Sam Gibbons: “Mr. Speaker, Senate 439 would amend the National Forest and Public Lands of Nevada Enhancement Act to adjust a boundary…”

“Mr. Speaker, Senate 439 would amend the National Forest and Public Lands of Nevada Enhancement Act to adjust a boundary of the Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada, thereby transferring the jurisdiction of the land from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior. This legislation has local support, as well as support from the administration. Senate 439 was favorably reported by the full committee on June 7, 2000, by voice vote. Senate 439, as amended, also includes the Wildland Fire Firefighters Pay Equity Act of 1999, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo). One of the problems faced during the catastrophic fire season of 2000 was a shortage of properly trained fire fighting crews. This language will go far to address this particular problem by allowing fire fighters to earn the standard time-and-a-half overtime rate for time spent fighting fires, regardless of their pay base. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to support this bill.”