H.R. 5631 117th Congress House

Tim’s Act

Official title: To reform and enhance the pay and benefits of Federal wildland firefighters, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 19, 2021 Introduced by: Joe Neguse Democratic · Colorado See on congress.gov

Government Operations and Politics CancerCardiovascular and respiratory healthCongressional oversightDisability assistance

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Employee benefits and pensionsEmployee hiringEmployee leaveFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementHigher educationMental healthVocational and technical educationWages and earningsWorker safety and health

Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Nov 3, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.

Oct 27, 2021

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Oct 21, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Oct 19, 2021

Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Oct 19, 2021

Introduced in House

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Latest action November 3, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act or Tim's Act

This bill addresses the pay and benefits of federal wildland firefighters and related issues. Federal wildland firefighter is defined as any temporary, seasonal, or permanent position at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Department of the Interior that maintains certain group, emergency incident management, or fire qualifications and primarily engages in or supports wildland fire management activities.

Specifically, (1) the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must establish one or more classification series for federal wildland firefighter positions, and (2) USDA and the Department of the Interior shall determine each position within USDA and Interior that qualifies as a federal wildland firefighter position.

The bill, among other requirements (1) establishes a pay scale for such positions, with annual adjustments; and (2) provides for hazardous duty pay. The OPM must establish guidelines for work schedules.

The bill addresses issues regarding wages, unpaid leave to care for a family member, recruitment and retention bonuses, and housing allowances.

USDA and Interior shall (1) establish, maintain, coordinate, and operate a voluntary tuition assistance program; (2) establish and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable Federal Wildland Firefighter Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Database; and (3) establish and carry out a program for mental health awareness and support.

Additionally, the bill provides for continuation of firefighters pension coverage in case of disability and pay parity for federal structural firefighters.

Bill text 1 version