Utah 2025 Regular Session

Utah House Bill HB0048 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	Enrolled Copy H.B. 48
	1	+	02-17 12:26 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48
	2	+	Casey Snider proposes the following substitute bill:
2	3		1
3	4		Wildland Urban Interface Modifications
4	5		2025 GENERAL SESSION
5	6		STATE OF UTAH
6	7		Chief Sponsor: Casey Snider
7	8		Senate Sponsor: Michael K. McKell
8	9		2
9	10
10	11		3
11	12		LONG TITLE
12	13		4
13	14		General Description:
14	15		5
15	16		This bill addresses efforts to oversee wildfire risks associated with wildland urban interface
16	17		6
17	18		property.
18	19		7
19	20		Highlighted Provisions:
20	21		8
21	22		This bill:
22	23		9
23	24		▸ defines terms;
24	25		10
25	26		▸ requires counties to take certain actions related to wildland urban interface property,
26	27		11
27	28		including assessing a fee;
28	29		12
29	30		▸ directs the fee to be retained by a county and deposited into the Wildland-urban Interface
30	31		13
31	32		Prevention, Preparedness, and Mitigation Fund;
32	33		14
33	34		▸ addresses insuring wildland urban interface property;
34	35		15
35	36		▸ imposes notice requirements related to insuring wildland urban interface property;
36	37		16
37	38		▸ requires counties and municipalities to adopt the wildland urban interface building code
38	39		17
39	40		standards;
40	41		18
41	42		▸ permits the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands (division) to choose not to cover
42	43		19
43	44		costs of local governments under certain circumstances;
44	45		20
45	46		▸ directs the division to establish a program for wildland urban interface coordinators to
46	47		21
47	48		evaluate, using a triage scale, high risk wildland urban interface property;
48	49		22
49	50		▸ addresses actions related to evaluating the high risk wildland urban interface property;
50	51		23
51	52		▸ provides for a database to be accessed by certain insurers related to evaluating high risk
52	53		24
53	54		wildland urban interface property;
54	55		25
55	56		▸ authorizes rulemaking;
56	57		26
57	58		▸ addresses liability; and
58	59		27
59		-	▸ makes technical changes. ~~H.B. 48 Enrolled Copy~~
	60	+	▸ makes technical changes.
60	61		28
61	62		Money Appropriated in this Bill:
	63	+	3rd Sub. H.B. 48 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48 02-17 12:26
62	64		29
63	65		None
64	66		30
65	67		Other Special Clauses:
66	68		31
67	69		This bill provides a special effective date.
68	70		32
69	71		Utah Code Sections Affected:
70	72		33
71	73		AMENDS:
72	74		34
73	75		15A-5-203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapters 21, 381
74	76		35
75	77		63G-7-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 34, 105, 259, 329, 452, and
76	78		36
77	79		456
78	80		37
79	81		65A-8-203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 77
80	82		38
81	83		65A-8-215, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 77
82	84		39
83	85		ENACTS:
84	86		40
85	87		17-16-22, Utah Code Annotated 1953
86	88		41
87	89		31A-22-1310, Utah Code Annotated 1953
88	90		42
89	91		65A-8-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
90	92		43
91	93		65A-8-402, Utah Code Annotated 1953
92	94		44
93	95		65A-8-403, Utah Code Annotated 1953
94	96		45
95	97
96	98		46
97	99		Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
98	100		47
99	101		Section 1. Section 15A-5-203 is amended to read:
100	102		48
101	103		15A-5-203 . Amendments and additions to IFC related to fire safety, building,
102	104		49
103	105		and site requirements.
