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H 17

An act relating to approval of the adoption of the charter of the Town of Morristown

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Saudia Lamont and 1 co-sponsor

Idaho creates the Wildfire Risk Mitigation and Stabilization Pool to fund grants and programs that harden homes and stabilize fire-prone insurance markets via a 12-member board.

House message: Governor approved bill on May 5, 2025
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Bill Summary · H 17

Summary — House Bill H 17 (Idaho Wildfire Risk Mitigation and Stabilization Pool Act)

Status: Enacted — Governor approved May 5, 2025 (bill includes an emergency clause and an effective date)

Sponsors: Rep. Jordan Redman (sponsor listed in fiscal note contact); primary sponsors elsewhere listed as David Yacovone and Saudia LaMont in related tracking

Purpose

H 17 establishes the "Idaho Wildfire Risk Mitigation and Stabilization Pool Act" to help homeowners and communities reduce wildfire risk, make private property insurance more accessible and affordable in high-risk areas, and stabilize the property insurance market in Idaho by reducing insurer concentration and encouraging competition.

Key provisions

  • Creates an independent public body corporate and politic called the Idaho Wildfire Risk Mitigation and Stabilization Pool (the “pool”).
  • Creates the Wildfire Risk Mitigation and Stabilization Fund in the state treasury to hold moneys deposited for the pool. Interest earned on idle fund balances is returned to the fund.
  • Declares the pool and any assessments collected by it to be tax-exempt.
  • Authorizes the pool to receive and distribute money to mitigate wildfire risk through grants, matching programs, educational efforts, and other assistance aimed at “hardening” homes and communities.
  • Adds new statutory sections (41-2402 through 41-2408) to Title 41, Chapter 24 (Property Insurance Contracts), including legislative intent, definitions, establishment of the fund and board, plan of operation, powers/authority, funding sources, and immunity/liability provisions.
  • Amends section 41-406, Idaho Code, to provide for a specified distribution to the new pool (text indicates a distribution but full details are not included in the provided excerpt).
  • Declares an emergency to expedite effect.

Board composition and governance

  • A 12-member board of directors supervises the pool:
    • 10 members appointed by the Director of the Idaho Department of Insurance (representing insurers, insurance producers, the surplus line association, consumer interests, the forest products industry, and fire officials).
    • 1 senator (appointed by the Senate president pro tempore).
    • 1 representative (appointed by the House speaker).
    • Director (or designee) serves ex officio; other ex-officio members may be added by request (e.g., Dept. of Lands director, State Fire Marshal).
  • Initial non-legislative terms are staggered (2, 4 and 6 years); thereafter non-legislative terms are three years. Legislative members serve two-year terms.

Definitions / Target areas

  • “Target area” is defined by board criteria and may include areas with elevated wildfire risk, difficulty obtaining property coverage, where community mitigation would protect other property, or where deconcentration of risk would benefit the community.

Funding & Fiscal impact

  • The fund will be credited with moneys deposited under the statute and may receive other identified sources (section 41-2407 referenced). The bill intends to use non-general fund sources and a distribution amendment to 41-406.
  • Fiscal note (proponent-prepared) asserts no negative fiscal impact on state or local governments and anticipates positive economic effects if insurance rates stabilize and homes are hardened. Contact listed: Dean Cameron, Dept. of Insurance; Rep. Jordan Redman.

Who is affected

  • Homeowners and property owners in wildfire-prone or hard-to-insure areas.
  • Property insurers and insurance producers doing business in Idaho (potential participation charges for programs).
  • State agencies involved in wildfire mitigation (Dept. of Insurance, Dept. of Lands, State Fire Marshal).
  • Local communities potentially receiving grants and mitigation assistance.

Procedural / timeline highlights

  • Introduced Jan 16, 2025; reported and referred; passed both chambers in April 2025; delivered to Governor Apr 30, 2025; signed May 5, 2025. Emergency clause suggests immediate implementation (subject to statutory effective date language).

Notes / open items

  • Several operative sections (plan of operation, powers/authority, funding source details, immunity) were indicated but full text for those sections was not included in the excerpt provided; specifics on funding mechanisms, assessment levels, program eligibility, and immunity scope should be reviewed in the final enrolled law for operational details.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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