Unofficial Draft Copy
**** As of: 11/18/2024, 09:42:47
69th Legislature 2025 Drafter: Julie Johnson, **** LC 0591
1 **** BILL NO. ****
2 INTRODUCED BY ****
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING STATE FIRE POLICY REGARDING THE DUTIES OF A
5 STATE OR LOCAL FIRE PROTECTION ENTITY; AMENDING SECTION 76-13-115, MCA; AND PROVIDING Commented [JJ1]: Should I be using the term
“recognized agency” instead in the title and the text? It
6 AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.” is a defined term in 76-13-102.
7
8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
9
10 Section 1. Section 76-13-115, MCA, is amended to read:
11 "76-13-115. State fire policy. The legislature finds and declares that:
12 (1) the safety of the public and of firefighters is paramount in all wildfire suppression activities;
13 (2) it is a priority to minimize property and resource loss resulting from wildfire and to minimize
14 expense to Montana taxpayers, which is generally accomplished through an aggressive and rapid initial attack
15 effort;
16 (3) interagency cooperation and coordination among local, state, and federal agencies are
17 intended and encouraged, including cooperation when restricting activity or closing areas to access becomes
18 necessary;
19 (4) fire prevention, hazard reduction, and loss mitigation are fundamental components of this
20 policy;
21 (5) all property in Montana has wildfire protection from a recognized fire protection entity;
22 (6) a Montana state or local fire protection entity has a duty to suppress wildland fires in the state Commented [JJ2]: What is the most precise language
to use here? Does this work?
23 regardless of land ownership;
24 (6)(7) all private property owners and federal and state public land management agencies have a
25 responsibility to manage resources, mitigate fire hazards, and otherwise prevent fires on their property;
26 (7)(8) sound forest management activities to reduce fire risk, such as thinning, prescribed burning,
27 and insect and disease treatments, improve the overall diversity and vigor of forested landscapes and improve
28 the condition of related water, wildlife, recreation, and aesthetic resources;
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 Unofficial Draft Copy
**** As of: 11/18/2024, 09:42:47
69th Legislature 2025 Drafter: Julie Johnson, **** LC 0591
1 (8)(9) development of fire protection guidelines for the wildland-urban interface is critical to improving
2 public safety and for reducing risk and loss; and
3 (9)(10) catastrophic wildland fire in wildland-urban interface areas resulting from inadequate federal
4 land management activities to reduce fire risk has the potential to jeopardize Montanans' inalienable right to a
5 clean and healthful environment guaranteed in Article II, section 3, of the Montana constitution."
6
7 NEW SECTION. Section 2. {standard} Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and
8 approval.
9 - END -
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