This bill amends Sections 59-1603 and 67-5309D of the Idaho Code to establish specific exceptions regarding wildland firefighter differential pay. The new provisions specify that the wildland firefighter differential pay, which can be up to twenty-five percent of hourly rates, will only apply to temporary returning seasonal firefighters and temporary first-year seasonal firefighters. This differential pay will not be available to permanent employees who have a firefighting role or hold current incident qualification cards.

Additionally, the bill includes a declaration of emergency, stating that the act will take effect on July 1, 2026. The amendments aim to clarify the eligibility criteria for differential pay among wildland firefighters, ensuring that only certain temporary positions benefit from this financial incentive while excluding permanent staff from receiving it.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 59-1603, 67-5309D