Legislation of the 110th 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

Title

United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4847
S. 2606

Sponsor

H.R. 4847 Introduced by Congressman Harry Mitchell (AZ-5) on December 19, 2007.
S. 2240 Introduced by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT) on February 7, 2008.

Summary

Authorizes programs and activities of the United States Fire Administration.
Title Volunteer Firefighter and EMS Personnel Job Protection Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1643
S. 2240

Sponsor

H.R. 1643 Introduced by Congressman Robert Andrews (NJ-1) on March 22, 2007.
S. 2240 Introduced by Senator Thomas Carper (DE) on October 25, 2007.

Summary

Prohibits any employee from being terminated, demoted, or discriminated against because the employee is absent or late as a result of serving as a volunteer firefighter or providing volunteer emergency medical services as part of a response to a federally declared emergency or major disaster.

Title

Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act

Bill Number

S. 582
H.R. 1742

Sponsor

S. 582 Introduced by Senator Gordon Smith (OR) on February 14, 2007.
H.R. 1742 Introduced by Congressman James Langevin (RI) on March 28, 2007.

Summary

The legislation will classify the retrofit of automatic fire sprinkler systems as five-year property for purposes of tax depreciation.

Title

 Automated Defibrillation in Adam's Memory Reauthorization Act

Bill Number

S. 693

Sponsor

S. 693 Introduced by Senator Russ Feingold (WI) on February 27, 2007.

Summary

The legislation will reauthorize the Automated Defibrillation in Adam’s Memory Act  through 2011.  The Adam Act authorizes the use of grant funds to establish a national information clearinghouse that provides information to increase public access to defibrillation in schools.

Title

Campus Fire Safety Right to Know Act

Bill Number

H.R. 592
S. 354

Sponsor

H.R. 592 Introduced by Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ) on January 19, 2007.
S. 354 Introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ) on January 22, 2007.

Summary

Requires colleges and universities to provide to all current students and employees, and to any applicant for enrollment or employment upon request, an annual fire safety report containing specified information about the campus fire safety practices and standards of that institution.

 Title

 Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act

Bill Number

H.R. 943
S. 1466

Sponsor

H.R. 943 Introduced by Congressman John Larson (CT) on February 8, 2007.
S. 1466 Introduced by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT) on May 23, 2007.

Summary

The legislation will amend the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from income and employment taxes any property tax rebates or other benefits provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders. 

Title

College Fire Prevention Act

Bill Number

HR 642

Sponsor

H.R. 642 Introduced by Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH) on January 23, 2007.

Summary

Directs the Secretary of Education to make competitive demonstration grants to private or public colleges or universities, fraternities, or 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.

 Title

 Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007

Bill Number

H.R. 980
S. 2123

Sponsor

H.R. 980 Introduced by Congressman Dale Kildee (MI-5) on February 12, 2007. 
S. 2123 Introduced by Senator Judd Gregg (NH) on October 1, 2007.
 

Summary

Provides collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by states or local governments.

Title

Nursing Facility Fire Safety Act of 2007

Bill Number

H.R. 2521
S. 1615

Sponsor

H.R. 2521 Introduced by Congressman John Larson (CT-1) on May 24, 2007.
S. 1615 Introduced by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT) on June 13, 2007.

Summary

Establishes direct grants and loans for retrofitting nursing facilities with automatic fire sprinkler systems. 

 Title

Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2638
S. 1644

Sponsor

H.R. 2638 Introduced by Congressman David Price (NC-4) on June 6, 2007.
S. 1644 Introduced by Senator Robert Byrd (WV) on June 18, 2007. 

Summary

Appropriates funds for programs and activities of the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2008. 


Approved Legislation

Title

 Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act

Bill Number

 H.R. 2764

Sponsor

 H.R. 2764 Introduced by Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-18) on June 18, 2007.

Summary

 Consolidates 11 spending bills to appropriate funds for programs and activities for fiscal year 2008, including those under the Department of Homeland Security. 

Action

  

Title

Establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety Month

Bill Number

H. Res. 95
S. Res. 105

Sponsor

H. Res 95 Introduced by Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH) on January 24, 2007.
S. Res. 105 Introduced by Senator Joseph Biden on March 14, 2007. 

Summary

A resolution supporting the establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety Month.

Action

H. Res. 95 approved by House on September 25, 2007.
S. Res. 105 approved by Senate on June 20, 2007. 

Title

 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1
S. 4

Sponsor

H.R. 1 Introduced by Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS) on January 5, 2007.
S. 4 Introduced by Senator Harry Reid (NV) on January 4, 2007.

Summary

The legislation implementation of recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) including “risk-based” allocation of first responder grants and establishing interoperable communications systems.

Action

President signed into law on August 3, 2007.  

Title

Resolution to Memorialize Fallen Firefighters

Bill Number

S. Res. 171

Sponsor

S. Res. 171 Introduced by Senator Susan Collins (ME) on April 25, 2007.

Summary

A resolution memorializing America’s fallen firefighters and calling on flags at all federal facilities to be flown at half-staff on the day of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. 

Action

S. Res. 171 approved by Senate on June 11, 2007. 

Legislation from the 109th Congress and beyond