Committee passes wildfire restoration grant measure with amendments, 4-3

The House Appropriations Committee voted to pass Senate File 148 as amended, approving a smaller, grant-focused package to help communities recover from the state's recent wildfire season.

Senator Barry Crago, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure was intended to address landscape and watershed restoration after the summer's fires and to limit the state contribution to projects that provide a clear public benefit. "The conditions will be...the weeds will love it if we're not there to take care of it," Crago said, summarizing the need to treat invasive grasses and restore vegetation after fire.

What the bill does (as discussed) Crago said his original filing reflected a broader supplemental request; the version before the committee narrowed the scope to pay primarily for restoration of grass and vegetation destroyed by wildfires, invasive-species treatment and watershed-health projects. He described line…