104	106		50
105	107		(1) For IFC, Chapter 5, Fire Service Features:
106	108		51
107	109		(a) In IFC, Chapter 5, a new Section 501.5, Access grade and fire flow, is added as
108	110		52
109	111		follows: "An authority having jurisdiction over a structure built in accordance with
110	112		53
111	113		the requirements of the International Residential Code as adopted in the State
112	114		54
113	115		Construction Code, may require an automatic fire sprinkler system for the structure
114	116		55
115	117		only by ordinance and only if any of the following conditions exist:
116	118		56
117	119		(i) the structure:
118	120		57
119	121		(A) is located in an urban-wildland interface area as provided in the Utah
120	122		58
121	123		Wildland Urban Interface Code adopted as a construction code under the State
122	124		59
123	125		Construction Code; and
124	126		60
125	127		(B) does not meet the requirements described in Utah Code, Subsection 65A-8-203
126	128		61
127	129		(4)[(a)] (f) and Utah Administrative Code, R652-122-1300, Minimum
128		-	- 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 48
129	130		62
130	131		Standards for County Wildland Fire Ordinance;
	132	+	- 2 - 02-17 12:26 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48
131	133		63
132	134		(ii) the structure is in an area where a public water distribution system with fire
133	135		64
134	136		hydrants does not exist as required in Utah Administrative Code, R309-550-5,
135	137		65
136	138		Water Main Design;
137	139		66
138	140		(iii) the only fire apparatus access road has a grade greater than 10% for more than
139	141		67
140	142		500 continual feet;
141	143		68
142	144		(iv) the total floor area of all floor levels within the exterior walls of the dwelling unit
143	145		69
144	146		exceeds 10,000 square feet; or
145	147		70
146	148		(v) the total floor area of all floor levels within the exterior walls of the dwelling unit
147	149		71
148	150		is double the average of the total floor area of all floor levels of unsprinkled
149	151		72
150	152		homes in the subdivision that are no larger than 10,000 square feet.
151	153		73
152	154		(vi) Exception: A single family dwelling does not require a fire sprinkler system if
153	155		74
154	156		the dwelling:
155	157		75
156	158		(A) is located outside the wildland urban interface;
157	159		76
158	160		(B) is built in a one-lot subdivision; and
159	161		77
160	162		(C) has 50 feet of defensible space on all sides that limits the propensity of fire
161	163		78
162	164		spreading from the dwelling to another property."
163	165		79
164	166		(b) In IFC, Chapter 5, Section 506.1, Where Required, is deleted and rewritten as
165	167		80
166	168		follows: "Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of
167	169		81
168	170		secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or
169	171		82
170	172		fire-fighting purposes, the fire code official, after consultation with the building
171	173		83
172	174		owner, may require a key box to be installed in an approved location. The key box
173	175		84
174	176		shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official. For
175	177		85
176	178		each fire jurisdiction that has at least one building with a required key box, the fire
177	179		86
178	180		jurisdiction shall adopt an ordinance, resolution, or other operating rule or policy that
179	181		87
180	182		creates a process to ensure that each key to each key box is properly accounted for
181	183		88
182	184		and secure."
183	185		89
184	186		(c) In IFC, Chapter 5, a new Section 507.1.1, Isolated one- and two-family dwellings, is
185	187		90
186	188		added as follows: "Fire flow may be reduced for an isolated one- and two-family
187	189		91
188	190		dwelling when the authority having jurisdiction over the dwelling determines that the
189	191		92
190	192		development of a full fire-flow requirement is impractical."
191	193		93 (d) In IFC, Chapter 5, a new Section 507.1.2, Pre-existing subdivision lots, is added as follows:
192	194		94
193	195		"507.1.2 Pre-existing subdivision lots.
194	196		95
195	197		The requirements for a pre-existing subdivision lot shall not exceed the requirements
196		-	- 3 - H.B. 48 Enrolled Copy
197	198		96
198	199		described in Section 501.5."
	200	+	- 3 - 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48 02-17 12:26
199	201		97
200	202		(e) In IFC, Chapter 5, Section 507.5.1, here required, a new exception is added: "3. One
201	203		98
202	204		interior and one detached accessory dwelling unit on a single residential lot."
203	205		99
204	206		(f) IFC, Chapter 5, Section 510.1, Emergency responder communication coverage in
205	207		100
206	208		new buildings, is amended by adding: "When required by the fire code official,
207	209		101
208	210		unless the new building is a public school as that term is defined in Section
209	211		102
210	212		53G-9-205.1 or a private school, then the fire code official shall require," at the
211	213		103
212	214		beginning of the first paragraph.
213	215		104
214	216		(2) For IFC, Chapter 6, Building Services and Systems:
215	217		105
216	218		(a) IFC, Chapter 6, Section 604.6.1, Elevator key location, is deleted and rewritten as
217	219		106
218	220		follows: "Firefighter service keys shall be kept in a "Supra-Stor-a-key" elevator key
219	221		107
220	222		box or similar box with corresponding key system that is adjacent to the elevator for
221	223		108
222	224		immediate use by the fire department. The key box shall contain one key for each
223	225		109
224	226		elevator, one key for lobby control, and any other keys necessary for emergency
225	227		110
226	228		service. The elevator key box shall be accessed using a 6049 numbered key."
