Committee Hears Testimony to Make Washington’s Aviation Assurance Program Permanent

The Washington House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 23 heard public testimony on HB 2104, which would remove the program sunset for the Aviation Assurance Funding Program and make the DNR-run aerial-response program permanent. Lily Smith of committee staff summarized the program’s eligibility rules and reporting requirements, and said the bill would remove the program’s current July 1, 2027 expiration.

Representative Tom Dent, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the committee the program helps small rural fire departments call for aviation assets during initial attack and argued it has reduced the size of many fires. “If they meet the criteria that staff outlined, they were able to reach out and get air assets in there,” Dent said, adding that aviation has kept many fires to “10 acres or less.”

Washington State Forester George Geisler testified DNR is “in full support” of making the pilot permanent. He said last fire year DNR flew about 160 flight hours across 41 incidents and delivered nearly 1,000,000 gallons of retardant or water. “We estimate that there were 207 structures and property estimated over $100,000,000 that was protected,” Geisler said, framing the program as both a public-safety and cost-saving measure.

Local fire leaders who used the program described operational benefits and life‑saving rescues. Noel Harden, fire chief of Southern County Fire District No. 1, said aircraft rapidly located a woman lost in smoke during a wind‑driven fire and guided ground crews to her; he urged continued full funding. Retired chief Robert Bell said early aerial response has “saved millions of taxpayer dollars” by preventing state mobilizations and urged a yes vote on HB 2104.

Committee members asked about costs and response times. Geisler said districts now call DNR dispatch directly and assets typically respond within 30–45 minutes, depending on availability; he said state mobilizations often exceed $1 million while individual aviation use could range from roughly $5,000 to $25,000 per day depending on the number of aircraft.

The committee closed the public hearing; staff read into the record those signed in but not testifying (215 pro, 1 con, 0 other). No formal action or vote was taken during the hearing. The bill’s fiscal note is available to the committee.