Josh Harder (D-CA)
Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 10 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025 aims to standardize reciprocal fire suppression cost share agreements. The bill requires various Secretaries to establish standard operating procedures regarding payment timelines. These procedures must also ensure that cost share agreements align with applicable cooperative fire protection agreements. Additionally, the bill mandates that Federal paying entities reimburse local fire departments upon receipt of an invoice following specific settlement procedures. Finally, Congress expresses its desire that these repayments occur as soon as possible, but no later than one year after the fire suppression occurs.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The act streamlines the financial recovery process for local fire departments following fire suppression activities.
- Scored +4
Does this invest in rural communities?
Standardizing fire suppression reimbursements provides greater financial stability for local fire departments which often serve rural communities.
- Scored +4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill strengthens the financial administrative processes of local fire departments that protect rural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Standardized Payment Timelines: The establishment of standard operating procedures regarding payment timelines provides a structured process for fire suppression cost share agreements (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Streamlined Reimbursement for Local Departments: The bill requires that the Federal paying entity reimburse a local fire department once an invoice is submitted according to cost settlement procedures (Section 2(c)).
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Alignment of Agreements: This provision ensures that each fire suppression cost share agreement is aligned with the cooperative fire protection agreements applicable to that entity (Section 2(b)).
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Timely Repayment Intent: It is the sense of Congress that repayments to local fire suppression organizations should happen as soon as practicable, and certainly within one year after fire suppression occurs (Section 2(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Requirement for Agreement Modification: The bill requires that all existing fire suppression cost share agreements in operation be reviewed and modified as necessary to comply with the new standard operating procedures (Section 2(a)(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 improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The act streamlines the financial recovery process for local fire departments following fire suppression activities. Does this invest in rural communities? — Standardizing fire suppression reimbursements provides greater financial stability for local fire departments which often serve rural communities.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill strengthens the financial administrative processes of local fire departments that protect rural areas. Would farmers be better off under this? — Ensuring timely fire suppression reimbursements benefits agricultural communities that rely on local fire departments.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill creates standardized payment timelines and procedures for reimbursing local fire departments.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates the establishment of standard operating procedures for fiscal settlements between federal and local entities.
- 8/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 3/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/14/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- 2/5/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/4/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/22/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/13/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Jim CostaDemocrat · California
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Chuck EdwardsRepublican · North Carolina
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Young KimRepublican · California
Doug LaMalfaRepublican · California
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
Scott PetersDemocrat · California
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio