Senate Bill 21-221 Summary

• Removes the $1 million per-project cap on forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation grants, allowing individual projects to exceed that amount while maintaining the 50% and 75% cost-share limits based on economic resources.

• Requires the technical advisory panel evaluating grant proposals to show preference for hazardous fuel reduction projects from applicants that have adopted or plan to adopt local wildfire risk reduction measures, with stronger measures receiving greater preference.

• Maintains existing cost-share requirements: 50% grant maximum for standard projects and 75% grant maximum for projects in areas with fewer economic resources, with remaining funding from cash, stumpage, in-kind contributions, or donations.

• Allows in-kind contributions to include volunteer hours and compensated staff time (limited to planning and implementation) toward matching requirements.

• Declares the legislation necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety.