SF0148

Failed

Fire suppression and restoration funding.

Appropriate funds for wildfire suppression and restoration efforts through grants and transfers to the Wyoming wildlife trust account.

Full legal title

AN ACT relating to wildfires; providing appropriations; authorizing grants and expenditures; specifying duties of the executive director of the Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board; providing for the transfer of funds; authorizing borrowing; repealing prior borrowing authorization; and providing for effective dates.

Budget

Sponsor:

Co-sponsors: Representative(s) Byron, Clouston, Connolly, Davis, Eklund, Larsen, L, Williams, Senator(s) Anderson, Barlow, Boner, Driskill

View on wyoleg.gov Introduced Text (PDF)Digest (PDF)Engrossed (PDF)Fiscal Note (PDF)

What does this bill do?

Appropriates funds for wildfire suppression costs, mitigation and restoration projects, and establishes a steering committee to oversee grant distribution for fire-affected lands and infrastructure.

Appropriates $1,000,000 to the special contingency division of the office of the governor and $1,263,966 to the disaster contingency unit within homeland security to restore funds expended on 2024 wildfire suppression. (Sec. 1(a)(i), Sec. 1(a)(ii))
Appropriates $30,000,000 to the emergency fire suppression account within the office of state lands and investments to restore funds expended on 2024 wildfire suppression. (Sec. 1(a)(iii))
Appropriates up to $20,000,000 from the general fund to repay funds previously borrowed from the legislative stabilization reserve account under 2024 session laws. (Sec. 1(b))
Appropriates $100,000,000 for grants and expenditures to restore grass and vegetation, prevent nonnative invasive species, restore habitats, and repair public infrastructure destroyed by 2024 wildfires on private and state lands. (Sec. 1(c)(i))
Appropriates $10,000,000 for grants and expenditures to repair or replace watershed habitat and facilities for municipal, community, and county water supplies affected by 2024 wildfires. (Sec. 1(c)(ii))
Creates a steering committee consisting of two legislative members, the executive director of the Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board (as chairman), and up to six governor-appointed members from various state agencies and interests to oversee grant and expenditure recommendations. (Sec. 1(d))
Grants the steering committee authority to establish processes for reviewing grant applications, develop eligibility criteria, and make recommendations for grants and expenditures from appropriated funds. (Sec. 1(e))
Requires the attorney general to review all proposed grants or expenditures to determine whether they provide substantial public benefit and constitute lawful use of funds, and allows the executive director to impose conditions on approvals. (Sec. 1(f))