The proposed bill establishes the Washington Wildfire Prevention and Protection Council and creates a Wildfire Prevention and Protection Fund to combat the increasing threat of catastrophic wildfires in the state. The council will oversee the fund, which aims to provide compensation to wildfire victims, support mitigation and prevention efforts, and ensure the financial stability of electric utilities. Key provisions include eligibility requirements for electric utilities to participate in the fund, such as payment contributions and compliance with wildfire mitigation plans. The council will consist of 15 members from various sectors, and the bill emphasizes proactive planning and coordinated oversight to protect communities and infrastructure from wildfire risks. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws regarding the treasury income account, introducing the wildfire prevention and protection account as an eligible recipient of earnings from state treasury investments. It clarifies that no appropriation is required for payments related to federal programs and outlines the responsibilities of the Office of Financial Management in managing these funds. The bill also mandates the Department of Commerce to develop standardized wildfire mitigation plans for electric utilities, which must be updated every three years and incorporate recommendations from a future report. Overall, the legislation aims to create a comprehensive strategy for wildfire resilience while ensuring effective management of state treasury earnings.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 76.04.185, 80.28.445