Brittany Pettersen (D-CO)
Wildfire Responder Protection Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Wildfire Responder Protection Act," seeks to amend title 5 of the United States Code. The primary goal is to modify certain requirements for employees engaged in fire protection activities regarding worker's compensation under chapter 81. It specifically targets adjustments to the definitions and scope of employee roles and activities. These changes involve adding specific job titles and expanding the types of activities covered.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill supports wildfire prevention and fuels reduction activities which aid environmental management.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The expansion of coverage for fuels reduction and planned ignition supports proactive land management.
- Scored +4
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill strengthens protections for those engaged in wildfire prevention and suppression activities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expanded job coverage: The bill adds specific roles such as fuels specialist, burn boss, and prescribed fire crew member to the scope of protected employees (Section 2).
-
Broader activity coverage: The amendment expands the scope of protected work to include planned ignition and fuels reduction (Section 2).
-
Updated employee status: By adding the phrase "for all or a substantial part of the year," the bill modifies how employees in these roles are identified (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Removal of existing provisions: The bill includes a provision to strike subparagraph (D), which removes a specific category or requirement currently found in Section 8143b of title 5 (Section 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill supports wildfire prevention and fuels reduction activities which aid environmental management. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The expansion of coverage for fuels reduction and planned ignition supports proactive land management. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill strengthens protections for those engaged in wildfire prevention and suppression activities.
- 8/31/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York