227	229		111
228	230		(b) IFC, Chapter 6, Section 606.1, General, is amended as follows: On line three, after
229	231		112
230	232		the word "Code", add the words "and NFPA 96".
231	233		113
232	234		(c) IFC, Chapter 6, Section 607.2, a new exception 5 is added as follows: "5. A Type 1
233	235		114
234	236		hood is not required for a cooking appliance in a microenterprise home kitchen, as
235	237		115
236	238		that term is defined in Utah Code, Section 26B-7-401, for which the operator obtains
237	239		116
238	240		a permit in accordance with Section 26B-7-416."
239	241		117
240	242		(3) IFC, Chapter 7, Fire and Smoke Protection Features, Section 702.5, is deleted.
241	243		118
242	244		Section 2. Section 17-16-22 is enacted to read:
243	245		119
244	246		17-16-22 . Wildland urban interface evaluation and fees.
245	247		120
246	248		(1) As used in this section:
247	249		121
248	250		(a) "County officer" means the same as that term is defined in Section 17-16-21.
249	251		122
250	252		(b) "High risk wildland urban interface property" means the same as that term is defined
251	253		123
252	254		in Section 65A-8-401.
253	255		124
254	256		(c) "Wildland urban interface" means the same as that term is defined in Section
255	257		125
256	258		65A-8-401.
257	259		126
258	260		(d) "Wildland urban interface coordinator" means the same as that term is defined in
259	261		127
260	262		Section 65A-8-401.
261	263		128
262	264		(2) If evaluation of high risk wildland urban interface property is assigned to a county under
263	265		129
264	266		Section 65A-8-402:
265		-	- 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 48
266	267		130
267	268		(a) the county shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the Division of Forestry,
	269	+	- 4 - 02-17 12:26 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48
268	270		131
269	271		Fire, and State Lands, in accordance with Subsection 65A-8-203(2)(a), which
270	272		132
271	273		agreement shall address compliance with this Subsection (2) for evaluation and
272	274		133
273	275		classification of high risk wildland urban interface property; and
274	276		134
275	277		(b) a county officer shall require that a wildland urban interface coordinator representing
276	278		135
277	279		the county annually evaluate high risk wildland urban interface property within the
278	280		136
279	281		county in accordance with Section 65A-8-402.
280	282		137
281	283		(3) Beginning January 1, 2026, a county officer shall:
282	284		138
283	285		(a) annually assess a fee:
284	286		139
285	287		(i) against the property owner of high risk wildland urban interface property within
286	288		140
287	289		the incorporated and unincorporated portions of the county; and
288	290		141
289	291		(ii) in the amount set by the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands under Section
290	292		142
291	293		65A-8-402; and
292	294		143
293	295		(b)(i) after retaining a portion of the fee under Subsection (3)(b)(ii), transmit the fee
294	296		144
295	297		assessed under Subsection (3)(a) to the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands
296	298		145
297	299		for deposit into the Wildland-urban Interface Prevention, Preparedness, and
298	300		146
299	301		Mitigation Fund created in Section 65A-8-215; and
300	302		147
301	303		(ii) retain that portion of the fee assessed under Subsection (3)(a) necessary to pay
302	304		148
303	305		costs incurred by the county in implementing this section, which the county may
304	306		149
305	307		include in the county's annual accounting of wildfire prevention, preparedness,
306	308		150
307	309		mitigation actions, and associated costs for purposes of Subsection
308	310		151
309	311		65A-8-203(4)(c).
310	312		152
311	313		(4) A county may hold a political subdivision lien on high risk wildland urban interface
312	314		153
313	315		property for a fee that is past due by following the procedures in Sections 17B-1-902
314	316		154
315	317		and 17B-1-902.1, as if the county is a special district.
316	318		155
317	319		Section 3. Section 31A-22-1310 is enacted to read:
318	320		156
319	321		31A-22-1310 . Insuring wildland urban interface property.
320	322		157
321	323		(1) As used in this section:
322	324		158
323	325		(a) "High risk wildland urban interface property" means the same as that term is defined
324	326		159
325	327		in Section 65A-8-401.
