I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1747 
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide direct hire authority to 
appoint individuals to Federal firefighting and firefighting support posi-
tions in the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 10, 2021 
Mr. ISSA (for himself and Mr. LAMALFA) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform 
A BILL 
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide direct 
hire authority to appoint individuals to Federal fire-
fighting and firefighting support positions in the Forest 
Service or the Department of the Interior, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Direct Hire To Fight 
Fires’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) Veterans are an appreciated and sought 
after population for positions within the Forest 
Service and in the positions contained in this Act. 
(2) Veterans deserve expedited hiring and em-
ployment. 
(3) In fiscal year 2020, the use of the Fire Di-
rect Hire Authority (‘‘DHA’’) was on average 31 
days compared to non-use of the Fire DHA at 51 
days and overall Forest Service (‘‘FS’’) hiring at 65 
days. 
(4) In fiscal year 2021, the use of the Fire 
DHA was on average 40 days compared to non-use 
of Fire DHA at 94 days and overall FS hiring at 
73 days. 
(5) In fiscal year 2020, the number of days 
from authorization to employee entry on duty aver-
aged 55 days with the use of the Fire DHA com-
pared to non-use of the Fire DHA at 103 days and 
overall FS hiring at 92 days. 
(6) In fiscal year 2021, the number of days 
from authorization to employee entry on duty aver-
aged 57 days with the use of the Fire DHA com-
pared to non-use of the Fire DHA at 105 days and 
overall FS hiring at 94 days. 
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SEC. 3. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT INDIVID-
UALS TO FEDERAL FIREFIGHTING AND FIRE-
FIGHTING SUPPORT POSITIONS IN THE FOR-
EST SERVICE OR THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 
INTERIOR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 96 of title 5, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 9603. Direct hire authority to appoint individuals 
to Federal firefighting and firefighting 
support positions in Forest Service and 
Department of the Interior 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture 
and the Secretary of Interior may appoint, without regard 
to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 (other than 
sections 3303 and 3328 of such chapter), qualified can-
didates to any position described in subsection (b) in the 
Forest Service or the Department of the Interior, respec-
tively. 
‘‘(b) POSITIONS.—A position described in this sub-
section is any Federal wildland and structural firefighting 
position, or any position in support of such firefighting 
position, within any of the following occupational series 
(or any successor series): 
‘‘(1) Forestry Technician Series, GS–0462. 
‘‘(2) Aircraft Operation Series, GS–2181. 
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‘‘(3) Miscellaneous Administration and Pro-
gram Series, GS–0301. 
‘‘(4) General Natural Resources Management 
and Biological Sciences Series, GS–0401. 
‘‘(5) Aviation Management Specialist Series, 
GS–2101. 
‘‘(6) Engineering Equipment Operator, WG– 
5716. 
‘‘(7) Dispatching Series, GS–2151. 
‘‘(8) Equipment Specialist, GS–1670.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for such chapter is amended by adding after the item re-
lating to section 9602 the following: 
‘‘9603. Direct hire authority to appoint individuals to Federal firefighting and 
firefighting support positions in Forest Service and Depart-
ment of the Interior.’’. 
Æ 
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