Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023
Floor Speech
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3396) to require the standardization of reciprocal fire suppression cost share agreements, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3396
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023''. SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO CERTAIN FIRE SUPPRESSION COST SHARE AGREEMENTS.
(a) Establishment of Standard Operating Procedures.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretaries shall--
(1) establish standard operating procedures relating to payment timelines for fire suppression cost share agreements established under the Act of May 27, 1955 (42 U.S.C. 1856a) (commonly known as the ``Reciprocal Fire Protection Act''); and
(2) with respect to each fire suppression cost share agreement in operation on such date--
(A) review each such agreement; and
(B) modify each agreement as necessary to comply with the standard operating procedures required under paragraph (1).
(b) Alignment of Fire Suppression Cost Share Agreements With Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements.--The standard operating procedures required under subsection (a)(1) shall include a requirement that each fire suppression cost share agreement be aligned with each of the cooperative fire protection agreements applicable to the entity subject to such fire suppression cost share agreement.
(c) Payments Pursuant to Cost Share Agreements.--With respect to payments made pursuant to fire suppression cost share agreements, the standard operating procedures required under subsection (a)(1) shall require that the Federal paying entity reimburse a local fire department if such fire department submits an invoice in accordance with cost settlement procedures.
(d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the Secretaries should carry out reciprocal fire suppression cost share agreement repayments to local fire suppression organizations as soon as practicable after fire suppression occurs but not later than 1 year after fire suppression occurs.
(e) Secretaries Defined.--In this section, the term ``Secretaries'' means--
(1) the Secretary of Agriculture;
(2) the Secretary of the Interior;
(3) the Secretary of Homeland Security; and
(4) the Secretary of Defense.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. 3396, the bill now under consideration.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3396, the Fire Department Repayment Act. This is a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Harder alongside Representatives Curtis and LaMalfa.
H.R. 3396 would standardize cost-share agreements between the Federal Government and local fire departments to ensure safe and local firefighting partners are fairly and quickly compensated for fighting wildfires on Federal lands.
Because wildfires do not heed administrative boundaries, various State, Tribal, local, and private firefighting resources respond jointly to wildfires throughout the Nation. The costs expended by these resources are then reimbursed under preexisting arrangements known as reciprocal fire suppression cost-share agreements. These agreements enable firefighting entities to access resources and assistance from neighboring jurisdictions during large fires on Federal lands.
Unfortunately, the current reimbursement process is flawed. Payments are often delayed, imposing financial burdens on local fire departments and reducing their ability to respond to other emergencies.
The Fire Department Repayment Act addresses these challenges by establishing uniform reimbursement timelines for fire suppression cost- share agreements. This legislation would ensure local fire departments are paid promptly while still allowing the Federal Government to dispute any inaccurate invoices.
This is a good bill that would improve the reimbursement process for coordinated firefighting efforts. It thus takes a critical step toward strengthening shared resources and cross-boundary firefighting.
Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Washington, DC, December 10, 2024. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Chair, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
Dear Chair Westerman: H.R. 3396, the ``Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023'', was referred primarily to the Committee on Natural Resources, with an additional referral to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
H.R. 3396 contains provisions within the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X jurisdiction. As a result of your having consulted with the Committee and to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will forego action on the bill. This is being done based on our mutual understanding that doing so will in no way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology with respect to the appointment of conferees, or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or similar legislation.
I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding and request that you include a copy of this letter and your response in the committee report or in the Congressional Record during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Sincerely, Frank D. Lucas, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, December 10, 2024. Hon. Frank D. Lucas, Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding H.R. 3396, the ``Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023,'' which was ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources on December 6, 2023.
I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and appreciate your willingness to forgo further consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will not formally consider H.R. 3396 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained therein.
I am pleased to support your request to name members of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology to any conference committee to consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation. Sincerely, Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC, December 10, 2024. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual understanding regarding H.R. 3396, the ``Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023''. Thank you for collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our jurisdiction.
The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over any subject matter contained in this or similar legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees should it become necessary and ask that you support such a request.
We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 3396 and request a copy of our letters on this matter be published in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration. Sincerely, Glenn ``GT'' Thompson, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, December 10, 2024. Hon. Glenn ``GT'' Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding H.R. 3396, the ``Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023,'' which was ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources on December 6, 2023.
I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture and appreciate your willingness to forgo further consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Agriculture will not formally consider H.R. 3396 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained therein.
I am pleased to support your request to name members of the Committee on Agriculture to any conference committee to consider such provisions. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation. Sincerely, Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Armed Services, Washington, DC, December 16, 2024. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Westerman: I write concerning H.R. 3396, the Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023 by Representative Harder. As a result of your having consulted with us on provisions within H.R. 3396 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services, I agree to forego any further consideration of this resolution so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.
The Committee on Armed Services takes this action with our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 3396 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as this resolution or similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction.
This legislation contains provisions that may require further modification prior to final consideration to ensure the support of the House Committee on Armed Services.
Finally, I ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included by House Committee on Natural Resources in the Congressional Record during floor consideration, to memorialize our understanding. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective committees. Sincerely, Michael D. Rogers, Chairman. ____ House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, December 16, 2024. Hon. Mike Rogers, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding H.R. 3396, the ``Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023,'' which was ordered reported by the Committee on Natural Resources on December 6, 2023.
I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services and appreciate your willingness to forgo further consideration of the bill. I acknowledge that the Committee on Armed Services will not formally consider H.R. 3396 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained therein.
I will ensure that your committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as this resolution or similar legislation moves forward so that you may address any remaining issues in your jurisdiction. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation. Sincerely, Bruce Westerman, Chairman.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that would benefit our local fire departments and improve our response to wildfires nationwide.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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