Current Legislative News
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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.
- Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 (H.R. 2055)
H.R. 2055 was introduced by Congressman John Culberson (TX-7) on May 31, 2011.
Summary: Appropriates funds for programs and activities of the federal government through the end of Fiscal Year 2011 (note: H.R. 2055 was originally introduced as the FY12 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act). H.R. 2055 was signed into law on December 23, 2011.
- Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act (S. 911)
S.911 was introduced by Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV (WV) on May 9, 2011.
Summary: The bill provides public safety providers an additional 10 megahertz of spectrum to support a national, interoperable wireless broadband network.
- Fire Grants Reauthorization Act (S. 550/H.R. 2269)
S. 550 was introduced by Senator Joseph Lieberman (CT) on March 10, 2011.
H.R. 2269 was introduced by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30) on June 22, 2011.
Summary: The bill reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE) Grant Program and SAFER Grant Program through Fiscal Year 2016.
- Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act (H.R. 1792/S. 1035)
H.R. 1792 was introduced by Congressman Aaron Schock (IL-18) on May 5, 2011.
S. 1035 was introduced by Senator Thomas Carper (DE) on May 19, 2011.
Summary: The legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include automated fire sprinkler systems as section 179 property and classify certain automated fire sprinkler systems as 15-year property for purposes of depreciation.
- United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2012 (S. 2188)
S. 2188 was introduced by Senator Joseph Lieberman (CT) on March 21, 2012.
Summary: The legislation reauthorizes the United States Fire Administration through 2017.
- Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act (H.R. 376/S. 1911)
H.R. 376 was introduced by Congressman Peter King (NY-3) on January 20, 2011.
S. 1911 was introduced by Senator Susan Collins (ME) on November 11, 2011.
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.
- Federal Firefighters Fairness Act (H.R. 1066)
H.R. 1066 was introduced by Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) on March 14, 2011.οΎ
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.
- Fallen Heroes Flag Act (H.R. 926)
H.R. 926 was introduced by Congressman Peter King (NY-3) on March 3, 2011.
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.
- Campus Fire Safety Education Act (H.R. 1199/S. 620)
H.R. 1199 was introduced by Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr (NJ-8) on March 17, 2011
S. 620 was introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ) on March 17, 2011
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.
- Establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety Month (S. Res. 104)
S. Res. 104 Introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ) on March 17, 2011.
Summary: A resolution supporting the establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety Month.
- Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act (H.R. 3250/S. 1766)
H.R. 3250 was introduced by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11) on October 24, 2011.
S. 1766 was introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (OH) on October 31, 2011.
Summary: The legislation directs the Secretary of Education to make competitive demonstration grants to institutions of higher education, 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.
- Safe Building Codes Incentive Act (H.R. 2069)
H.R. 2069 was introduced by Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-21) on June 1, 2011.
Summary: The bill would provide an additional 4-percent of funding available for post-disaster grants under a program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to states that adopt and enforce state-wide building codes.
- The Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 (H.R. 1473)
H.R. 1473 was introduced by Congressman Harold Rogers (KY-5) on April 11, 2011.
Summary: Appropriates funds for programs and activities of the federal government through the end of Fiscal Year 2011. H.R. 1473 was signed into law on April 15, 2011.
Don't understand the legislative process? Click here to read an in-depth description of the process.
What's the difference between authorization and appropriation? Click here for an explanation.