JFAC approves $40 million transfer to state fire fund, approves Lands enhancements including firefighter bonuses

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 14 approved a one-time transfer of $40,000,000 from the General Fund to the Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund to cover wildfire-season costs and later approved a separate FY2026 enhancement package for the Department of Lands that includes new positions, fire detection equipment and one-time bonuses for firefighters.

The transfer was presented by Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst for Legislative Services, who told the committee the Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund is a continuously appropriated account used by the Department of Lands to pay firefighting-related activities across the state. Representative Mike Manwaring moved the $40 million transfer; Senator Woodward seconded the motion. The committee recorded a unanimous vote: 20 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent (committee vote reported as 10–0 in the Senate and 10–0 in the House roll calls). The motion carried with a due-pass recommendation to the floor.

Why it matters: The transfer boosts the state’s dedicated firefighting reserve. Jessup noted the action would lift the fire fund above $50 million; Representative Manwaring cautioned that last year’s fire season cost about $60 million, and if the state experiences a similar season the Department of Lands could still use the deficiency-warrant process to cover costs.

The committee then considered the Department of Lands’ FY2026 enhancement package, advanced by Senator Woodward. The package as moved included additional full-time positions, equipment and one-time items: funding for a fire emergency support program manager, a fire aviation section manager, a statewide forest assessment program manager, fire detection cameras, $729,800 for fire equipment, replacement of the burn-permit system, statewide security upgrades, GIS enhancements, fleet and facility vehicle funding, Timber Protective Association (TPA) assessment-fee adjustments and changes in employee compensation, one-time replacement items, and satellite fire-detection and mapping services. The motion text moved $2,061,200 from the General Fund and $4,744,800 from dedicated funds for a total of $6,806,000 and added three full-time equivalents.

Representative Gallavese noted that the one-time bonus line would cover “upwards of 350 firefighters” (the director had earlier told staff last year about 300 individuals received bonuses) and thanked firefighters for long hours during wildfire response. The FY2026 enhancement motion passed with a combined committee tally of 19 ayes, 1 nay, 0 absent (Senate 9–1; House unanimous). The motion will go to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.

Actions recorded in the hearing show both the immediate supplemental transfer to the Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund and the FY2026 enhancement package for the Department of Lands were approved and will proceed to the full Legislature for consideration.

The Department of Lands items included condition, limitations, and restrictions language adopted by unanimous consent to accompany the appropriation and enhancements.