326	328		160
327	329		(b) "Wildland urban interface" means the same as that term is defined in Section
328	330		161
329	331		65A-8-401.
330	332		162
331	333		(c) "Wildland urban interface property and casualty insurer" means an insurer that issues
332	334		163
333	335		property or casualty insurance for wildland urban interface property.
334		-	- 5 - H.B. 48 Enrolled Copy
335	336		164
336	337		(2)(a) For purposes of determining whether property is high risk wildland urban
	338	+	- 5 - 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48 02-17 12:26
337	339		165
338	340		interface property, a wildland urban interface property and casualty insurer may only
339	341		166
340	342		use the boundary provided in the wildfire risk assessment mapping tool maintained
341	343		167
342	344		by the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands in accordance with Subsection
343	345		168
344	346		65A-8-203(8) to determine whether the property is high risk wildland urban interface
345	347		169
346	348		property.
347	349		170
348	350		(b) A wildland urban interface property and casualty insurer may use additional fire
349	351		171
350	352		hazard data, beyond the wildfire risk assessment mapping tool described in
351	353		172
352	354		Subsection (2)(a), in connection with setting a rate for, or the underwriting of, high
353	355		173
354	356		risk wildland urban interface property if the wildland urban interface property and
355	357		174
356	358		casualty insurer's use of additional fire hazard data is in compliance with:
357	359		175
358	360		(i) the boundary determination made in Subsection (2)(a); and
359	361		176
360	362		(ii) this title and department rules made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3,
361	363		177
362	364		Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
363	365		178
364	366		(c) If a property is determined not to be high risk wildland urban interface in accordance
365	367		179
366	368		with Subsection (2)(a), this Subsection (2) does not apply to the use of fire hazard
367	369		180
368	370		data in connection with rate setting or underwriting of the property.
369	371		181
370	372		(d) This Subsection (2) does not restrict the use of data or underwriting tools in
371	373		182
372	374		determining risks that are unrelated to fire risk.
373	375		183
374	376		(3)(a) If an owner of property located within the wildland urban interface files a
375	377		184
376	378		complaint with the department asserting that a wildland urban interface property and
377	379		185
378	380		casualty insurer has violated, or is violating, this section, the department may
379	381		186
380	382		investigate the wildland urban interface property and casualty insurer to determine
381	383		187
382	384		whether a violation has occurred or is occurring.
383	385		188
384	386		(b) If after an investigation under this Subsection (3) the department finds that a
385	387		189
386	388		wildland urban interface property and casualty insurer has violated or is violating this
387	389		190
388	390		section, the department may:
389	391		191
390	392		(i) issue prohibitory, mandatory, and other orders as necessary to secure compliance
391	393		192
392	394		with this section; and
393	395		193
394	396		(ii) impose penalties against the wildland urban interface property and casualty
395	397		194
396	398		insurer in accordance with Section 31A-2-308.
397	399		195
398	400		(4) In addition to complying with relevant requirements of Section 31A-21-303, if due to
399	401		196
400	402		risks of wildfire a wildland urban interface property and casualty insurer:
401	403		197
402	404		(a) cancels or nonrenews property and casualty insurance covering wildland urban
403		-	- 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 48
404	405		198
405	406		interface property, the wildland urban interface property and casualty insurer shall
	407	+	- 6 - 02-17 12:26 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48
406	408		199
407	409		include in the notice of cancellation or nonrenewal the facts on which the wildland
408	410		200
409	411		urban interface property and casualty insurer's decision is based with reasonable
410	412		201
411	413		precision; and
412	414		202
413	415		(b) increases the premium by more than 20% of the previous term's premium for
414	416		203
415	417		property and casualty insurance covering wildland urban interface property, after
416	418		204
417	419		receipt of a request for the information by the insured the wildland urban interface
418	420		205
419	421		property and casualty insurer shall provide the insured the facts on which the
420	422		206
421	423		wildland urban interface property and casualty insurer's decision is based with
422	424		207
423	425		reasonable precision.
424	426		208
425	427		(5) Subsections (1) through (4) apply on and after January 1, 2026.
