In a move to further the state’s efforts to properly manage forest health and reduce wildfires, the Legislature passed a bill that will invest hundreds of millions of dollars into new programs.

HB 1168, sponsored by Rep. Larry Springer (D–Kirkland), passed the House and Senate unanimously and now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature.

The bill establishes legislative intent to provide $500 million over the next four biennia to fund forest health and wildfire response activities. Proposed state budgets include $125 million for this biennium. The state will deposit the funds into the Wildfire Response, Forest Restoration, and Community Resilience Account to support certain wildfire preparedness, prevention, and protection activities. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be required to report every two years on how the account funds are used.

Additionally, the bill directs DNR to implement several initiatives relating to forest health and wildfire response including additional mapping, forest health, workforce development, small forest landowner forest health, and wildland fire aviation support.

AWC supports the bill as it will provide much needed additional resources to the state to help combat wildfires that impact cities each year.