HB0101

Creates a forest health grant program administered by the state forester to fund projects that improve forest health, water resources, and wildfire resilience.

• Establishes the forest health grant program to be administered by the state forester, who shall determine the application process and program requirements. (W.S. 36-1-601(a))
• Provides that grants may cover up to 75 percent of forest health project costs, with remaining costs funded through matching funds from other sources (cash or in-kind contributions). (W.S. 36-1-601(b))
• Specifies eligible forest health projects including water yield or quality enhancement, wildfire risk reduction, forest product production, wildlife and livestock habitat improvement, and other projects beneficial to forest health with public purpose. (W.S. 36-1-601(b)(i)-(v))
• Requires the attorney general to provide written approval certifying the legality of any forest health grant and associated documents before a grant can be awarded. (W.S. 36-1-601(c))
• Creates the forest health grant program account to hold state funds, private donations, and other contributions, with funds retained year to year and not subject to standard lapse provisions. (W.S. 36-1-601(d))
• Requires the state forester to submit annual reports by September 1 to the joint agriculture, state and public lands and water resources interim committee detailing all grants awarded, amounts, and funded projects. (W.S. 36-1-601(e))
• Sets a sunset date of July 1, 2029 for new grant approvals, after which unobligated funds from private sources must be returned to donors and unobligated state funds must revert to the general fund or original appropriating fund. (W.S. 36-1-601(f))
• Appropriates three million dollars from the general fund to the forest health grant program account, with funds remaining available until expended and legislative intent that future funding be included in the state forester's budget requests. (Sec. 2)

Effective: July 1, 2025

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