Amends and adds to existing law to establish the Wildfire Risk Mitigation Fund.
DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE -- Amends and adds to existing law to establish the Wildfire Risk Mitigation Fund.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
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Thepurposeofthislegislationistoaddressthechallengesconsumersarefacinginobtainingaffordableproperty coverage due to potential wildfire risk. Insurers across the country are contracting or withdrawing from certain areas due to the risk of wildfire. Some states have seen a significant number of carriers leave the entire state. The issue is driven due to the number of forest fires, the high volume of properties damaged by wildfires in other states, the high cost of reinsurance to mitigate the risk and the inflationary cost to replace structures. As insurers contract, it causes market instability and consolidation risk. Other insurers are forced to reconsider their market share. Insurers who stay in the market face consolidation issues which could create solvency issues. TheproposalaimstoimproveandstabilizethemarketthroughthecreationofanIdahoWildfireRiskMitigation Fund. Itismodeledaftermitigationfundsinotherstates. Itwillprovidegrantstoassistconsumersinhardening their homes for the risk of fires.
FISCAL NOTE
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There is minimal ongoing fiscal impact for one grant/contract officer FTP of $86,700 for the Department of Insurance. To assure implementation of the program in FY2025, a supplemental would be needed. There is no negative fiscal impact to any local units of government. There is a positive impact as homes are hardened and saved from wildfire.
LATEST ACTION
Reported Printed and Referred to Business
BILL INFO
- Session
- 2025
- Chamber
- house
- Status date
- Mar 7, 2025
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