H.R. 345 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent 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, Jan 13, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summarySets rules for fire suppression cost sharing
When wildfires spread across state and local boundaries, federal, state, and local governments often team up to fight them and split the costs. This bill requires four federal departments—Agriculture, Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense—to create standard rules for how these cost-sharing agreements work, including when payments need to happen. The departments would also have to review existing agreements and update them to follow these new rules.
How it affects you
Local fire departments that help fight wildfires under these agreements would benefit most directly. The bill aims to make sure they get reimbursed from the federal government on a clearer, more consistent timeline when they submit invoices for their costs. Most everyday people won't notice a change, but the rules could help communities manage wildfire response more smoothly.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 13, 2025)
Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025
This bill requires standard operating procedures for reciprocal fire suppression cost share agreements, which are agreements between federal, state, and local governments to share the costs of suppressing wildfires that occur across multiple jurisdictions.
The Departments of Agriculture, the Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense must establish standard operating procedures relating to payment timelines for fire suppression cost share agreements established under the Reciprocal Fire Protection Act. The departments must also review each agreement that is in operation within a year of this bill's enactment and modify an agreement as necessary to comply with the standard operating procedures.
The standard operating procedures must require that (1) 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, and (2) the federal paying entity reimburse a local fire department if the fire department submits an invoice in accordance with cost settlement procedures.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 345
A BILL
Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA-9) · Introduced Jan 13, 2025 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 23, 2025: “Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.”