How Your Local Can Get Involved

First, study the Legislative Training Powerpoint. Next, have your Local appoint a Legislative Liaison with duties as described in the PowerPoint presentation (See below.). Send the name and contact information for your Legislative Liaison to the Chair of the Council Legislative Committee.

The Hatch Act has nothing to do with issue advocacy. For information on your rights and responsibilities, how to contact your Congressional representatives, and more, check out NFFE's Legislative Action Center.

• Legislative Issues - PowerPoint pptx File - 351 kb

FSC Legislative Priority: Performance, Cost, Missions and Management of the USDA Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) operates 26 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Job Corps centers as part of this program. The funding for CCC centers flows through DOL to USDA. The President’s FY 2019 budget proposed to end the role of the USDA in running CCC centers and asks for a General Provision that would allow DOL to select contractors to operate them instead.

The justification used by the administration and DOL is scientifically and legally flawed. Read the NFFE special report which provides a qualified response to the deliberate mischaracterizations of an otherwise effective program.

Read the 2018 NFFE briefing paper on this topic under 2018 NFFE Legislative Agenda.

FSC Legislative Priority: Broken Promises - Injured Firefighters, Law Enforcement Officers Forced Out of their Retirement System

Congress enacted 5 U.S. Code (U.S.C.) 8336.6(c) retirement benefits due to the hazardous nature of the occupation. During the FSC's time on the Hill in May, NFFE FSC representatives will be asking Congress to redeem the commitment made to these employees by maintaining the enhanced retirement for injured or disabled federal firefighters and law enforcement officers who continue working for the government. For more, visit our Broken Promises page.

2018 NFFE Legislative Agenda

Topics to be covered during the NFFE-IAM Legislative Conference the week of May 7, 2018:

• Special Report: Performance, Cost, Mission and Management of the USDA Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers - Adobe PDF File - 1.4 MB
• NFFE-IAM Supports Appeals Rights for Federal Employees Working in Sensitive Positions (H.R. 5355) - Adobe PDF File - 129 kb
• NFFE-IAM Opposes Further Cuts to Federal Employees’ Retirement Security - Adobe PDF File - 130 kb
• NFFE-IAM Opposes Expanded Privatization of the VA: Oppose the Caring for our Veterans Act (S. 2193), Oppose the VA Asset and Infrastructure Act (H.R. 4243), Oppose Expansion of the Choice Act Program - Adobe PDF File - 146 kb
• NFFE-IAM Supports the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (H.R. 1022 / S. 362) - Adobe PDF File - 128 kb
• NFFE-IAM Opposes a Federal Pay Freeze, and Supports the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act (H.R. 4775/S. 2295) - Adobe PDF File - 133 kb
• NFFE-IAM and the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act - Adobe PDF File - 127 kb
• NFFE-IAM Opposes Legislative Efforts to Ban or Curb Agency Use of Official Time - Adobe PDF File - 131 kb
• NFFE-IAM Opposes Privatization of the USDA Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers - Adobe PDF File - 143 kb
• NFFE-IAM Supports the Fair RETIRE Act (S. 29) / First Responder Fair RETIRE Act (H.R. 3303) - Adobe PDF File - 165 kb
• Rescind the VA Whistleblower and Accountability Act, and Oppose Weakening Due Process and Appeals at Additional Agencies - Adobe PDF File - 149 kb

2018 NFFE Legislative Week Reports

• Report - Norman Alires - Adobe PDF File - 43 kb
• Report - Maximo Alonzo - Adobe PDF File - 64 kb
• Report - Bob Beckley - Adobe PDF File - 236 kb
• Report - Jason Kammann - Adobe PDF File - 62 kb
• Report - Joshua Northrup - Adobe PDF File - 72 kb
• Report - Cindy White - Adobe PDF File - 62 kb
• Report - Lisa Wolfe - Adobe PDF File - 69 kb

Temporary Employment Reform

The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act was passed in August, 2015. For more information, check out our Temporary Employment Reform page.

Legislative Committee

The Legislative Committee keeps the Executive Board, and Local Lodges as appropriate, appraised of proposed legislative actions that affect government employees. The Committee also works with Forest Service Council representatives at IAMAW Legislative Conference to ensure that the interests of the Forest Service bargaining unit employees are effectively compiled and communicated.