Bill · H.R. 8001· House(119-HR-8001)
First Responders’ Equipment Access Act
- Introduced
- 3/19/2026
- Last activity
- 3/19/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Kat Cammack
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "First Responders' Equipment Access Act," directs the EPA Administrator to amend specific regulations. The changes focus on exemptions for engines and equipment related to national security. It allows manufacturers to request these exemptions for equipment used by various government agencies. These agencies include those providing law enforcement, disaster relief, search and rescue, fire response, or emergency medical services. Additionally, it allows federal defense and homeland security agencies to endorse these requests. Finally, it removes the requirement to specify exact quantities when requesting or endorsing an exemption.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+3
The bill enables easier procurement of critical equipment for disaster relief through federal endorsements.
Is this likely to create jobs?+2
Streamlining equipment exemptions for manufacturers may facilitate production and distribution for first responders.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+2
The bill reduces regulatory burdens for manufacturers by removing the requirement to specify exact quantities in exemption requests.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
The bill creates more paths for exemptions from engine regulations, which may reduce the strictness of environmental oversight for certain equipment.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Access for Emergency Services: Manufacturers can request national security exemptions for engines or equipment used by Federal, State, or local agencies for law enforcement, disaster relief, search and rescue, fire response, or emergency medical services (Section 2(1)(A)). This could benefit the public by ensuring first responders have the necessary equipment for critical tasks.
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Streamlined Endorsement Process: Federal agencies responsible for national defense and the Department of Homeland Security, including FEMA, can endorse these exemption requests (Section 2(1)(B)). This provides a formal way for high-level agencies to support the needs of emergency responders.
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Increased Flexibility in Requests: The new regulations would not require a request or an endorsement to specify a certain quantity of engines or equipment to receive an exemption (Section 2(2)). This could make it easier and faster to secure equipment when specific numbers are not immediately certain.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2Increases Job Creation+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+1Good For Urban Residents+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+3Improves Environmental Protections-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+1
- 3/19/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House