HB19-1006 Summary

• Creates the forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation grant program cash fund in the state treasury, to be administered by the department of higher education, receiving transfers from existing revenue sources and any other money appropriated by the general assembly.

• Declares legislative intent that state funding for the grant program be increased for the 2019-20 fiscal year and that grant money be expended on an expedited basis to support forest management fuels reduction projects in wildland-urban interface areas.

• Appropriates $1,000,000 from the general fund for the 2019-20 state fiscal year to the department of higher education for deposit into the forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation grant program cash fund.

• Exempts appropriations to the forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation grant program cash fund from provisions concerning student financial assistance appropriations under the Colorado state university system.

• Includes a safety clause declaring the act necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety.