Current Legislation
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The following is a select list of fire service legislation. Click on the bill number for further information on the legislation, including details on the status of the legislation, a list of co-sponsors, or to read the text of the bill. You may also visit Thomas, the Library of Congress Legislative Database, for information on legislation introduced during the current and past Congresses.
CFSI Current Legislative Highlights
- Fire Grants Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3791/S. 3267)
H.R. 3791 was introduced by Congressman Harry Mitchell (AZ-5) on October 13, 2009.
S. 3267 was introduced by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT) on April 27, 2010.
Summary: The bill reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) Grant Program and SAFER Grant Program through Fiscal Year 2014.
- Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act (H.R.1194/S. 2947)
H.R. 1194 was introduced by Congressman James Langevin (RI-2) on February 25, 2009.
S. 2947 was introduced by Senator Thomas Carper (DE) on January 22, 2010.
Summary: The legislation will classify the retrofit of automatic fire sprinkler systems in commercial properties as five-year property for purposes of tax depreciation.
- Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act (H.R.413/S. 1611)
H.R. 413 was introduced by Congressman Dale Kildee (MI-5) on January 9, 2009.
S. 1611 was introduced by Senator Judd Gregg (NH) on August 8, 2009.
Summary: The legislation provides collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by states or local governments.
- Federal Fire Fighters Fairness Act (H.R.948/S. 599)
H.R. 948 was introduced by Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) on February 10, 2009.
S. 599 was introduced by Senator Thomas Carper (DE) on March 16, 2009.
Summary: The legislation amends federal law to provide that, in the case of an employee in fire protection activities: (1) heart disease, lung disease, specified cancers and infectious diseases shall be presumed to be proximately caused by the employee's employment; (2) the disability or death of an employee in fire protection activities due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of such employee's duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence.
- Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Job Protection Act (S. 1025)
S. 1025 was introduced by Senator Thomas Carper (DE) on May 12, 2009.
Summary: The legislation protects the employment status of volunteer emergency services personnel responding to a Presidentially-declared national disaster for up to 14 days per calendar year.
- Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3666/S. 3136)
H.R. 3666 was introduced by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (WI-2) on September 29, 2009.
S. 3136 was introduced by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT) on March 18, 2010.
Summary: The legislation amends Internal Revenue Code provisions allowing a tax exclusion for benefits paid to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical providers by states and local government by: (1) increasing the amount of benefits excludible; and (2) extending such tax exclusion through 2013.
- Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act (H.R. 1792/S. 3319)
H.R. 1792 was introduced by Congressman Peter King (NY-3) on March 30, 2009.
S. 3319 was introduced by Senator Susan Collins (ME) on May 5, 2010.
Summary: The legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow sponsors of certain deferred compensation plans to elect to include length of service award plans for bona fide volunteers providing firefighting and fire prevention services, emergency medical services, ambulance services, and emergency rescue services.
- The Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act (H.R. 2136/S. 1791)
H.R. 2136 was introduced by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11) on April 28, 2009.
S. 1791 was introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (OH) on October 15, 2009.
Summary: The legislation directs the Secretary of Education to make competitive demonstration grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs), fraternities, and sororities for up to half the cost of installing fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in student housing and dormitories owned or controlled by such entities.
- Campus Fire Safety Education Act (S. 3142/H.R. 4908)
S. 3142 was introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ) on March 18, 2010.
H.R. 4908 was introduced by Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-8) on March 22, 2010.
Summary: The legislation establishes a grant program at the Department of Education to make awards to institutes of higher education for fire prevention and education programs.
- Protect Children from Dangerous Lighters Act (S. 723/H.R. 2050)
S. 723 was introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (OR) on March 26, 2009.
H.R. 2050 was introduced by Congressman Michael Michaud (ME-2) on April 22, 2009.
Summary: The legislation prohibits the manufacture, importation, and sale of toy-like "novelty" lighters.
- Fallen Heroes Flag Act (H.R. 415)
H.R. 415 was introduced by Congressman Peter King (NY-3) on January 9, 2009.
Summary: The legislation allows the Representative of the immediate family of a deceased public safety officer who died in the line of duty to provide the family, at their request, with a Capitol-flown flag, together with a certificate, signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Representative providing the flag, which contains an expression of sympathy for the family.
Approved Legislation
- Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations (H.R. 2892)
H.R. 2892 was introduced by Congressman David Price (NC-4) on June 16, 2009.
Summary: Appropriates funds for programs and activities of the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2010, including the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) Grant Program, the SAFER Grant Program, USFA, and FEMA.
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1)
H.R. 1 Introduced by Congressman David Obey (WI-7) on January 26, 2009.
Summary: The legislation makes supplemental appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009 including $210 million for competitive grants to upgrade, modify or construct fire stations, grants for broadband deployment, and funding to fight wildfires. The legislation also includes a waiver on the local match for the SAFER grant program for Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010.
- Establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety Month (S. Res. 40/H. Res. 167)
S. Res. 40 was introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ) on February 12, 2009.
H. Res. 167 was introduced by Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-8) on February 12, 2009.
Summary: A resolution supporting the establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety Month.
- Resolution designating a "National Firefighters Memorial Day" (S. Res. 40/H. Res. 167)
H. Res. 729 was introduced by Congressman Ted Poe (TX-2) on September 10, 2009.
Summary: Urges the President to designate a National Firefighters Memorial Day in conjunction with the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service and encourages the people of the United States to observe the day with the appropriate ceremonies.