Bill > HB421

This bill increases fire protection assessment fees for landowners in wildland fire protection districts, managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). Specifically, the legislation raises the base fee from $50 to $58.70 per landowner and increases the per-acre charge from 30 cents to 49 cents for each acre over 20 acres owned within a protection district. The purpose of these fees is to generate funding for fire protection services as outlined in section 76-13-207 of Montana law. The bill maintains existing provisions that prevent additional charges to participating landowners except in cases of proven negligence or violation of specific regulations. The new fee structure will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing landowners with advance notice of the increased costs for wildland fire protection services.