Bill Description: House Bill 588 would authorize differential hazard pay of up to 25% of normal pay for wildland firefighters. 

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Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?

House Bill 588 would amend Section 59-1603, Idaho Code, to authorize "differential pay up to twenty-five percent (25%) of hourly rates for wildland firefighting personnel who hold current incident qualification cards while working on the fireline of a fire incident not deemed controlled or at a fire incident helibase servicing active flights."

Deciding to take the job of firefighter carries with it the expectation and risk of fighting active fires. This legislation suggests that some firefighters are more deserving than others and should receive extra pay. 

The bill's fiscal note estimates this proposal will cost between $330,000 and $390,000 annually.

Of course, government spending has a tendency to grow quickly. At the current 7.5% annual rate of inflation, $390,000 could rise to more than $800,000 annually within a decade. 

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