Bill > HB2268

This bill establishes a Wildfire Prevention Authority to address wildfire risks in Arizona, creating a diverse 10-member board appointed by the governor that includes representatives from insurance companies, state agencies, counties, cities, fire districts, and the general public. The authority will be responsible for reviewing fire risk data, identifying areas most susceptible to wildfire damage, and prioritizing funding for counties, cities, towns, and fire districts that have adopted building or land use codes to reduce wildfire risks. A new Wildfire Prevention Authority Fund will be established, initially funded with $20 million annually from insurance premium taxes, which can be used to make grants for activities such as vegetation management, community hardening projects, infrastructure improvements, and technical assistance to residents and local governments. The authority will have the power to develop operational and financial plans, solicit donations, and will be required to conduct an audit every two years. Grants from the fund can support projects like removing fire fuels, helping low-income and elderly residents create defensible spaces, modifying infrastructure to improve wildfire response, developing local wildfire resilience policies, and providing technical assistance to residents for making their properties more fire-resistant. The bill emphasizes that these funds are meant to supplement, not replace, existing wildfire prevention and mitigation resources.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82031