What does Preamble of Support our Firefighters Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide rest and recuperation leave for employees engaged in wildland firefighting, and for other purposes,' aims to amend Title 5 of the United States Code. The bill's purpose is to provide rest and recuperation leave for employees engaged in wildland firefighting.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Support our Firefighters Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Support our Firefighters Act.

What does REST AND RECUPERATION LEAVE FOR EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN WILDLAND of Support our Firefighters Act do?

This section amends Title 5 of the United States Code to establish rest and recuperation leave for wildland firefighters. The leave is available to 'covered employees' who are wildland firefighters or certified to perform related duties during deployments to 'qualifying incidents'. The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior are tasked with jointly prescribing uniform policies regarding the leave, including maximum deployment periods and minimum rest periods. Policies may require the use of rest and recuperation leave after specific deployment periods (e.g., 3 days after 14 days, 4 days after 21 days). The leave must be used during scheduled hours, is paid similarly to annual leave, and must be used immediately after a qualifying incident. Unused rest and recuperation leave cannot be paid out. Employees with intermittent work schedules are entitled to the same leave periods and receive payment as if they were on a standard schedule.

What does TRANSFER AUTHORITY. of Support our Firefighters Act do?

This section allows for the transfer of up to $5,000,000 from unobligated balances within the Department of Agriculture's wildland fire management funds. The funds may be transferred to the Department of the Interior's wildland fire management funds. This transfer is intended to ensure the continuation of federal wildland firefighter base salary increases. The transfer is authorized notwithstanding section 40803(c)(2) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

What does WAIVER OF OVERTIME CAPS FOR WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS. of Support our Firefighters Act do?

This section amends Section 1701 of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act. The amendment removes year-specific limitations (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024) related to overtime caps for wildland firefighters. The amendments replace these year-specific references with 'or any calendar year thereafter' or 'the applicable calendar year' in subsections (a)(1), (b), and (c).

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Support our Firefighters Act

Last updated: 3/26/2026 · Introduced: 3/26/2026

Author: Alex Padilla (D-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill establishes rest and recuperation leave for wildland firefighters and those performing related duties during deployments to qualifying incidents, requiring minimum rest periods after specific deployment lengths.
It authorizes the transfer of up to $5 million from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of the Interior to support continued federal wildland firefighter base salary increases.
The bill permanently removes overtime caps for wildland firefighters, eliminating previous year-specific limitations.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 3 more.

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