WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 435 · 119th Congress

Direct Hire To Fight Fires

Reported by committeeGovernment Operations and Politics
IntroducedJan 15, 2025
Passed HouseNot yet
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Reported by committee. Latest step, Jan 8, 2026: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-432, Part I.

What it does

Sourced

Direct Hire To Fight Fires

This bill provides permanent direct-hire authority to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to fill wildland firefighter and firefighting support positions in the Forest Service and Interior agencies.

The bill also requires USDA and Interior to implement policies to recruit and retain wildland firefighters and related personnel, such as by streamlining the hiring process and reducing barriers for firefighters transferring between agencies.

Further, the bill requires USDA and Interior to annually report related data to Congress, including the number of firefighters needed for the coming year, the number of firefighting vacancies in each state, and existing barriers to filling such vacancies. The report must also be made available on a public website.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jan 15, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Jan 8, 2026Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-432, Part I.House floor actions
  2. Jan 8, 2026Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-432, Part I.Library of Congress
  3. Jul 15, 2025Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.House committee actions
  4. Jul 15, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  5. Apr 4, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.House committee actions
  6. Jan 15, 2025Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture.House floor actions
  7. Jan 15, 2025Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture.House floor actions
  8. Jan 15, 2025Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture.House floor actions
  9. Jan 15, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  10. Jan 15, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Cosponsors

  • Kevin Kiley I-CA-3
  • Jay Obernolte R-CA-23