HB 421 increases the fire protection assessment rates charged by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to owners of forest land located in wildland fire protection districts or otherwise under contract for fire protection by a recognized agency. The bill amends Section 76-13-201, MCA, to raise the maximum annual flat fee from $50 to $58.70 per landowner in a protection district and the per-acre charge above 20 acres from 30 cents to 49 cents, with the rates intended to generate the revenue required under the related funding statute.
The bill also preserves the existing rule that participating landowners generally may not be charged additional amounts except in cases of proven negligence by the landowner or the landowner’s agent, or for violations of the referenced forest fire laws. The act takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects the statutory framework governing how DNRC finances and collects fire protection costs from eligible forest landowners.
Impact
HB 421 amends Montana’s forest fire protection assessment statute, Section 76-13-201, MCA, by increasing the maximum fees and acreage-based assessments that DNRC may collect from landowners in wildland fire protection districts or under fire protection contracts. The change affects forest landowners subject to these assessments and updates the revenue mechanism tied to fire protection services, while leaving the basic collection and liability rules in place. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received generally favorable support in both chambers, passing committee and floor votes with comfortable margins overall. It moved through the House and Senate with repeated do-pass or concurred votes, indicating broad agreement that the assessment increase was necessary or appropriate. The final Senate votes were somewhat closer than earlier stages, suggesting some reservations, but the overall legislative sentiment was positive.
Contention
The main point of contention is the increase in costs imposed on forest landowners, particularly the higher flat fee and per-acre assessment. Opposition appears to have come from members concerned about raising fees on private landowners or the burden of funding fire protection through assessments. Even so, the bill advanced with strong majorities, indicating that concerns about cost were outweighed by support for maintaining DNRC fire protection funding.