Bill > HR1943

This bill provides comprehensive pay and leave protections for wildland firefighters employed by the Forest Service and Department of the Interior. It establishes special base pay rates that increase base salaries by percentages ranging from 1.5% to 42% depending on the employee's grade level (GS-1 through GS-15), ensuring these firefighters receive higher compensation that reflects the demanding and dangerous nature of their work. The bill also introduces incident response premium pay, which allows eligible wildland firefighters to earn up to 450% of their hourly rate (with a $9,000 annual cap) when deployed to qualifying wildfire, prescribed fire, or severity incidents outside their official duty station. Additionally, the legislation mandates rest and recuperation leave for these firefighters after completing deployment to a qualifying incident, recognizing the physical and mental toll of wildland firefighting. The bill aims to improve recruitment, retention, and support for these critical public safety professionals by providing more competitive compensation and acknowledging the unique challenges of their profession. The provisions will take effect after the expiration of temporary salary increases previously authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1943/all-info