WA SB5491

Establishes a pilot program through the Office of Risk Management to provide loss coverage for prescribed fires and cultural burns conducted by non-state/non-federal entities including certified burn managers, cultural fire practitioners, private landowners, and fire districts

Creates the prescribed fire claims account in the state treasury to reimburse eligible claims for property damage, economic damage, or fire suppression costs up to $2,000,000 per claim

Requires burns to be conducted by certified burn managers with approved burn plans and permits, or by tribal-approved cultural fire practitioners, to qualify for coverage; claims resulting from criminal or negligent acts are excluded

Addresses liability concerns identified as a major barrier to prescribed burning, which the legislature finds needs to increase at least five-fold to effectively reduce wildfire risk across approximately 3,000,000 acres in eastern Washington requiring active management

Program expires June 30, 2033, with remaining funds to be deposited in the natural climate solutions account; act takes effect immediately as an emergency measure