Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act of 2026
Provides a federal death gratuity to survivors of wildland firefighters and eligible contractors killed in the line of duty.
In the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee since Sept. 30, 2026, 8 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 30, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Wildland firefighters can suffer fatal injuries while fighting fires. The measure would provide a federal lump-sum death benefit when covered agency firefighters or qualifying contractors die from job-related injuries sustained in the line of duty. It would direct the payment to eligible survivors and allow firefighters to designate another recipient.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Provides a death gratuity for covered firefighters
The United States would pay a lump-sum benefit when a covered wildland firefighter or eligible contractor dies from injuries connected to service and sustained in the line of duty. The payment would equal the maximum death gratuity under section 8102a(a); coverage would include qualifying firefighters employed by the Forest Service, Interior agencies, or state or local firefighting entities, as well as contractors who meet the bill's requirements.
- Sets who receives the payment
The payment would generally go first to a surviving spouse, then to children in equal shares, followed by other eligible survivors in the order set by the bill. A firefighter could designate another person to receive a share in 10-percent increments; if the firefighter has a spouse and names someone else, the agency or other employer must notify the spouse.
- Adds the payment to other compensation
The death gratuity would be in addition to, not a replacement for, compensation payable under section 8133.
The practical stakes are whether survivors of covered wildland firefighters and contractors receive a federal lump-sum payment after a line-of-duty death, and who receives it. The payment would supplement, rather than replace, compensation under section 8133.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 30, 2026SENATESEP 30, 2026By Sen. Merkley with 1 original cosponsorReferred to Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 30, 2026HOMELAND SECURITY & GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS NOWSEP 30, 2026In committee for 8 daysNo hearing yet
- 8 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 302026SEP 30, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- SEP 302026SEP 30, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 8, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Merkley’s record: sponsored 137 bills this Congress. 7 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- John R. CurtisR-UTORIGINAL
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