HB0297

Appropriates funds for wildfire suppression costs and restoration projects from 2024 wildfires, establishes a steering committee to oversee grant distribution, and authorizes emergency borrowing.

• Appropriates $32,263,966 from the general fund to restore state expenditures on 2024 wildfire suppression: $1,000,000 to the governor's special contingency division, $1,263,966 to the disaster contingency unit, and $30,000,000 to the emergency fire suppression account. (Section 1(a))
• Appropriates up to $20,000,000 from the general fund to replenish the legislative stabilization reserve account for funds borrowed in 2024. (Section 1(b))
• Appropriates $110,000,000 from the general fund to the Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust income account for wildfire mitigation and restoration projects, including $100,000,000 for restoring vegetation and habitats on private and state lands and $10,000,000 for watershed habitat and water supply facility repairs. (Section 1(c))
• Creates a steering committee consisting of two legislative members appointed by legislative leaders, the executive director of the Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board as chairman, and up to six governor-appointed members with expertise in state government, wildlife, agriculture, and natural resources. (Section 1(d))
• Assigns the steering committee to establish a grant application process, develop eligibility criteria, and make recommendations for expenditures of appropriated wildfire restoration funds. (Section 1(e))
• Requires all proposed grants and expenditures to be reviewed by the attorney general for substantial public benefit and lawful use, and allows the executive director to impose conditions on approvals. (Section 1(f))
• Provides $12,500 from the general fund for legislative member compensation and authorizes per diem and mileage payments for steering committee members from appropriated wildfire funds. (Section 1(g), Section 1(h))
• Terminates the steering committee on December 31, 2026, and requires the executive director to report quarterly to specified legislative committees on all expenditures and grant recipients through fund depletion.