Community wildfire defense research program

(a) In general The Secretaries shall, acting jointly, expand the Joint Fire Science Program to include a performance-driven research and development program known as the Community Wildfire Defense Research Program for the purpose of testing and advancing innovative designs to create or improve the wildfire-resistance of structures and communities. (b) Program priorities In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretaries shall evaluate opportunities to create wildfire-resistant structures and communities through— (1) different affordable building materials, including mass timber; (2) home hardening, including policies to incentivize and incorporate defensible space; (3) subdivision design and other land use planning and design; (4) landscape architecture; and (5) other wildfire-resistant designs, as determined by the Secretary. (c) Community wildfire defense innovation prize (1) In general In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretaries shall carry out a competition through which a person may submit to the Secretaries innovative designs for the creation or improvement of an ignition-resistant structure or fire-adapted communities. (2) Prize Subject to the availability of appropriations made in advance for such purpose, the Secretaries may award a prize under the competition described in paragraph (1), based on criteria established by the Secretaries and in accordance with paragraph (3). (3) Scale In awarding a prize under paragraph (2), the Secretaries shall prioritize for an award designs with the most potential to scale to existing infrastructure. (d) Collaboration and nonduplication In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretaries shall ensure collaboration and nonduplication of activities with the Building Technologies Office of the Department of Energy. (e) Sunset The program established under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.

(a) In general The Secretaries shall, acting jointly, expand the Joint Fire Science Program to include a performance-driven research and development program known as the Community Wildfire Defense Research Program for the purpose of testing and advancing innovative designs to create or improve the wildfire-resistance of structures and communities. (b) Program priorities In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretaries shall evaluate opportunities to create wildfire-resistant structures and communities through— (1) different affordable building materials, including mass timber; (2) home hardening, including policies to incentivize and incorporate defensible space; (3) subdivision design and other land use planning and design; (4) landscape architecture; and (5) other wildfire-resistant designs, as determined by the Secretary. (c) Community wildfire defense innovation prize (1) In general In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretaries shall carry out a competition through which a person may submit to the Secretaries innovative designs for the creation or improvement of an ignition-resistant structure or fire-adapted communities. (2) Prize Subject to the availability of appropriations made in advance for such purpose, the Secretaries may award a prize under the competition described in paragraph (1), based on criteria established by the Secretaries and in accordance with paragraph (3). (3) Scale In awarding a prize under paragraph (2), the Secretaries shall prioritize for an award designs with the most potential to scale to existing infrastructure. (d) Collaboration and nonduplication In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretaries shall ensure collaboration and nonduplication of activities with the Building Technologies Office of the Department of Energy. (e) Sunset The program established under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.