S. 1743: Forest Data Modernization Act of 2023

FIA's strategic plan must describe in detail the organization and procedures necessary to

• understand and report on changes in land cover and use, and
• evaluate carbon-related data variables.

FIA must update the strategic plan not later than 180 days after this bill's enactment to include, among other things

• a plan to implement nationally consistent data collection protocols and procedures to improve the statistical precision of base program estimates;
• pathways to integrate and report on changes in forest carbon, including below-ground carbon;
• plans to collaborate with other federal agencies, nonfederal partners, and the private sector to integrate existing nationally available data sets and best available commercial technologies; and
• a plan to increase transparency and clarity in reporting.

FIA (1) must establish an office, a data platform, or both to process and respond to complex data requests submitted by external organizations; and (2) may impose fees on the organizations submitting the requests.