Committee approves bill clarifying State Forester duties, creates wildfire task force and restores firefighting borrowing authority

The House Appropriations Committee voted to pass Senate File 152 after testimony from the bill sponsor, the state forester and multiple local fire officials. The bill clarifies the duties of the Wyoming State Forester, establishes a Wildfire Management Task Force to study statewide wildfire response and restores borrowing authority to help refill the Emergency Fire Suppression Account used for large incidents.

Why it matters: Lawmakers and fire service leaders said the state spent heavily on the 2024 fire season and local fire districts could not cover large wildfire suppression costs on their own. Creating clearer duties for the State Forester and convening a multi‑stakeholder task force are intended to address coordination, training, funding and private‑contractor standards that emerged as problems in recent fires.

Senator Barlow, who introduced the bill, summarized its structure at the committee hearing: “The bill is basically 3 different things.” He said the measure (1) amends the duties and authorities of the State Forester, (2) establishes a Wildfire Management Task Force, and (3) contains appropriations/borrowing authority to refill emergency firefighting accounts. Barlow told the committee the bill had already been amended twice in the Senate and noted a provision that reduces amounts in this bill dollar‑for‑dollar if the supplemental budget provides the same funding.

Wyoming State Forester Kelly Norris told the committee the statutory changes mostly codify activities the forester’s office already performs. “Almost all the proposed duties in Senate File 152 are duties the state forester is already being expected to do,” Norris said, then outlined duties the bill would place in the forester statute, including coordination with political subdivisions, pre‑positioning resources, training programs, and standards for private contractors hired by insurers to operate on wildfires.

Committee members asked for specifics on rulemaking and on how the forester will coordinate with local districts and federal agencies. Norris and her staff said the forester already issues operational guidance and agreements in coordination with the Wyoming Rural Fire Association, and that the task force will provide a forum to consider broader changes, including funding and statutory adjustments, as federal resource availability shifts.

The task force, as amended in the Senate standing committee, includes representatives from the Governor’s office, state fire service organizations, the insurance commissioner, the forest products industry, a member of the State Forester’s office, local government and legislators. Several witnesses urged additional representation, including conservation districts and electrical utilities, and committee members debated the panel’s size. The committee ultimately approved a membership configuration with a limited number of legislative seats and a single “other expertise” seat discussed during amendment debate.

Local fire officials and associations testified in support. Jerry Parker, Park County fire warden, said the EFSA and the State Forester’s coordination are critical: “It is very important to the fire service.” Eric Quinney, president of the Wyoming Fire Chiefs Association, said the bill “is our top legislative priority” following the 2024 season and that large costs — including aviation and contracted resources — exceed most local budgets. Quinney said Wyoming expended roughly $56,000,000 on firefighting in 2024 and that local jurisdictions rely on state resources and the EFSA for large incidents.

The bill also contains money for the task force and per‑diems. Committee materials and testimony said the bill allocated $25,000 for legislative members and $25,000 for non‑legislative members who are not otherwise state employees, and designates Legislative Service Office (LSO) staff support.

A Senate standing committee increase of borrowing authority from $30,000,000 to $40,000,000 was discussed in committee; Representative Sherwood later offered an amendment during the House Appropriations hearing to return that figure to $30,000,000 to align with the Governor’s supplemental request. The bill also contains a dollar‑for‑dollar reduction clause so that any supplemental budget action preempts duplicative funding in this bill.

After public comment, Representative Angelos moved the bill and Representative Harrelson seconded. The committee approved Senate File 152 as amended on a roll‑call vote. The roll call recorded aye votes from Representatives Aleman, Angelos, Harrelson, Grama, Sherwood, Smith and Chairman Bair (7 ayes). The committee reported the bill “do pass” with amendments and discussed floor managers; Representative Angelos indicated willingness to carry the bill on the floor.

The statute changes in the bill place wildfire coordination items explicitly in the State Forester’s duties (Chapter 36 language referenced in testimony), create a multi‑stakeholder task force charged with a November reporting date, and provide borrowing authority and appropriations intended to refill the EFSA and to reimburse other emergency accounts used during the 2024 fire season.

What’s next: The committee referred the bill to the floor with amendments and identified a House member to carry it for floor consideration. If enacted, the task force will convene under LSO staffing and deliver recommendations to the Governor and Legislature as scheduled in the bill.