H.R. 1450 would authorize Indian tribes and counties to retain the proceeds of timber sales under cooperative forestry agreements, also known as good neighbor agreements (GNAs). (Under current law, through October 1, 2023, only states can retain the proceeds from timber sales under GNAs to cover the costs of restoration and protection projects.) The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service enter into GNAs with states, federally recognized Indian tribes, and counties to carry out forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration and protection projects on federal land. The bill also would extend the authority to retain proceeds through October 1, 2028, for states, tribes, and counties.
Based on information from BLM and the Forest Service, CBO expects that without the authority to retain proceeds, timber sales under GNAs with states, tribes, and counties would not occur. On that basis, CBO estimates that enacting the bill would not affect direct spending. If such sales did occur in the absence of that authority, any income is classified in the federal budget as an offsetting receipt (or reduction in direct spending). CBO estimates that implementing the bill would have insignificant costs over the 2024-2028 period for managing additional GNAs with Indian tribes and counties through 2028. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
