Makes a supplemental appropriation to the Division of Forestry of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for an unanticipated shortfall related to firefighting costs. (BDR S-1176)

2025 Regular Session

Provides a one-time $20,733,824 General Fund supplement to the Division of Forestry to cover unanticipated firefighting costs, supplementing the 2023 appropriation.

Chapter 304.

Main purpose

AB 561 provides a supplemental appropriation from the State General Fund to the Division of Forestry (within the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) to cover an unanticipated shortfall in firefighting costs. The appropriation supplements an earlier appropriation made in 2023 (section 23 of chapter 209, Statutes of Nevada 2023).

Key provisions

Appropriation: Adds a one-time supplemental appropriation of $20,733,824 from the State General Fund to the Division of Forestry for an unanticipated shortfall related to firefighting costs.

Note: the bill was introduced with an initial appropriation amount of $18,589,145 and was amended (Assembly Amendment No. 713) to increase the appropriation to $20,733,824.

Supplement: Explicitly states this appropriation is supplemental to the 2023 appropriation referenced above.

Effective date: The act becomes effective upon passage and approval.

Who is affected

Direct beneficiary: Division of Forestry, State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources — funds intended to cover firefighting-related expenses (e.g., suppression operations, emergency contracts, personnel overtime, equipment, contractor payments, or other wildfire suppression needs as incurred).

Fiscal effect: Reduction (or appropriation) from the State General Fund in the amount appropriated. The bill notes no effect on local government.

Indirectly affected: State budgeting and finance operations that manage the General Fund and emergency firefighting expenditures.

Fiscal and procedural notes

Fiscal disclosure: The bill contains an appropriation and was included in the executive budget materials; it was reviewed by legislative fiscal committees.

Legislative history (high level): Introduced in 2025; amended to increase the appropriation; passed by the Legislature and approved by the Governor in 2025; chaptered and became law in 2025. (Assembly Amendment No. 713 is the amendment that adjusted the appropriation figure.)

Relation to prior law: Explicitly supplements the appropriation provided in chapter 209, Statutes of Nevada 2023 (section 23), page 1242.

Context/Implications

The bill responds to an unexpected shortfall in wildfire suppression funding during the fiscal year, providing immediate General Fund support to ensure the Division of Forestry can meet operational obligations.

As a supplemental, one-time appropriation, it does not create an ongoing funding obligation beyond the specified amount.

Bill