Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025

Senate Bill

S. 135

119th Congress

Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 16, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Alex Padilla

D - CA

Cosponsors

9

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Summary

This bill creates a specialized pay schedule for federal wildland firefighters in the Forest Service and Interior Department, with grade-based adjustments. It also provides premium pay for responding to prolonged fire incidents lasting more than 36 hours and paid rest and recuperation leave.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill creates a specialized pay schedule for federal wildland firefighters in the Forest Service and Interior Department, with grade-based adjustments. It also provides premium pay for responding to prolonged fire incidents lasting more than 36 hours and paid rest and recuperation leave.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025This bill establishes specialized pay for federal wildland firefighters.Specifically, the bill provides for a specialized pay schedule for wildland firefighters in the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior. The specialized pay schedule is based on the General Schedule, increased by a specified percentage depending on the position grade (the higher the grade, the lower the percentage adjustment).The bill also provides for specialized premium pay for wildland firefighters who respond to certain prolonged fire incidents (i.e., those that are not contained within 36 hours). It also provides for paid rest and recuperation leave in conjunction with such responses.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Creates specialized pay schedule for wildland firefighters
Provides premium pay for prolonged fire responses
Covers Forest Service and Interior Department firefighters
Includes paid rest and recuperation leave
Adjusts pay based on position grade

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Federal wildland firefighters would see increased compensation and better working conditions. Recruitment and retention of firefighters could improve. The Forest Service and Interior Department would have enhanced workforce stability during fire season.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Related Subjects

Congressional oversight

Employee leave

Fires

First responders and emergency personnel

Forests, forestry, trees

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Government information and archives

Wages and earnings

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

135, 119th Congress (2025). "Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-135