June 2006

News & Legislation Update:  6-30-2006

I am pleased to report that HR 5697, The Federal Wildland Firefighter Classification Act, has been introduced in Congress and was "marked up" by the House Government Reform Committee yesterday by Unanimous Consent.

The text of the legislation is as follows:


2d Session

H. R. 5697

To provide for the appropriate designation of certain Federal positions involved in wildland fire suppression activities.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 28, 2006

Mr. POMBO (for himself and Mr. PORTER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

A BILL

To provide for the appropriate designation of certain Federal positions involved in wildland fire suppression activities.

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 `Federal Wildland Firefighter Classification Act'.

SEC. 2. REQUIREMENT.

(a) In General- In the administration of chapter 51 of title 5, United States Code, the Office of Personnel Management shall ensure that the official title assigned under such chapter to any class or other category of positions described in subsection (b) shall include the designation of `Wildland Firefighter' or words to that effect.

(b) Applicability- This section shall apply in the case of any class or other category of positions that consists primarily or exclusively of forest technician positions, range technician positions, or any other category of positions the duties and responsibilities of which may include significant wildland fire suppression activities (as determined by the Office).

SEC. 3. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act shall be considered to require any change in the pay, benefits, or other terms or conditions of employment that apply with respect to any category of employees or positions.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

For purposes of this Act--

(1) the terms `class', `employee', and `position' shall have the meanings set forth in section 5102 of title 5, United States Code; and

(2) the terms `forest technician position' and `range technician position' shall have the meanings specified by the Office of Personnel Management.

END

This is the first ever legislative attempt to get OPM to do what is should have done years ago...proiperly classify our federal wildland firefighters to more accurately reflect their current duties.

With the 4th of July Holiday upon us, this is the most current information I have. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at cjudd@fwfsa.org or 208-775-4577.

Casey Judd
Business Manager
FWFSA

~JOIN ONLINE~

USFS · BLM · NPS · FWS · BIA