UT HB0496

Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands gains enforcement and investigatory powers related to wildland fires and heritage trees, adding to existing authority held by law enforcement agencies

Utah Wildfire Fund may now pay costs incurred by the state under cooperative agreements for forest management with other government agencies

Fund money can be used for post-fire rehabilitation on federal land when the state forester determines it directly benefits state and private lands

Grants to local and volunteer fire departments for wildfire suppression capacity building are capped at $300,000 aggregate per fiscal year

Effective date: May 6, 2026