Fiscal Highlights - July 2016

Catastrophic Fire Prevention Program - Ivan D. Djambov ( PDF)

The Legislature passed the following pieces of legislation directing the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands to develop a comprehensive catastrophic wildland fire prevention, preparedness, and mitigation strategy:
  • S.C.R. 7, "Concurrent Resolution on Comprehensive Statewide Wildland Fire Prevention, Preparedness, and Suppression Policy" (2014), which stated that "the Legislature and the Governor strongly urge the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands to coordinate the development of a Comprehensive Statewide Wildland Fire Prevention, Preparedness, and Suppression Policy." 
  • S.B. 56, "Wildland Fire Policy" (2015), which codified the three goals (listed below and directed the State Forester to coordinate the development of a comprehensive, statewide wildland fire prevention, preparedness and suppression policy. 
  • S.B. 122, "Wildland Fire Policy Updates" (2016), also referred to as "fire policy," which created the new wildland fire management system.
  • S.B. 212, "Wildland Fire Suppression Fund" (2016), which created new funding sources for the Wildland Fire Suppression Fund.  
The three goals (as found in 65A-8-103) embraced by the division are:                    
  • Restoring and maintaining landscapes: ensuring landscapes across the state are resilient to wildfire-related disturbances, in accordance with fire management objectives;  
  • Creating fire-adapted communities: ensuring that human populations and infrastructure can withstand a wildfire without loss of life or property;                 
  • Improving wildfire response: ensuring that all political subdivisions can participate in making and implementing safe, effective, and efficient risk-based wildfire management decisions.  
The Legislature appropriated the following funding from the Sovereign Lands Management Restricted Account for catastrophic fire prevention:                 
  • FY 2015: $3.9 million ($1.9 million to the division and $2.0 million to the Watershed Program);
  • FY 2016: $4.5 million ($2.5 million to the division and $2.0 million to the Watershed Program);
  • FY 2017: $3.0 million ($1.0 million to the division and $2.0 million to the Watershed Program). 
July 2016 Content ( PDF)
Behavioral Health Needs of At-Risk and Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth - Clare Tobin Lence
At the July interim meeting of the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice (EOCJ) Appropriations S...
Catastrophic Fire Prevention Program - Ivan D. Djambov
The Legislature passed the following pieces of legislation directing the Division of Forestry, Fire...
Concurrent Enrollment a Benefit for Students - Spencer C. Pratt
Concurrent enrollment proves to be a benefit for students financially and in preparing them for pos...
EOCJ Interim Meeting Summary and Action - Gary R. Syphus
The Executive Offices and Criminal Justice (EOCJ) Appropriations Subcommittee met on July 14th at t...
Follow up on Building Blocks Within Social Services - Russell T. Frandsen
The Fiscal Analyst's Office reports annually on the implementation of fiscal notes and budget actio...
Following up on Past Budget Items and Fiscal Notes 2016 Interim - Stephen C. Jardine
The Fiscal Analyst's Office reports annually on the implementation of fiscal notes and budget act...
Looking at the Present Value of Bonding for Certain Projects - Thomas E. Young
During the 2016 General Session, the Legislature gave the following direction to the Utah Departmen...
Providing for the Mental Health Needs of the Utah National Guard - Steven M. Allred
When a National Guard service member deploys for military service, training, or especially combat, ...
Transportation and Water Infrastructure Funding - Angela J. Oh
The Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee had their first 2016 interi...
Utah Compared to Other States with a Triple-Triple-A Credit Rating - Brian Wikle
Utah has earned a triple-A credit rating (the highest) from each of the three major credit rating a...
Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Long Term Issues - Andrea Wilko
The Business and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee held their June 22nd meeting at t...
Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Utah County Modular Classrooms - Jill L.Curry
In an effort to better understand budget issues regarding Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (...

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