HB 2413 proposes to amend Arizona Revised Statutes section 37-1305, which pertains to the State Forester's authority and responsibilities. The bill seeks to increase the maximum amount of liability that the State Forester can incur for wildland fire suppression and other unplanned all-risk emergencies from the current cap of $3,000,000 to a new cap of $8,000,000 of state General Fund monies. This change would apply to costs associated with suppressing wildland fires and supporting other emergency activities such as fire, flood, earthquake, wind, and hazardous material responses.

Additionally, the bill makes a technical amendment to the fire suppression revolving fund, adjusting the threshold for transferring excess funds to the state general fund. Currently, if the unobligated balance of the fund exceeds $2,000,000 at the end of any calendar year, the excess is transferred to the state general fund. The bill maintains this provision but updates the language to reflect the new liability cap. The fund is continuously appropriated to the State Forester and is exempt from lapsing provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 37-1305