Maxine Dexter (D-OR)
Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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 Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Act, creates a comprehensive initiative to improve the health and wellbeing of federal wildland firefighters. It establishes an interagency task force, a health advisory panel, and a wellbeing program to tackle occupational hazards, toxic exposures, and mental health needs. The legislation directs federal agencies to conduct occupational safety and health research, establish new safety standards, and test respiratory protection equipment. It also requires the Department of Labor to set up a special claims handling unit for workers' compensation and ensures that firefighters receive paid duty time for hygiene and gear decontamination. Finally, the Government Accountability Office is directed to conduct regular studies to evaluate the progress of the wellbeing program.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into medical research?
The legislation provides funding and authorizes new offices within NIOSH for occupational safety and health research related to firefighting.
- Scored +5
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Many veterans transition into wildland firefighting roles and will directly benefit from enhanced health and safety protections.
- Scored +5
Would union members be better off under this?
Union representatives are included on the advisory panel, and the bill strengthens workplace protections for firefighting personnel.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Paid Decontamination and Hygiene Time (Section 8): Covered employees are provided regular duty time during wildfire operations, without loss of pay or benefits, to shower, perform personal hygiene, and clean contaminated gear and vehicles. This helps reduce firefighters' exposure to carcinogens and toxic substances.
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Health Screenings and Medical Monitoring (Section 4): The wellbeing program requires baseline medical exams upon hiring, annual tracking exams, and regular access to early-detection screenings for cancer and chronic cardiopulmonary disease. This ensures that health issues are caught early for individuals.
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Specialized Workers' Compensation Claims Handling (Section 7): The Secretary of Labor is directed to establish a special claims handling unit to process and adjudicate workers' compensation claims submitted by fire protection employees. Staff in this unit must receive specialized training on firefighting operational conditions and occupational exposures, which can help ensure claims are processed in a timely manner.
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Respiratory Protection Pilot Program (Section 5): The legislation establishes a pilot program to evaluate, test, and gather feedback on respiratory protection technologies for wildland firefighters. This provision aims to identify usable and effective equipment to reduce inhalation exposure to wildfire smoke and airborne hazards.
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Improved Access to Mental Health Support (Section 4): The wellbeing program expands prevention, education, and support services to address trauma and cumulative stress, build coping skills, and improve mental preparedness for wildland firefighters and support personnel.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline potential negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — Union representatives are included on the advisory panel, and the bill strengthens workplace protections for firefighting personnel. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Many veterans transition into wildland firefighting roles and will directly benefit from enhanced health and safety protections. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged wildland firefighters will benefit from long-term health surveillance, cancer screenings, and specialized medical care. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Wildland firefighting primarily occurs in rural and forested communities, protecting local environments and infrastructure. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Many wildland firefighters are young adults who will directly benefit from improved safety, health monitoring, and decontamination standards. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Seasonal and temporary wildland firefighters, often in lower-income brackets, receive guaranteed paid duty time for hygiene and gear decontamination.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The legislation provides funding and authorizes new offices within NIOSH for occupational safety and health research related to firefighting. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill establishes health monitoring, medical screenings, and wellbeing programs specifically for federal wildland firefighters.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill authorizes funds for research, pilot testing, and evaluation of exposure reduction technologies and practices.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill mandates decontamination standards and efforts to reduce hazardous chemical and PFAS exposure in wildfire operations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires extensive reporting, audits, and studies by the GAO and program directors on firefighter health outcomes and program progress.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill improves workers' compensation claims processing and health support for federal firefighters, which can include former service members.
- 9/17/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
James GallagherRepublican · California
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California