1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Root and Stem Project Authorization Act of 2023 . 2. Root and Stem projects (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Collaborative process The term collaborative process means a process that— (A) includes multiple interested persons representing diverse interests; and (B) (i) is transparent and nonexclusive; or (ii) meets the requirements for a resource advisory committee under subsections (c) through (f) of section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 ( 16 U.S.C. 7125 ). (2) Federal land The term Federal land means— (A) land of the National Forest System (as defined in section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1609(a) )); and (B) public lands (as defined in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1702 )). (3) Secretary concerned The term Secretary concerned means, as applicable— (A) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service; or (B) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. (b) List of contractors The Secretary concerned shall— (1) maintain a list of non-Federal, third-party contractors that the Secretary concerned can hire in each State to complete the analysis described in subsection (c)(1)