426	428		209
427	429		(6) This section does not:
428	430		210
429	431		(a) create a cause of action for an act or failure to act under this section against:
430	432		211
431	433		(i) the state;
432	434		212
433	435		(ii) the department;
434	436		213
435	437		(iii) the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands;
436	438		214
437	439		(iv) an officer, consultant, or employee of the department or Division of Forestry,
438	440		215
439	441		Fire, and State Lands;
440	442		216
441	443		(v) a wildland urban interface coordinator, as defined in Section 65A-8-401; or
442	444		217
443	445		(vi) a county;
444	446		218
445	447		(b) waive governmental immunity in accordance with Subsection 63G-7-201(5); or
446	448		219
447	449		(c) create a cause of action against a wildland urban interface property and casualty
448	450		220
449	451		insurer for use in accordance with Subsection (2)(a) of the boundary provided in the
450	452		221
451	453		wildfire risk assessment mapping tool maintained by the Division of Forestry, Fire,
452	454		222
453	455		and State Lands in accordance with Subsection 65A-8-203(8).
454	456		223
455	457		Section 4. Section 63G-7-201 is amended to read:
456	458		224
457	459		63G-7-201 . Immunity of governmental entities and employees from suit.
458	460		225
459	461		(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, each governmental entity and each
460	462		226
461	463		employee of a governmental entity are immune from suit for any injury that results from
462	464		227
463	465		the exercise of a governmental function.
464	466		228
465	467		(2) Notwithstanding the waiver of immunity provisions of Section 63G-7-301, a
466	468		229
467	469		governmental entity, its officers, and its employees are immune from suit:
468	470		230
469	471		(a) as provided in Section 78B-4-517; and
470	472		231
471	473		(b) for any injury or damage resulting from the implementation of or the failure to
472		-	- 7 - H.B. 48 Enrolled Copy
473	474		232
474	475		implement measures to:
	476	+	- 7 - 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48 02-17 12:26
475	477		233
476	478		(i) control the causes of epidemic and communicable diseases and other conditions
477	479		234
478	480		significantly affecting the public health or necessary to protect the public health as
479	481		235
480	482		set out in Title 26A, Chapter 1, Local Health Departments;
481	483		236
482	484		(ii) investigate and control suspected bioterrorism and disease as set out in Sections
483	485		237
484	486		26B-7-316 through 26B-7-324;
485	487		238
486	488		(iii) respond to a national, state, or local emergency, a public health emergency as
487	489		239
488	490		defined in Section 26B-7-301, or a declaration by the President of the United
489	491		240
490	492		States or other federal official requesting public health related activities, including
491	493		241
492	494		the use, provision, operation, and management of:
493	495		242
494	496		(A) an emergency shelter;
495	497		243
496	498		(B) housing;
497	499		244
498	500		(C) a staging place; or
499	501		245
500	502		(D) a medical facility; and
501	503		246
502	504		(iv) adopt methods or measures, in accordance with Section 26B-1-202, for health
503	505		247
504	506		care providers, public health entities, and health care insurers to coordinate among
505	507		248
506	508		themselves to verify the identity of the individuals they serve.
507	509		249
508	510		(3)(a) A governmental entity, its officers, and its employees are immune from suit, and
509	511		250
510	512		immunity is not waived, for any injury if the injury arises out of or in connection
511	513		251
512	514		with, or results from:
513	515		252
514	516		(i) a latent dangerous or latent defective condition of:
515	517		253
516	518		(A) any highway, road, street, alley, crosswalk, sidewalk, culvert, tunnel, bridge,
517	519		254
518	520		or viaduct; or
519	521		255
520	522		(B) another structure located on any of the items listed in this Subsection (3)(a)(i);
521	523		256
522	524		or
523	525		257
524	526		(ii) a latent dangerous or latent defective condition of any public building, structure,
525	527		258
526	528		dam, reservoir, or other public improvement.
527	529		259
528	530		(b)(i) As used in this Subsection (3)(b):
529	531		260
530	532		(A) "Contaminated land" means the same as that term is defined in Section
531	533		261
532	534		11-58-102.
533	535		262
534	536		(B) "Contamination" means the condition of land that results from the placement,
535	537		263
536	538		disposal, or release of hazardous matter on, in, or under the land, including any
537	539		264
538	540		seeping or escaping of the hazardous matter from the land.
539	541		265
540	542		(C) "Damage" means any property damage, personal injury, or other injury or any
541		-	- 8 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 48
542	543		266
543	544		loss of any kind, however denominated.
