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Committee hears broad support for expanded prescribed-fire training and conditional liability protections in HB 84
Summary
House Bill 84 would create a state training and certification program for prescribed fire and would conditionally limit liability for certified burners only after the Legislature funds a claims account; proponents said it will expand safe use of prescribed fire while opponents urged caution on liability changes.
House Bill 84 would require the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to develop rules for a statewide prescribed-fire training and certification program and would conditionally establish a negligence standard for certified burners — limiting civil liability so long as a certified burner is not negligent and a claims fund is later appropriated by the Legislature.
Why it matters: Proponents argue the certification program and conditional liability protections would increase use of prescribed fire on private lands, improving forest health and reducing the severity of catastrophic wildfire. Opponents — principally representatives of industrial timber owners — said liability protections should not be enacted until the state has completed the required study and the claims fund is funded and established.
What the bill would do
- Training and certification: DNRC would create and administer a voluntary training and certification program to…
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