Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) is celebrating the inclusion of his White Sage Fire recovery amendment to the 2026 Farm Bill.
The new Farm Bill comes nearly eight years after the 2016 Farm Bill, which was initially set to sunset in 2023. However, Congress voted to extend programs contained within the 2016 bill rather than draft a new one from scratch.
The White Sage Fire began on July 9th, 2025, in Arizona, and its outbreak was just days apart from that of the better-known Dragon Bravo Fire.
Driven by hot, dry, windy weather and ignited by lightning, the White Sage Fire burned 58,985 acres in the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
Rep. Crane's amendment to the 2026 Farm Bill is modeled after his North Rim Restoration Act, which passed the House in March.
Like the North Rim Restoration Act, the amendment grants the U.S. Forest Service emergency contracting authorities to bypass unnecessary red tape and reduce bureaucratic delays, and the Forest Service must issue full-scope reports every 180 days to ensure accountability.
"Page, Fredonia, the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, and other impacted communities were dealt a setback due to the devastating White Sage Fire," the Arizona congressman said in a press release. "In response, I'm honored to have introduced and passed an amendment to help pave the way to a full and timely recovery."
Additionally, Crane highlighted the passage of an amendment introduced by Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ), which reforms evidence standards for compensating livestock ranchers who lose animals to Mexican wolves.
Crane further signed on as the sole cosponsor of an amendment introduced by Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), which removes pesticide liability protections.
"I'm also grateful for the leadership of Representatives Gosar and Luna, who successfully passed provisions that assist our ranchers and help protect our food supply," Crane continued. "These results advance critical priorities for rural Arizonans, and I'm thankful for the positive outcomes."
