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119-s-5624119th CongressWALLET

Honoring Fallen Wildland Firefighters Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a federal death gratuity for wildland firefighters who die from injuries in the line of duty. It would provide an immediate lump-sum payment equal to the maximum amount under 5 U.S.C. 8102a(a) for deaths on or after January 1, 2026, covering Federal wildland firefighters and eligible contractors serving designated public agencies.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Death Payment for Wildland Firefighter Survivors

If enacted, survivors of covered wildland firefighters who die from line-of-duty injuries on or after January 1, 2026 would receive a death gratuity. The payment would equal the maximum death gratuity under 5 U.S.C. 8102a(a) and would be paid immediately after official notice. Covered workers would include Forest Service, Department of the Interior, State or local firefighting agencies, and eligible contractors doing fire suppression work. Payments would follow a priority order: spouse, children (equal shares), designated individuals, parents, then siblings. Firefighters could designate recipients in 10 percent steps and an employing agency would have to notify a spouse if someone else is named. This gratuity would be in addition to any compensation under 5 U.S.C. 8133.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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