SB 23-013

Senate Bill 23-013, also known as the Fire Investigations bill, directs the Colorado Department of Public Safety to report on wildland fire investigations and establishes a fund to support these investigations. The bill allocates $2,764,021 for the fiscal year 2023-2024 to cover expenses like vehicle leases, salaries, operating costs, and reimbursements for local fire investigation teams. This bill has been signed into law by the governor and is now effective as of May 12, 2023. It primarily benefits those involved in investigating wildland fires across Colorado.

Official Summary

The act directs the director of the division of fire prevention and control (division) within the department of public safety to report on the investigation of wildland fires in the state and creates the fire investigation fund to fund fire investigations. The money in the fund is subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly, and the division must prioritize money in the fund for wildland fire investigations. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, $2,764,021 is appropriated to the fire investigation fund from the general fund and the money is reappropriated to the department of public safety for vehicle lease payments, personal services, operating expenses, and local fire investigation reimbursements. APPROVED by Governor May 12, 2023 EFFECTIVE May 12, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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