NOTE: The governor signed this measure on 6/6/2016. SENATE BILL 16-003 BY SENATOR(S) Roberts and Jones, Baumgardner, Cooke, Merrifield, Aguilar, Crowder, Donovan, Grantham, Guzman, Heath, Johnston, Kefalas, Martinez Humenik, Neville T., Newell, Steadman, Todd; also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Becker K., Buck, Singer, Thurlow, Brown, Duran, Fields, Ginal, Hamner, Lebsock, Leonard, Mitsch Bush, Rankin, Rosenthal, Winter, Young. Concerning increased methods to reduce wildfire risk. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 36-7-402, amend (3) introductory portion as follows: 36-7-402. Definitions. As used in this part 4, unless the context otherwise requires: (3) "Hazardous fuel reduction treatment" means treatments that remove or reduce vegetative fuel, including mechanical, manual, broadcast burning, and pile burning fire treatments, in order to: SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 36-7-405, amend (2) as follows: 36-7-405. Wildfire risk reduction fund - creation - transfer - repeal. (2) (a) (I) On July 1, 2013, the state treasurer shall transfer from the general fund to the wildfire risk reduction fund the sum of nine million eight hundred thousand dollars. (II) This paragraph (a) is repealed, effective July 1, 2016. (b) (I) On July 1, 2016, the state treasurer shall transfer from the general fund to the wildfire risk reduction fund the sum of one million dollars. (II) This paragraph (b) is repealed, effective July 1, 2018. SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 2-3-1602, amend (1) and (4); and add (1.5) (c) as follows: 2-3-1602. Wildfire matters review committee - creation - repeal of part. (1) To address wildfire prevention and mitigation and to review and propose legislation relating to such matters, the wildfire matters review committee is hereby created, and is referred to in this part 16 as the "committee". The committee shall meet at the call of the chair at least once during the interim of each year to review and to propose legislation or other policy changes relating to wildfire prevention and mitigation and all related matters, including, without limitation, public safety and forest health, issues and cooperation with appropriate federal agencies and local governments. The committee may take up to two field trips during the interim and consult with experts in all fields relating to wildfire prevention and mitigation as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of this part 16. All personnel of any state agency or political subdivision of Colorado involved in wildfire prevention and mitigation, including the Colorado department of public safety and the Colorado state forest service, shall cooperate with the committee and with any persons assisting the committee in carrying out its duties pursuant to this section. On June 5, 2013, any remaining powers, duties, and responsibilities delegated to and possessed by the lower north fork wildfire commission created in section 2-2-1702 (1) are hereby transferred to the committee. (1.5) (c) (I) In 2016, in addition to any other matters it considers, the committee shall consider potential marketable uses for hazardous fuels in forests, including biochar, energy, liquid fuel, heat, wood waste products, and combined uses, for the purpose of maintaining and improving watershed health, forest health, job creation, impacts on carbon emissions, and innovation and determining the most economically viable, value-added means of removing woody materials, including those that are used in traditional wood products, from the forests, including a consideration of federal, state, and local governmental efforts in using woody materials; an examination of costs, including technology and transportation, markets, and the amount of woody material used for each potential use; consideration of the effects of structures and a warmer climate on forests and firefighter safety; and an updated report prepared by the Colorado state forest service concerning the issues specified by section 23-31-314, C.R.S., prior to its repeal on July 1, 2012. (II) This paragraph (c) is repealed, effective September 1, 2017. (4) (a) The committee shall select a chair and vice-chair from among its membership and president of the senate shall appoint the chair of the committee in even-numbered years and the vice-chair in odd-numbered years. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the chair of the committee in odd-numbered years and the vice-chair in even-numbered years. (b) The committee shall prescribe its own rules of procedure. SECTION 4. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety. ____________________________ ____________________________ Bill L. Cadman Dickey Lee Hullinghorst PRESIDENT OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES ____________________________ ____________________________ Effie Ameen Marilyn Eddins SECRETARY OF CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPROVED________________________________________ _________________________________________ John W. Hickenlooper GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO