What does Preamble of Tim’s Act do?

This bill aims to reform and enhance pay and benefits of Federal wildland firefighters The bill was introduced to the House of Representatives It was referred to multiple committees for consideration

What does WILDLAND FIRE INCIDENT RESPONSE PREMIUM PAY. of Tim’s Act do?

This section amends subchapter V of chapter 55 of title 5, United States Code, to establish incident response premium pay for wildland firefighters. The premium pay is available to Forest Service and Department of the Interior employees who are wildland firefighters or certified to perform related duties during deployment to a qualifying incident. A 'qualifying incident' includes wildfires, prescribed fire incidents, or incidents determined similar by the Secretaries of Agriculture or the Interior, excluding initial responses contained within 36 hours. Eligible employees receive a daily rate of 450 percent of their hourly basic pay, capped at the rate for GS-10 step 10 and a total annual amount of $9,000. The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior will assess and report on premium pay amounts and may administratively adjust them to ensure compensation consistency with fiscal year 2023. Incident response premium pay is not considered basic pay and is excluded from certain calculations, such as annual leave payments and overtime pay.

What does SPECIAL LIMITATIONS ON PAY FOR WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS. of Tim’s Act do?

This section amends Title 5, United States Code, to establish special limitations on premium pay for wildland firefighters. It defines terms such as 'covered employee,' 'covered services,' 'emergency wildland fire suppression activities,' and 'premium pay' for the purposes of these limitations. Premium pay earned by covered employees for covered services will be disregarded when calculating limitations under sections 5547 and 5307. Pay disregarded under these provisions cannot exceed the rate of basic pay payable for a position at level II of the Executive Schedule. The Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture can waive these limits, but must first establish criteria after consulting with each other. Additional pay resulting from this section cannot be used in computing lump-sum payments for annual leave. The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture are required to maintain records documenting the use of this authority. For calendar year 2025, incident standby premium pay is included in premium pay subject to existing limits. The amendments generally take effect on January 1, 2026, with a specific provision for calendar year 2025 taking effect on October 1, 2025.

What does REST AND RECUPERATION LEAVE FOR EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN WILDLAND of Tim’s Act do?

This section amends Title 5, United States Code, to provide rest and recuperation leave for employees engaged in wildland firefighting. Covered employees include those who qualify as wildland firefighters or are certified to perform wildland fire incident related duties. Rest and recuperation leave is subject to policies established by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior. Leave must be used immediately after a qualifying incident and cannot be set aside for later use. Employees with intermittent work schedules are excused from duty and receive payment as if entitled to rest and recuperation leave.

What does HEALTH PROVISIONS. of Tim’s Act do?

This section establishes the "Federal Wildland Firefighter Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Database" to track chronic diseases in current and former Federal wildland firefighters. The database must be publicly accessible, searchable, and updated at least annually. The Secretaries are directed to develop and adhere to recommendations for minimizing exposure to environmental hazards for Federal wildland firefighters. A mental health program for Federal wildland firefighters is required, including awareness campaigns, education and training, peer support networks, and expansion of the Critical Incident Stress Management Program. Federal wildland firefighters are entitled to 7 consecutive days of mental health leave annually, without loss of pay, which does not accumulate or count as annual/vacation leave. The Secretaries can collaborate with other agencies, universities, or non-profit institutions to implement these provisions. The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) must recognize post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological stress-related injuries correlated to fire protection activities and ensure long-term coverage. OWCP is also directed to expand the Special Claims Unit to expedite claims processing for injured wildland firefighters.

What does RETIREMENT FOR FIREFIGHTERS. of Tim’s Act do?

This section addresses retirement benefits for Federal wildland firefighters. It allows crediting service performed as a Federal wildland firefighter after January 1, 1989, for retirement deductions under chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, if the firefighter submits a written election and meets deposit requirements. It establishes that Federal wildland firefighters suffering from specific diseases due to environmental job-related exposure are considered disabled for purposes of section 8451 of title 5, shortening the required service time from 18 months to 12 months. It amends section 8331(3) of title 5 to include overtime pay received by Federal wildland firefighters as basic pay. It modifies section 8423(a)(1)(B)(i) of title 5 to establish a separate normal-cost percentage for Federal wildland firefighters.

What does PAY PARITY FOR FEDERAL STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTERS. of Tim’s Act do?

This section establishes pay parity for Federal structural firefighters with Federal wildland firefighters. The pay, benefits, and bonuses for Federal structural firefighters must be comparable to those provided for Federal wildland firefighters within one year of the Act's enactment. A report on the competitiveness of Federal structural firefighter pay compared to Federal wildland firefighter pay will be submitted to Congress. The term 'Federal structural firefighter' is defined as a firefighter as defined in section 8401 of chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, excluding Federal wildland firefighters.

What does PAY ADJUSTMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS. of Tim’s Act do?

This section mandates annual adjustments to the basic rate of pay for Federal wildland firefighters based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Within one year of establishing a pay scale, the Secretaries must report to Congress on whether Federal wildland firefighter compensation is comparable to that of non-Federal firefighters. Federal wildland firefighters performing hazardous duties, such as parachuting or tree climbing, are entitled to hazardous duty pay. A recruitment and retention bonus program, with a minimum of $1,000, is established for Federal wildland firefighters, adjusted annually by the CPI, and paid upon successful completion of a work capacity test. Federal wildland firefighters deployed more than 50 miles from their primary residence are eligible for a housing allowance. A voluntary tuition assistance program is established to provide Federal wildland firefighters with up to $4,000 annually for educational experiences. The Secretaries are required to annually review the tuition assistance program amount to ensure it remains adequate, considering inflation.

What does WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT CASUALTY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. of Tim’s Act do?

This section establishes a Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance Program (referred to as the “Program”). The Secretary of the Interior must develop the Program within six months of the Act's enactment. The Program is intended to provide assistance to the next-of-kin of firefighters and wildland fire support personnel who suffer illness, are critically injured, or are killed in the line of duty. The Program will address notifications to next-of-kin, reimbursement of travel expenses, and qualifications for casualty assistance officers. It will also provide centralized case management, information on federal benefits, and mechanisms for addressing complaints. The Program will coordinate with other federal agencies like the Department of Justice and the Social Security Administration. Data collection on casualty assistance will be conducted in consultation with the United States Fire Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The Program does not affect existing authorities for Line of Duty Death benefits. “Next-of-kin” is defined as a surviving spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, or other relatives, with priority determined by a specific order.

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Tim’s Act

Q: What does SPECIAL BASE RATES OF PAY FOR WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS. of Tim’s Act do?

This section amends subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, to insert a new section 5332a regarding special base rates of pay for wildland firefighters. The new section defines key terms including 'firefighter', 'General Schedule base rate', 'special base rate', and 'wildland firefighter'. Wildland firefighters are entitled to a special base rate at grades 1 through 15, which replaces the otherwise applicable General Schedule base rate. The special base rate is computed by increasing the General Schedule base rate by a specified percentage for each grade and rounding to the nearest whole dollar. The amendments also apply to prevailing rate employees who are wildland firefighters, with wage rates increased by an amount consistent with the percentage increases given to wildland firefighters in the General Schedule.

Last updated: 3/7/2025 · Introduced: 1/28/2025

Author: Joe Neguse (D-CO)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes special base rates of pay for wildland firefighters, increasing their General Schedule base rate by a specified percentage for each grade.
It creates incident response premium pay for wildland firefighters deployed to qualifying incidents, providing a daily rate up to $9,000 annually, capped at a GS-10 step 10 rate.
The bill establishes limitations on premium pay for wildland firefighters, ensuring it doesn't exceed the rate of basic pay payable for a position at level II of the Executive Schedule, with potential waivers.
It mandates the creation of a Federal Wildland Firefighter Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Database and establishes a mental health program, including annual mental health leave for firefighters.
The legislation aims to provide pay parity for Federal structural firefighters, ensuring their compensation is comparable to that of Federal wildland firefighters.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 4671(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, special base rates of pay for wildland firefighters., and 9 more.

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