The new bill authored by U.S. Rep. Austin Scott in the U.S. House aims to broaden compensation eligibility for ATF employees engaged in fire protection activities, according to the U.S. Congress.
H.R.8863 was introduced on May 15, 2026 during the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress. The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends title 5 of the United States Code to include certain employees of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as employees engaged in fire protection activities. Specifically, it classifies Certified Fire Investigators and members of the National Response Team within the ATF as part of this definition for the purpose of providing compensation for specific illnesses and diseases that are deemed to have been proximately caused by their work. The provisions of this bill will apply to compensation claims filed on or after the date of enactment.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Austin Scott (Republican-GA-8th District) and co-sponsored by Rep. James P. McGovern (Democrat-GA-2nd District).
Since the beginning of the current session, Rep. Scott has introduced another seven bills, with one of them being adopted.
Congressional bills can originate in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, except for revenue-related measures, which must begin in the House. After introduction, bills are assigned to committees for review, hearings, amendments and debate before they can advance to a vote in each chamber. If both chambers approve identical versions, the legislation is sent to the president, who may sign it into law or veto it. Congress operates in two-year terms, with each term numbered sequentially and divided into two annual sessions. The legislative process and official bill records are maintained by the U.S. Congress and published through Congress.gov.
Austin Scott is a Representative from Georgia, serving in Congress since January 3, 2011. He previously served in the Georgia state house of representatives from 1997 to 2010 and holds a B.B.A. from the University of Georgia, earned in 1993.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| H.R.8863 | 05/15/2026 | To amend title 5, United States Code, to add certain employees of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to the definition of employees in fire protection activities for the purpose of compensation for certain illnesses and diseases deemed to be proximately caused by employment in fire protection activities. |
| H.R.8322 | 04/16/2026 | To amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through April 30, 2026, and for other purposes. |
| H.R.7559 | 02/12/2026 | To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to deny deduction for outsourcing payments. |
| H.R.7475 | 02/10/2026 | Expedited Guaranteed Lender Pilot Program Act |
| H.R.7120 | 01/15/2026 | Purple Heart Freedom to Work Act |
| H.R.6598 | 12/10/2025 | Commodity Futures Trading Commission Research and Development Modernization Act of 2025 |
| H.R.6019 | 11/12/2025 | To repeal certain provisions relating to notification to Senate offices regarding legal process on disclosure of Senate data, and for other purposes. |
| H.R.2345 | 03/25/2025 | Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act |
Information in this article was obtained from the U.S. Congress. The source data can be found here.
