S.B. 223 Summary

• Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish an independent wildland fire prevention, control, and extinguishment program within forest reserves and authorize fuel reduction on non-department lands.

• Empowers the Administrator of Forestry and Wildlife to establish and maintain facilities for fire protection, fire prevention, pest control, and forest and range protection activities.

• Authorizes the State Fire Council to amend the State Fire Code requiring property owners and easement holders in hazardous fire areas to maintain 30-100 foot firebreaks, remove tree branches near chimneys, clear deadwood, and keep roofs free of dead vegetation.

• Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish a Community Fuels Reduction Project focusing on hazardous fuel reduction on state lands adjacent to communities, including managed grazing and water infrastructure.

• Appropriates $1,000,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 for the community fuels reduction project, with the project becoming a separate line item in the budget starting fiscal year 2027-2028.