Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025

# Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025 - Summary **What It Does:** This bill would establish clear, standardized rules for how the federal government, states, and local communities share the costs of fighting wildfires that spread across different jurisdictions. Currently, these cost-sharing agreements lack consistent procedures, which can create confusion and delays in payment. The bill requires four federal departments (Agriculture, Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense) to create standard operating procedures that specify payment timelines and ensure all agreements follow the same rules. **Who It Affects:** Fire departments and local governments that work with federal agencies to combat wildfires would benefit from clearer payment processes.

The bill also affects federal agencies responsible for wildfire suppression and taxpayers funding these efforts. States with significant wildfire activity—particularly western states like California (where the sponsor is from)—would likely see the most impact. **Key Provision:** The bill requires federal departments to review all existing cost-sharing agreements within a year and update them to comply with the new standardized procedures, ensuring consistency across different regions and fire suppression efforts. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 345) and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.