Bills · S 135
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 135First responders and emergency personnelForests, forestry, trees
Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 16· LAST ACTION JAN 16
READING
15MIN
COSPONSORS
9BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it addresses the critical issue of compensation for federal wildland firefighters, who face dangerous conditions and demanding work protecting communities and natural resources. Currently, many of these firefighters rely on temporary pay supplements, which can create uncertainty about their future earnings. If this bill becomes law, it would provide a permanent and significant increase to their base pay, offering greater financial stability and potentially improving recruitment and retention in these essential roles.
Without this bill, federal wildland firefighters might continue to face stagnant base salaries, relying on temporary measures that could expire. This could lead to a brain drain, where experienced firefighters leave for better-paying jobs in other sectors or state/local agencies, weakening the federal government's capacity to respond to the increasing threat of wildland fires across the country. By making these pay increases permanent, the bill aims to recognize the unique hazards and importance of their work, ensuring that America has a skilled and dedicated wildland firefighting force.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes new "special base rates" of pay for federal wildland firefighters, replacing their existing General Schedule base rates.
This provision provides a permanent, direct pay raise to federal wildland firefighters, making their compensation more stable.
PROVISION 02
Increases the base pay for General Schedule wildland firefighters by percentages ranging from 1.5% (for GS-15) to 42% (for GS-1).
This details the specific pay increase structure, significantly boosting pay for lower-grade, frontline firefighters.
PROVISION 03
Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to increase the wages for prevailing rate (hourly) wildland firefighters consistent with the percentage increases for salaried firefighters.
This ensures that all federal wildland firefighters, regardless of their pay system, receive a comparable base pay increase.
PROVISION 04
Defines "wildland firefighter" as an employee of the Forest Service or Department of the Interior whose duties primarily relate to wildland fires.
This clarifies who is eligible for the new pay rates, focusing the benefits on those directly involved in wildland fire suppression.
PROVISION 05
Sets the effective date for the new pay rates to begin after the expiration of current temporary federal wildland firefighter salary increases.
This ensures a seamless transition from temporary pay supplements to permanent base salary increases.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 9
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
111
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 88%
DEM 4 REP 5 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 16
Introduced in Senate
JAN 16
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 135
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 16, 2025
Last actionJan 16, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025
Senate BillS 135First responders and emergency personnelForests, forestry, trees
Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JAN 16, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 16, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
15 min
COSPONSORS
9
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
