Committee introduces RS 32507 to create insurance fund for home hardening against wildfires

The House Health & Welfare Committee introduced RS 32507 on a motion after hearing from Representative Jordan Redmond and Idaho Department of Insurance Director Dean Cameron.

Director Dean Cameron told the committee the RS is a compromise product from work between the department, the sponsor and the insurance industry. "Essentially what it does is it sets up a fund in the Department of Insurance in the State Treasury and that fund would allow the Department of Insurance to issue grants or matching programs, and would allow us to help consumers be able to harden their homes to prevent those homes from being burnt in a wildfire," Cameron said. He added the objectives were to protect homeowners and help stabilize the marketplace to encourage insurers to participate in the state’s market.

Why it matters: The proposal would create a dedicated fund to pay for grants or matching programs aimed at wildfire mitigation at the property level. Proponents described the measure as a tool to reduce home losses and make the property insurance marketplace more stable and attractive to carriers.

Committee action: On a motion to introduce RS 32507 (moved in committee by Representative Healy), the committee voted in favor and the RS was introduced. The sponsor said details would be reserved for the Business Committee if the RS is printed as a bill.

Discussion summary: Director Cameron said the RS was developed over several years and represents compromises with industry stakeholders. He framed the measure as a consumer‑protection and market‑stabilization step. No dollar figures, specific grant eligibility criteria, or statutory citations were included in the hearing record.

Next steps: If printed, the RS would proceed to the Business Committee for additional detail and possible formal bill drafting.