The Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023 requires four federal agencies—Agriculture, Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense—to create standardized procedures for how fire suppression costs are shared between federal and local fire departments under existing agreements. Within one year of the bill's enactment, these agencies must establish these standard operating procedures and review all current cost-sharing agreements to ensure they comply with the new standards. The bill also requires that fire suppression agreements be aligned with other cooperative fire protection agreements that apply to the same areas. Additionally, the agencies must complete reviews of cost-sharing agreements as quickly as possible after wildfires are contained, and must consult with state and local fire organizations during these reviews. The legislation aims to create consistency and clarity in how federal and local fire departments split expenses when responding to fires on federal lands.
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