SB 1442 Summary

• Amends the vegetative removal program to expand the state forester's authority to remove hazardous vegetation from state, federal, tribal, and private lands (with owner/tribe consent) for fire prevention, forest restoration, and critical infrastructure protection.

• Removes the January 1, 2018 deadline for establishing the program and eliminates provisions allowing use of parolee recidivism reduction programs.

• Authorizes the state forester to enter into intergovernmental agreements or memoranda of understanding with public agencies and to accept legislative appropriations, gifts, donations, and grants for hazardous vegetation removal costs.

• Requires monies received for hazardous vegetation removal to be deposited in the cooperative forestry fund and used specifically for those removal purposes as outlined in agreements.

• Extends the program termination date to July 1, 2027 under the sunset review process.