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Representative seeks bill file to refill depleted wildland fire insurance fund
Summary
Representative Johnson told the House the state's wildland fire insurance fund is depleted, asked for permission to open a bill file to allow additional counties to opt into the fund without new appropriation, and the chamber granted leave to draft legislation.
Representative Johnson asked the House for permission to open a bill file to address an urgent shortfall in the state's wildland fire insurance fund. On the floor he said the fund is "broke" and explained that allowing counties that have not opted in an opportunity to join could restore solvency without requiring a new state appropriation. "There's a million and a half dollars that goes into this fund," he said, arguing code changes are needed so counties can opt in and the fund "will be made whole again."
Representative Steiler spoke in favor of the request and observed that the fund currently charges a penalty to counties that did not previously choose to participate; he suggested waiving that penalty to allow wider participation and strengthen the fund. After brief discussion and representation that the sponsor would prefer no summation, the House voted to grant Representative Johnson leave to open the bill file and file legislation. The motion passed by voice vote.
The transcript records the request and the House's permission to draft legislation; it does not include a formal bill text or specify detailed funding changes. The next step will be the sponsor drafting a bill and presenting it to committee for consideration.
