Committee reports three bills after executive session; two bills deferred

The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee met in executive session on Feb. 18, 2025, and took formal action on multiple bills. The committee adopted an amendment and reported a substitute for House Bill 1563 with a due pass recommendation; it also reported House Bill 1609 and the proposed substitute to House Bill 1707 with due pass recommendations. The committee deferred action on House Bill 1608 and House Bill 1735.

House Bill 1563 (prescribed fire claims fund pilot) Representative Melanie Morgan (Vice Chair) moved that House Bill 15 63 be reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation and the committee moved to adopt amendment H1463.1. Representative Dent explained the amendment addresses stakeholder concerns and clarifies eligible claim types and definitions. The adopted amendment broadened landscape references, allowed local government entities to be supported for prescribed burning, removed DNR fire…