Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB135

Introduced
1/16/25  

Caption

Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025

Impact

The enactment of SB135 would result in a formalized pay structure specifically for wildland firefighters, which would include higher base rates that replace the current General Schedule base rates applicable to these workers. This change is expected to improve the financial security of firefighters who often work under precarious conditions during wildfire incidents. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for rest and recuperation leave, ensuring that deployed firefighters receive necessary time off to recover after intense work periods, thus promoting better mental and physical health among these essential personnel.

Summary

SB135, known as the 'Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025', seeks to amend Title 5 of the United States Code by establishing special base pay rates for wildland firefighters. The bill recognizes the unique challenges and hazards faced by these firefighters, specifically those employed by the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior, and proposes to increase their base salary significantly compared to the standard General Schedule rates applicable to federal employees. This legislation aims to provide fair compensation for the crucial work these individuals perform in protecting natural resources and communities from wildfires.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding SB135 have highlighted some contention regarding its fiscal implications, particularly around how the proposed pay increases would be funded. Critics of the bill might raise concerns about budget constraints within federal firefighting programs and whether the additional expenses could negatively impact other areas of wildfire management. Furthermore, there may be discussions about equity—ensuring that all public safety employees receive adequate compensation for their labor. The bill calls for assessments of compensation to ensure consistency and fairness, indicating a structured approach to addressing potential disparities.

Congress_id

119-S-135

Policy_area

Government Operations and Politics

Introduced_date

2025-01-16

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

US HB743

Tim’s Act Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act

US HB435

Direct Hire To Fight Fires

US SB902

Wildfire Response and Preparedness Act of 2025

US HB1923

Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act of 2025

US SB142

Wildland Firefighters Congressional Gold Medal ActThis bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to wildland firefighters in recognition of their strength, resiliency, sacrifice, and service to protect the forests, grasslands, and communities of the United States.

US SB647

Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act of 2025

US SB306

Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025This bill provides statutory authority for existing wildfire response services of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and establishes new programs and collaborative efforts to improve fire forecasting and readiness.  Specifically, in addition to other efforts, the bill directs NOAA to establish a coordinated fire weather services program to support readiness for and responsiveness to wildfires, fire weather, smoke, post-fire flooding and debris, and related hazards;develop a digital presence to promote access to and use of the services, tools, data, and information produced by the fire weather services program;establish a fire weather test bed to facilitate the evaluation and implementation of new capabilities, including through research and development on the use of uncrewed aircraft systems (commonly known as drones) to improve data collection;conduct an annual assessment after the close of fire weather season to investigate data gaps and update systems as needed;evaluate and update, as appropriate, the Automated Surface Observing System (the primary surface weather network in the United States) and the system used to rate the risk of wildfire; andestablish an Incident Meteorologist Service within the National Weather Service to provide on-site support before, during, and after significant weather-related events.The bill also exempts federal wildland firefighters, fire management response officials, and accompanying incident meteorologists and management teams from certain premium pay limitations. Finally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate and report on the implementation of the fire weather services program, among other topics. 

US HB178

This bill sets out requirements for wildfire suppression and management activities carried out by the Forest Service.These requirements apply to Forest Service land that (1) has a severe, extreme, or exceptional drought intensity rating; (2) has a National Wildland Fire Preparedness level of 5 (i.e., the highest level of wildland fire activity); or (3) is located in a fireshed ranked in the top 10% of wildfire exposure.Within 24 hours of detecting a wildfire on such Forest Service land, the service must use all available resources to extinguish the wildfire. Additionally, the service may not inhibit the firefighting activities of state and local agencies that are authorized to respond to wildfires on the Forest Service land.Further, the service may only initiate a backfire or burnout as part of a fire suppression strategy if it is ordered by the responsible incident commander or is necessary to protect the health and safety of firefighting personnel. The service must use all available resources to control any initiated fire until it is extinguished.The bill also limits the service's use of prescribed fires (i.e., the controlled application of fire by a team of experts under specified weather conditions to restore health to ecosystems that depend on fire). When using prescribed fires as a fire resource management tool, the service must comply with applicable laws and regulations and immediately suppress any prescribed fire that exceeds its prescription.