U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
SB5624: Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act of 2026
Status: In committee, September 30, 2026
A bill to provide a lump sum death gratuity payment for Federal wildland firefighters killed as a result of duty, and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To provide a lump sum death gratuity payment for Federal wildland firefighters killed as a result of duty, and for other purposes.
From the introduced text, September 30, 2026:
A BILL To provide a lump sum death gratuity payment for Federal wildland firefighters killed as a result of duty, and for other purposes. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act of 2026 . SECTION 2. Death gratuity for injuries incurred in connection with service as a wildland firefighter (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 8102a the following: SECTION 8102b. Death gratuity for injuries incurred in connection with service as a wildland firefighter (a) Definitions In this and (B) an eligible contractor. (2) Covered public agency The term covered public agency means-- (A) the Forest Service; (B) any agency of the Department of the Interior; and (C) any State or local firefighting entity. (3) Eligible contractor The term eligible contractor means an individual who-- (A) serves a covered public agency as a contractor or subcontractor of the covered public agency in an official capacity, with or without compensation; (B) performs under an exclusive use, call when needed, or equipment rental agreement contract with the covered public agency; and (C) directly performs fire suppression activities as a member of an aerial or ground-based firefighting crew or equipment operator in the direct fire suppression, or en route to or …
Sponsors
- Merkley, Jeff (D, SD-OR) · primary sponsor
- Curtis, John (R)
Latest actions
- : Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- : Introduced in Senate
Subjects: Government Operations and Politics
Common questions
- What is SB5624?
- SB5624 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act of 2026.
- What does SB5624 do?
- In its own words: To provide a lump sum death gratuity payment for Federal wildland firefighters killed as a result of duty, and for other purposes.
- What is the status of SB5624?
- In committee as of September 30, 2026. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (September 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5624?
- Merkley, Jeff (D, SD-OR), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB5624?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5624
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.