HB 2104-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Declares an intent that the costs of fire protection be equitably shared between the forest protection assessment account and state contributions to ensure that there will be sufficient fire fighters who are equipped and trained to respond quickly to fires in order to keep fires small and manage those large fires that do occur.  In recognition of increases in landowner assessments, the legislature declares its intent that increases in the state's share for forest protection should be provided to stabilize the funding for the forest protection program, and that sufficient state funds should be committed to the forest protection program so that the recommendations contained in the 1997 tridata report can be implemented on an equitable basis.

     Increases the assessment for fire protection for parcels of land over 50 acres by three cents for every acre over 50 acres.