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HR 9444

Support our Firefighters Act

119th Congress Introduced by Don Bacon and 7 co-sponsors

HR 9444 would create rest and recuperation leave for federal workers actively firefighting, to rest, recover, and maintain readiness.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9444

Summary of HR 9444 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

  • HR 9444 aims to amend Title 5, United States Code, to provide rest and recuperation leave for federal employees engaged in wildland firefighting. The bill seeks to recognize the demanding and hazardous nature of wildfire suppression work and ensure that eligible personnel receive dedicated leave to rest and recover.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of Rest and Recuperation Leave:
    • Creates a dedicated leave category for federal employees who are actively engaged in wildland firefighting operations.
    • The leave is intended to be used for rest and recuperation, acknowledging the strenuous and high-stress conditions faced during firefighting deployments.
  • Eligibility and applicability:
    • The bill would specify which federal employees are eligible (e.g., those involved in wildland firefighting duties, potentially including seasonal, temporary, and permanent staff who are deployed to firefighting incidents).
    • Rules governing accrual, use, and approval of rest and recuperation leave would be defined within the framework of Title 5 provisions (consistent with other forms of federally recognized leave, such as annual leave, sick leave, and other special leave statutes).
  • Interplay with existing leave policies:
    • The legislation would align the new leave with established federal leave administration, including how it is requested, approved, tracked, and documented.
    • It may specify carryover, scheduling constraints, and any limits on the amount of rest and recuperation leave that can be used within a given period, in line with federal leave norms.

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries:
    • Federal employees engaged in or deployed for wildland firefighting duties (e.g., personnel within agencies such as the Department of Agriculture (Forest Service), Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, etc.), and other agencies with wildland firefighting responsibilities as applicable by the bill).
  • Administrative and managerial impact:
    • Agency human resources offices would implement tracking and approval processes for rest and recuperation leave.
    • Supervisors coordinating firefighting deployments would need to plan for leave usage to maintain workforce readiness during high-fire seasons.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referrals:
    • Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, with additional referrals to the Agriculture and Natural Resources committees for provisions within their jurisdictions.
  • Next procedural steps:
    • The committees would review the bill, potentially hold hearings or markups, and, if favorable, report it to the full House for consideration.
    • Floor consideration would determine the bill’s advancement, amendments, or passage.
  • Status as of the provided date:
    • Introduced and referred on June 24, 2026. Co-sponsors include Joe Neguse, Josh Harder, Jack Bergman, Jimmy Panetta, and Don Bacon.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Employee wellbeing and retention:
    • By providing dedicated rest and recuperation leave, the bill could help reduce burnout and improve safety and performance among wildland firefighters.
  • Operational readiness:
    • Agencies would need to balance leave usage with ongoing firefighting operations, potentially influencing staffing plans and incident response efficiency during peak fire seasons.
  • Fiscal implications:
    • The creation of new leave allowances may have budgetary and actuarial impacts related to federal employee leave accruals and related benefits.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated aims and provisions as described in the available action history. For a complete understanding, including precise eligibility criteria, accrual rates, and administrative rules, the full text of HR 9444 and any committee reports would be necessary once released.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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