The proposed bill updates current statutes by establishing the Wildfire Prevention Authority within the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, which will be responsible for identifying high-risk wildfire areas and prioritizing funding for local governments that implement effective land use codes. The bill introduces new provisions for the Authority's operational framework, including the appointment of members by the Governor, staggered terms, and the ability to develop operational plans and solicit funding. It also specifies the types of grants that can be awarded for wildfire prevention efforts, such as vegetation management and infrastructure improvements, and mandates audits of the Authority Fund every two years. Additionally, the bill creates the Wildfire Prevention Authority Fund, which will receive $20,000,000 $20 million annually from fire insurance premium taxes to support the Authority's operations and grant-making activities. It modifies existing statutes to reflect these changes, including new reporting requirements for insurers regarding fund distribution and clarifies that the Authority's funds are intended to supplement existing wildfire prevention resources. The previous requirement for a $20,000,000 annual contribution from fire insurers' premium taxes is removed, streamlining the funding process for wildfire prevention 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