HB 2440 Summary

• Authorizes the state forester to enter into intergovernmental agreements and memoranda of understanding with public agencies to identify and remove hazardous vegetation from state, federal, tribal, and private lands for fire prevention, forest restoration, and critical infrastructure protection.

• Requires consent of property owners before removing hazardous vegetation on private property and consent of tribes before removing hazardous vegetation on tribal land.

• Allows the state forester to use legislative appropriations and accept monies from public agencies, gifts, donations, and grants for hazardous vegetation removal costs, with funds deposited in the cooperative forestry fund.

• Permits the state forester to use recidivism-reduction programs for forest restoration projects on lands located in Arizona.

• Expands the cooperative forestry fund to accept appropriations and monies from any public agency and requires that hazardous vegetation removal funds be used for the purposes specified in intergovernmental agreements or memoranda of understanding.