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WA HB1563
Bill
Status
Passed
4/21/2025
Primary Sponsor
Adam Bernbaum
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AI Summary
- Creates a prescribed fire claims fund pilot program administered by the Office of Risk Management to provide loss coverage for prescribed fires and cultural burns on department-protected lands and tribal lands
- Covers property damage, economic damage, department reimbursement costs, and suppression costs for escapements, with claims capped at $2,000,000 each
- Requires burns to be conducted by certified burn managers under approved burn plans or by tribal-approved cultural fire practitioners; excludes coverage for fires caused by criminal or negligent acts
- Establishes a prescribed fire claims account in the state treasury, with remaining funds transferring to the natural climate solutions account upon program expiration on June 30, 2033
- Addresses liability concerns identified as a major barrier to prescribed burning, which the legislature finds needs a five-fold increase to effectively reduce wildfire risk across approximately 3,000,000 acres in eastern Washington needing active management
Legislative Description
Establishing a prescribed fire claims fund pilot program.
Last Action
Effective date 4/21/2025.
4/21/2025
Committee Referrals
Rules4/8/2025
Ways & Means3/25/2025
Agriculture & Natural Resources3/11/2025
Rules2/28/2025
Appropriations2/20/2025
Agriculture and Natural Resources1/23/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available