The Local Employment Access for our Forests Act of 2025 modifies federal contracting rules to favor local businesses when the U.S. Forest Service awards contracts for hazardous fuel reduction projects on federal land. Under this bill, "appropriate local contractors"—defined as businesses with their principal place of business in the project state and at least 26 percent local workforce, or located within 60 miles of the project—receive preference in contract awards for activities like mechanical thinning, prescribed burning, tree removal, and restoration work aimed at reducing wildfire risk. The Forest Service must give these local contractors preference "to the maximum extent practicable" starting immediately upon enactment. The bill requires the agency to report to Congress within two years and annually thereafter on how many contracts went to local contractors, their total value, economic impacts on local employment, and explanations for any contracts awarded to non-local entities. No specific funding authorization is included in the legislation, as it modifies how existing hazardous fuel reduction funding is allocated rather than appropriating new money.
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