Panel advances bill to reimburse volunteer wildland firefighters for training and travel
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Summary
Representative Stender said House Bill 1379 (with adopted amendment 01595) allows DCNR to create a fund to reimburse volunteer wildland firefighters for travel and certain trainings; the committee advanced the bill unanimously.
Representative Stender introduced an amendment to House Bill 13 79 that, he said, would authorize the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to reimburse certain volunteer wildland firefighters for travel and training costs by creating an additional fund. Stender described volunteers who “quite literally leave their families at a moment's notice” and noted some live‑fire training and long commutes currently go unreimbursed.
The amendment (01595) was adopted. Stender described the bill as district‑driven, aiming to remove legal barriers that previously prevented reimbursement for training and to show appreciation for volunteers. Chair Gillan praised the effort as prototypical legislator conduct and referenced the 1994 South Canyon Fire in support of the public‑safety rationale.
Following discussion the committee recorded no negative votes and moved the bill, as amended, to the floor for consideration.
The transcript records the amendment adoption and unanimous advancement but does not include a fiscal note in the hearing record.
