On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a legislative hearing on the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025. This marked the first significant Senate action on the bill since it unanimously passed the House of Representatives on March 16, 2026.
The hearing follows the devastating Dragon Bravo Fire, which burned nearly 150,000 acres in Northern Arizona and destroyed more than 100 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. The fire left park staff, small business owners, and gateway communities grappling with decreased tourism, lost revenue, and long-term uncertainty.
In the immediate aftermath of the fire, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) visited the region to meet with park staff, local officials, and small business owners to craft a federal response. Stakeholders consistently agreed that granting the National Park Service (NPS) emergency contracting authority to cut through red tape and accelerate rebuilding would best serve those impacted. On October 9, 2025, Rep. Crane introduced H.R. 5729, the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025, incorporating that feedback directly into the bill.
The legislation grants the NPS emergency contracting authority to bypass standard delays, covering all fire-related recovery efforts, including forest management, maintenance, rebuilding, and infrastructure improvements. To maintain transparency and accountability, the bill also requires the NPS to submit a comprehensive report to Congress every 180 days.
The bill quickly gained bipartisan support, earning an endorsement from the Coconino County Board of Supervisors along with cosponsorships from Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), Celeste Maloy (R-UT), and Tom Tiffany (R-WI). The Congressional Western Caucus also backed the approach under the leadership of the late Chairman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), who tragically passed away earlier this year.
In December, John Dillon, a small business owner and lifelong advocate for the Grand Canyon, briefed the House Committee on Natural Resources on the necessity of the legislation. Shortly after hearing his testimony, the committee unanimously advanced the bill. The House of Representatives followed suit on March 16, 2026, with no Member objecting to the legislation.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Charles Cuvelier, Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection at the National Park Service, testified in support of the measure, underscoring growing momentum as the bill advances toward full Senate consideration. To view Associate Director Cuvelier’s testimony, please click here.
After the hearing, Rep. Crane applauded the Senate committee’s action as a critical step forward in delivering relief to the region.
“Last July, the Dragon Bravo Fire dealt a serious setback to Northern Arizona, inflicting harm on park staff, gateway communities, and local businesses. In response, I’m grateful to have collaborated with key stakeholders on a federal response that will help rebuild this iconic destination,” said Rep. Crane. “With this week’s activity in the Senate, we are getting closer to delivering much-needed relief to those impacted by this destructive fire. I appreciate the leadership of Senator Mike Lee for prioritizing this bill, and I’m hopeful we can get this across the finish line.”