 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
wildfire response; private landowners; eligibility
Purpose
Prohibits the Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) from disqualifying assistance to private landowners based on the date a fire or fire suppression activity occurred.
Background
Laws 2021, First Special Session, Chapter 1, appropriated $75,000,000 from the state General Fund in FY 2021 to DFFM for wildfire emergency response, specifically: 1) fire suppression equipment and staff; 2) capital expenditures and equipment associated with suppression and pre-positioning activities for fire suppression; 3) mitigation projects to address postfire flooding and other damage that may occur as a result of fires or fire suppression activities; 4) a state or local government agency's emergency liabilities related to emergency sheltering, wraparound services and support activities; 5) financial assistance to public and private landowners for emergency repairs for infrastructure damage resulting from fires or fire suppression activities; and 6) reimbursement to a state agency or political subdivision for its cost-share of eligible claims arising from an emergency declared by the Governor or the federal government relating to a natural disaster. Financial assistance to private landowners is capped at $10,000,000 and DFFM is required to distribute monies to private and public landowners only as the payor of last resort after all other sources of payment, including any insurance and other reimbursements, have been exhausted.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits DFFM from disqualifying financial assistance to private landowners based on the date a fire or fire suppression activity occurred.
2. Stipulates that DFFM may provide financial assistance to private landowners for emergency repairs for infrastructure damages caused at any time by a fire or fire suppression activity.
3. Becomes effective on signature of the Governor.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 4, 2022
RC/MAH/slp