The proposed bill would update current statutes by establishing the Wildfire Prevention Authority within the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, which would be responsible for identifying high-risk areas and prioritizing funding for local governments that implement fire-resistant building codes. New provisions would be inserted to allow the Authority to provide grants for wildfire prevention efforts, focusing on vegetation management, infrastructure improvements, and technical assistance. The bill also creates the Authority Fund, which will consist of public and private funds to support the Authority's operations.

In terms of current law, the bill would make specific deletions to outdated references and clarify funding mechanisms, ensuring that the new fund is sourced from insurance premium taxes and that its resources supplement existing wildfire prevention efforts. Overall, the bill aims to enhance Arizona's capacity to manage wildfire risks through a structured approach that includes financial oversight and community resilience initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 20-123
House Engrossed Version: 37-1311, 20-224, 20-224.02, 20-225, 20-227, 35-190, 35-313, 20-206, 9-951, 35-146, 35-147, 20-837, 20-1010, 20-1060, 9-952, 9-972, 2025-2026, 20-1566, 20-224.01, 20-1097.07, 20-224.03, 20-224.04, 20-224.06, 20-224.07, 20-224.05, 20-416