HR Bill 3499 Direct Hire To Fight Fires

Purpose and Summary

Chamber: House

Introduced date: 2023-05-18

Bill 118 hr 3499, also known as the Direct Hire To Fight Fires Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address the issue of staffing shortages in federal firefighting agencies by allowing for the direct hiring of qualified individuals to fight wildfires. The bill specifically targets the US Forest Service and the Department of the Interior, which have been struggling to fill critical firefighting positions in recent years. By streamlining the hiring process and removing certain barriers to entry, the bill aims to ensure that these agencies have the necessary personnel to effectively combat wildfires and protect public lands. One key provision of the bill is the authorization for the agencies to bypass certain competitive hiring requirements in order to quickly bring on board qualified individuals with firefighting experience. This is seen as a necessary step to address the urgent staffing needs of these agencies during wildfire season. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for training and certification of new hires, as well as measures to ensure that they are adequately compensated for their work. This is intended to attract and retain skilled firefighters, who play a crucial role in protecting communities and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfires. Overall, the Direct Hire To Fight Fires Act is a bipartisan effort to address a pressing issue facing federal firefighting agencies. By facilitating the recruitment and retention of qualified personnel, the bill aims to strengthen the nation's ability to respond to wildfires and protect public lands for future generations.

Recent Activity

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-714, Part I.

Alternative Names

Direct Hire To Fight Fires

Direct Hire To Fight Fires

To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide direct hire authority to appoint individuals to Federal wildland firefighting and firefighting support positions in the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes.

Associated Legislation

Direct Hire to Fight Fires Act of 2023

Policy Areas

Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact

Congressional oversight

Department of Agriculture

Department of the Interior

Employee hiring

Federal officials

Fires

First responders and emergency personnel

Forests, forestry, trees

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Government information and archives

Sponsors and Supporters

Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-48]

Cosponsors and Supporters

Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]

Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3]

Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]

Committees and Subcommittees

Natural Resources Committee

Federal Lands Subcommittee

Agriculture Committee

Forestry Subcommittee

Oversight and Accountability Committee

Variations and Revisions

Direct Hire To Fight Fires

11/9/2024, 1:58 AM

Direct Hire To Fight Fires

This bill provides permanent direct-hire authority to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to fill wildland firefighter and firefighting support positions in the ...

Bill 118 hr 3499, also known as the Direct Hire To Fight Fires Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address the issue of staffing shortages in federal firefighting agencies by al...
Congress
118

Number
HR - 3499

Introduced on
2023-05-18

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

5/18/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Direct Hire To Fight Fires

This bill provides permanent direct-hire authority to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to fill wildland firefighter and firefighting support positions in the ...

Bill 118 hr 3499, also known as the Direct Hire To Fight Fires Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address the issue of staffing shortages in federal firefighting agencies by al...
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend title 5, United States Code, to provide direct hire authority to appoint individuals to Federal wildland firefighting and firefighting support positions in the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact
Congressional oversight•
Department of Agriculture•
Department of the Interior•
Employee hiring•
Federal officials•
Fires•
First responders and emergency personnel•
Forests, forestry, trees•
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management•
Government information and archives

Comments

APPROVED
AA
Audrey Ashley
I wonder how this new bill will help with the fires. It seems like a good idea to hire more people to fight them. It could make a big difference for all of us who are affected by wildfires.

APPROVED
KA
Kye Alston
I'm all for this! How will it impact our communities in the short term?

APPROVED
AS
Aileen Strickland
I think this is a good idea. It will help a lot of people.

Recent Activity

Latest Summary6/11/2024

Direct Hire To Fight Fires

This bill provides permanent direct-hire authority to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to fill wildland firefighter and firefighting support positions in the ...


Latest Action10/22/2024
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-714, Part I.