Fiscal Note
3rd Sub. H.B. 48 (Cherry)
2025 General Session
Wildland Urban Interface Modifications
by Snider, Casey
General, Income Tax, and Uniform School Funds JR4-4-101
Ongoing One-time Total
Net GF/ITF/USF (rev.-exp.) $(25,000) $0 $(25,000)
State Government UCA 36-12-13(2)(c)
Revenues FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027
General Fund $0 $(25,000) $(25,000)
Insurance Department Acct (GFR) $0 $25,000 $25,000
Wildland-Urban Interface
Prevention, Preparedness, and
Mitigation Fund
$0 $4,160,000 $4,160,000
Total Revenues $0 $4,160,000 $4,160,000
Enactment of this Legislation could generate $4,160,000 ongoing in revenue for the Wildland-urban
Interface Prevention, Preparedness, and Mitigation Fund from high risk property owners in the wildland
urban interface paying fees based on their associated level of fire risk. This amount may be lower
depending on the amount of the fee retained by counties for their costs in implementing the property
evaluation program. Enactment of this Legislation could reduce the year-end transfer to the General
Fund by $25,000 ongoing starting in FY 2026 and proportionately increase revenues to the Insurance
Department Restricted Account from investigating an estimated 10 claims by property owners in the
WUI.
Expenditures FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027
Insurance Department Acct (GFR) $0 $25,000 $25,000
Wildland-Urban Interface
Prevention, Preparedness, and
Mitigation Fund
$0 $4,160,000 $4,160,000
Total Expenditures $0 $4,185,000 $4,185,000
Enactment of this Legislation could cost the Department of Natural Resources $4,160,000 ongoing
beginning in FY 2026 from the Wildland-urban Interface Prevention, Preparedness, and Mitigation
Fund for staff and associated expenses, travel, and technology required to implement the wildland
urban interface (WUI) property evaluation program as outlined in the bill. These costs may be lower
depending on the effort provided by counties for their costs in implementing the property evaluation
program. Enactment of this Legislation could also cost the Department of Insurance $25,000 ongoing
beginning in FY 2026 from the Insurance Department Restricted Account to investigate an estimated
10 claims by property owners in the WUI.
3rd Sub. H.B. 48 (Cherry)
2025/02/19 11:05, Lead Analyst: Lacey Moore, Attorney: Owen, P. FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027
Net All Funds $0 $(25,000) $(25,000)
Local Government UCA 36-12-13(2)(c)
Enactment of this Legislation requires local governments to collect a fee based on the square footage
of structures from owners of high risk wildland urban interface properties. It's estimated that counties
will collect $4,160,000 in fee revenue from property owners statewide. It is unknown how much of
this fee will be retained by counties and how much will be transferred to the Department of Natural
Resources.
Individuals & Businesses UCA 36-12-13(2)(c)
Enactment of this Legislation would require property owners in the Wildland-urban Interface to remit
a fee to the county based on the square footage of structures on their property. It's estimated that the
high risk owners of approximately 80,000 properties will pay $52 per property for an aggregate amount
of $4,160,000.
Regulatory Impact UCA 36-12-13(2)(d)
Enactment of this legislation could result in a small increase in the regulatory burden for Utah residents
or businesses.
Performance Evaluation JR1-4-601
This bill creates a new program or significantly expands an existing program.
For a list of questions lawmakers might ask to improve accountability for the proposed program,
please see: https://budget.utah.gov/newprogram
Notes on Notes
Fiscal explanations estimate the direct costs or revenues of enacting a bill. The Legislature uses them to balance the budget. They do not
measure a bill's benefits or non-fiscal impacts like opportunity costs, wait times, or inconvenience. A fiscal explanation is not an appropriation. The
Legislature decides appropriations separately.
3rd Sub. H.B. 48 (Cherry)
2025/02/19 11:05, Lead Analyst: Lacey Moore, Attorney: Owen, P.