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Committee advances bills to keep DNRC's rapid‑response firefighting assets and clarify state authority near boundaries
Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony supporting two bills to make state wildfire preparedness funding permanent and to clarify when the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation can conduct aggressive initial attack near state boundaries; DNRC officials said the programs reduced large‑fire risk in 2023–24 and added reporting and coordination requirements.
Representative Lou Jones, sponsor of House Bill 127, told the House Natural Resources Committee the bill would make permanent a program created last year to fund fast‑attack firefighting assets for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).
"This program put on 1,300,000 gallons of water and did a ton to protect private property and stop fires from getting out of hand," Jones said, describing the aircraft, helicopters and rapid‑deployment crews the program funded during 2024.
Wyatt Frampton, deputy division administrator for DNRC's Forestry and Trust Lands Division, said HB 127 builds on a pilot from the 68th Legislature and adds a reporting requirement to ensure transparency and accountability. "House bill 127 not only enhances our…
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