The proposed bill would update current statutes by establishing the Wildfire Prevention Authority and the Wildfire Prevention Authority Fund within the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM). This new authority would be responsible for reviewing fire risk data, prioritizing funding for municipalities and fire districts that adopt effective building codes, and making grants to those impacted by wildfire risks. The membership of the Authority would include representatives from DFFM, the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI), and various appointed members from the insurance industry and local governments, serving staggered three-year terms.

Additionally, the bill would create a dedicated fund consisting of $20 million annually from fire insurance premium taxes, which would be used exclusively for the Authority's administrative expenses and grant awards. The fund would be subject to legislative appropriations and would not lapse, ensuring ongoing support for wildfire prevention efforts. Specific deletions from current law would remove outdated language regarding representation, while new insertions would clarify the authority's operations, including the ability to accept nonmonetary contributions and conduct audits. Overall, these updates aim to enhance Arizona's capacity to manage wildfire risks effectively while ensuring transparency and accountability in the Authority's operations.

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