Department of Lands outlines firefighting costs, Good Neighbor Authority gains and Timber Protective Association funding requests

Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Oct. 24 that the agency faces continuing uncertainty from variable fire seasons, increased costs and multi-year reimbursement timelines with federal partners.

Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, reviewed the Department of Lands’ budget structure and highlighted two budget features that lawmakers should note: a large number of dedicated funds that feed the agency and a continuously appropriated Fire Suppression Deficiency Warrant Fund the agency uses to cover suppression costs during active fire years.

“The legislature started pre-funding [the deficiency fund] in 2015,” Jessup said, explaining that the fund has received regular transfers so the agency can draw on the account when fires occur. Jessup also said the governor recommended transfers totaling $100 million across the current and next fiscal-year accounts: a $60 million supplemental transfer in the current year and a proposed $40 million transfer to the deficiency fund in the governor’s recommendation.

Director Miller told the committee the agency tracks suppression costs and outstanding invoices with federal partners and that some reimbursements can…