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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
appropriation; wildfire readiness and response
Purpose
Appropriates $12,500,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2026 to the Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) to award grants to fire districts for wildfire readiness and response.
Background
DFFM, directed by the State Forester, must provide for land management and the prevention and suppression of wildland fires on state land and private property in unincorporated areas. The State Forester must provide necessary oversight to ensure standardized training and certification for all firefighter classifications to be deployed to any incident (A.R.S. §§ 37-1301 and 37-1302). The Office of the State Fire Marshal, within DFFM, must: 1) promote public health and safety and reduce hazards to life, limb and property; 2) perform inspections and fire investigations; 3) provide public education; and 4) adopt fire protection codes (A.R.S. § 37-1381).
S.B. 1285 appropriates $12,500,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to DFFM.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $12,500,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to DFFM to award grants to fire districts for wildfire readiness and response.
2. Requires DFFM to allocate the appropriation equally to each of DFFM's five district offices and allows monies to be:
a) awarded only to fire districts that are currently designated by DFFM as fire cooperators; and
b) used only to purchase tactical water tenders and types 3 and 6 fire engines.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 31, 2025
LMM/JP/ci