Bill > HB0078

This bill establishes a Forest Health Grant Program, administered by the state forester, to fund projects aimed at improving forest health on state, federal, local, or private lands. These projects can focus on enhancing water quality, reducing wildfire risk, increasing forest product production, improving wildlife habitat, or other beneficial forest health initiatives deemed in the public interest. Grants will generally cover up to 75% of project costs, with the remaining 25% requiring matching funds from other sources, though grants for projects on federal land are capped at 50% of costs. Before any grant is awarded, the Attorney General must certify its legality. A dedicated Forest Health Grant Program Account is created to hold funds for these grants, with any unspent funds at the end of a fiscal year remaining in the account for future use, and any interest earned also credited to the account. The state forester is required to report annually on awarded grants to a legislative committee. The program has a sunset date of July 1, 2030, after which no new grants will be approved, and any remaining funds will be returned to their original sources or revert to the general fund. The bill also includes an initial appropriation of $3 million from the general fund to the grant account, which will not lapse at the end of fiscal periods, and expresses legislative intent for future budget requests to include additional funding.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

Select Water (Other)

https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2026/HB0078