particularly in regions prone to wildfires. The bill is seen as a step toward more flexible and responsive environmental regulation.
Critics of the FIRE Act express concerns that the bill could lead to a weakening of air quality standards by allowing more data to be excluded from regulatory consideration. They argue that this could result in less stringent enforcement of air quality standards, potentially harming public health. Environmental groups are particularly worried that the bill may prioritize economic or development interests over environmental protection and public health.
Based on the available data, the risk of conflicts of interest between the sponsor's donors and the bill's subject matter appears to be low. The sponsor, Gabe Evans, has received significant contributions from the Retired, Securities & Investment, and Government sectors, but none of these industries directly overlap with the subject matter of the bill. Furthermore, while there is lobbying activity in the bill's policy area, the specific entities involved and the amounts of their contributions are largely undisclosed. Therefore, it is difficult to establish a clear money trail or potential conflicts based on this data. The disclosed lobbying amounts, $67,545 from the American College of Gastroenterology and $60,000 from HRP Group, LLC, do not directly link to the sponsor's top donor industries.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN COLLEGE OF GASTROENTEROLOGY | AMERICAN COLLEGE OF GASTROENTEROLOGY | $67,545 |
| HRP GROUP, LLC | BGR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | $60,000 |
| ETSY | PUBLIC PRIVATE STRATEGIES | $45,000 |
| REVVITY, INC. | REVVITY, INC. | $35,000 |
| AMERICARBON | SUNDAY CREEK HORIZONS, LLC | $20,000 |
| APPALACHIAN CHILDREN COALITION | SUNDAY CREEK HORIZONS, LLC | $10,000 |
| FIRSTHEALTH OF THE CAROLINAS | FIRSTHEALTH OF THE CAROLINAS | undisclosed |
| BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK, LLP OBO MEDEXPERT INTERNATIONAL, INC. | NET CENTRIC ALLIANCE LLC | undisclosed |
| BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK, LLP OBO INVACARE AMERICA | NET CENTRIC ALLIANCE LLC | undisclosed |
| BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK, LLP OBO EPTURA, INC. | NET CENTRIC ALLIANCE LLC | undisclosed |
| BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK, LLP OBO WELLHIVE | NET CENTRIC ALLIANCE LLC | undisclosed |
| JUVENILE PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (JPMA) | ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS | undisclosed |
| BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK, LLP OBO BEEP, INC. | NET CENTRIC ALLIANCE LLC | undisclosed |
| BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK, LLP OBO BRUNO INDEPENDENT LIVING AIDS,INC | NET CENTRIC ALLIANCE LLC | undisclosed |
| TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Gabe Evans, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)