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Committee advances House Bill 78 to fund forest health grants aimed at reducing wildfire risk and protecting water
Summary
House Bill 78, a forest health grant program that would fund projects on state, private and strategically selected federal lands, received a unanimous committee 'due pass' after testimony from conservation groups, industry and state forestry officials emphasizing wildfire prevention, water protection and cost‑share opportunities.
House Bill 78, a measure to establish a forest health grant program, moved forward after a joint Select Water and House Agriculture Committee hearing that featured presentations from the bill sponsor, state forestry officials and a range of stakeholders.
Senator Larry Hicks, the bill presenter, told the committee the legislation is a refined version of a measure that passed the Senate last year and is intended to address deteriorating forest conditions, rising wildfire suppression costs and impacts to water yield and other natural resources. “This is actually the second year that this bill has come through you,” Hicks said, describing the measure as a “rational, reasonable, and much‑needed first step” to restore forest health.
The bill establishes a new state account for forest health projects and authorizes the state…
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