Legislation of the 111th Congress
 


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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, or the House Legislative Research Center at (202) 226-5200, fax (202) 226-4362 or the Senate Document Room at (202) 224-7860, fax (202) 228-2815.

CFSI Current Legislation Highlights - UPDATED 10/23/2009

Title

Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009
Bill Number H.R. 3791
Sponsor H.R. 3791 Introduced by Congressman Harry Mitchell (AZ-5) on October 13, 2009.
Summary Reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) Grant Program and SAFER Grant Program through Fiscal Year 2014. 
Title Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act
Bill Number

H.R. 413
S. 1611
Sponsor

H.R. 413 Introduced by Congressman Dale Kildee (MI-5) on January 9, 2009.
S. 1611 Introduced by Senator Judd Gregg (NH) on August 8, 2009. 

Summary Provides collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by states or local governments.
Title Fallen Heroes Flag Act
Bill Number H.R. 415
Sponsor H.R. 415 Introduced by Congressman Peter King (NY-3) on January 9, 2009.
Summary To provide Capitol-flown flags to the immediate family of firefighters, law enforcement offices, emergency medical technicians, and other rescue workers who are killed in the line of duty.
Title Protect Children from Dangerous Lighters Act
Bill Number

S. 723
H.R. 2050
Sponsor

S. 723 Introduced by Senator Ron Wyden on March 26, 2009.
H.R. 2050 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. 
Title Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act
Bill Number

H.R. 1194
S.2947

Sponsor H.R. 1194 Introduced by Congressman James Langevin (RI-2) on February 25, 2009.
S. 2947 Introduced by Senator Thomas Carper (DE) on January 22, 2010. 
Summary The legislation will classify the retrofit of automatic fire sprinkler systems as five-year property for purposes of tax depreciation.
Title Federal Fire Fighters Fairness Act
Bill Number

H.R. 948
S. 599
Sponsor

H.R. 948 Introduced by Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) on February 10, 2009.
S. 599 Introduced by Senator Thomas Carper (DE) on March 16, 2009.
Summary

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.
Title Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Job Protection Act
Bill Number S. 1025
Sponsor S. 1025 Introduced by Senator Thomas Carper (DE) on May 12, 2009. 
Summary Protects the employment status of volunteer emergency services personnel responding to a Presidentially-declared national disaster for up to 14 days per calendar year.
Title Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act
Bill Number

H.R. 2136
S. 1791
Sponsor

H.R. 2136 Introduced by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11) on April 28, 2009.
S. 1791 Introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (OH) on October 15, 2009.

Summary 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.

Approved Legislation

Title

 Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations

Bill Number

H.R. 2892

Sponsor

H.R. 2892 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. 

Title

 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Bill Number

 H.R. 1

Sponsor

 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.

Title

 Establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety Month

Bill Number

 S. Res. 40
H. Res. 167

Sponsor

 S. Res. 40 Introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ) on February 12, 2009. 
H. Res. 167 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.

Title

 Resolution designating a “National Firefighters Memorial Day”

Bill Number

 H. Res. 729

Sponsor

 H. Res. 729 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. 

Legislation from the 110th Congress and beyond