	545	+	- 8 - 02-17 12:26 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48
544	546		267
545	547		(D) "Environmentally compliant" means, as applicable, obtaining a certificate of
546	548		268
547	549		completion from the Department of Environmental Quality under Section
548	550		269
549	551		19-8-111 following participation in a voluntary cleanup under Title 19, Chapter
550	552		270
551	553		8, Voluntary Cleanup Program, obtaining an administrative letter from the
552	554		271
553	555		Department of Environmental Quality for a discrete phase of a voluntary
554	556		272
555	557		cleanup that is conducted under a remedial action plan as defined in Section
556	558		273
557	559		11-58-605, or complying with the terms of an environmental covenant, as
558	560		274
559	561		defined in Section 57-25-102, signed by an agency, as defined in Section
560	562		275
561	563		57-25-102, and duly recorded in the office of the recorder of the county in
562	564		276
563	565		which the contaminated land is located.
564	566		277
565	567		(E) "Government owner" means a governmental entity, including an independent
566	568		278
567	569		entity, as defined in Section 63E-1-102, that acquires an ownership interest in
568	570		279
569	571		land that was contaminated land before the governmental entity or independent
570	572		280
571	573		entity acquired an ownership interest in the land.
572	574		281
573	575		(F) "Hazardous matter" means hazardous materials, as defined in Section 19-6-302,
574	576		282
575	577		hazardous substances, as defined in Section 19-6-302, or landfill material, as
576	578		283
577	579		defined in Section 11-58-102.
578	580		284
579	581		(G) "Remediation" means the same as that term is defined in Section 11-58-102.
580	582		285
581	583		(ii)(A) A government owner and the government owner's officers and employees
582	584		286
583	585		are immune from suit, and immunity is not waived, for any claim for damage
584	586		287
585	587		that arises out of or in connection with, or results from, contamination of
586	588		288
587	589		contaminated land.
588	590		289
589	591		(B) A government owner's ownership of contaminated land may not be the basis
590	592		290
591	593		of a claim against the government owner for damage that arises out of or in
592	594		291
593	595		connection with, or results from, contamination of contaminated land.
594	596		292
595	597		(iii) Subsection (3)(b)(ii) does not limit or affect:
596	598		293
597	599		(A) the liability of a person that placed, disposed of, or released hazardous matter
598	600		294
599	601		on, in, or under the land; or
600	602		295
601	603		(B) a worker compensation claim of an employee of an entity that conducts work
602	604		296
603	605		on or related to contaminated land.
604	606		297
605	607		(iv) Immunity under Subsection (3)(b)(ii)(A) is not affected by a government owner's
606	608		298
607	609		remediation of contaminated land if the government owner is environmentally
608	610		299
609	611		compliant.
610		-	- 9 - H.B. 48 Enrolled Copy
611	612		300
612	613		(4) A governmental entity, its officers, and its employees are immune from suit, and
	614	+	- 9 - 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48 02-17 12:26
613	615		301
614	616		immunity is not waived, for any injury proximately caused by a negligent act or
615	617		302
616	618		omission of an employee committed within the scope of employment, if the injury arises
617	619		303
618	620		out of or in connection with, or results from:
619	621		304
620	622		(a) the exercise or performance, or the failure to exercise or perform, a discretionary
621	623		305
622	624		function, whether or not the discretion is abused;
623	625		306
624	626		(b) except as provided in Subsections 63G-7-301(2)(j), (3), and (4), assault, battery,
625	627		307
626	628		false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution, intentional trespass, abuse of
627	629		308
628	630		process, libel, slander, deceit, interference with contract rights, infliction of mental
629	631		309
630	632		anguish, or violation of civil rights;
631	633		310
632	634		(c) the issuance, denial, suspension, or revocation of, or the failure or refusal to issue,
633	635		311
634	636		deny, suspend, or revoke, any permit, license, certificate, approval, order, or similar
635	637		312
636	638		authorization;
637	639		313
638	640		(d) a failure to make an inspection or making an inadequate or negligent inspection;
639	641		314
640	642		(e) the institution or prosecution of any judicial or administrative proceeding, even if
641	643		315
642	644		malicious or without probable cause;
643	645		316
644	646		(f) a misrepresentation by an employee whether or not the misrepresentation is negligent
645	647		317
646	648		or intentional;
647	649		318
648	650		(g) a riot, unlawful assembly, public demonstration, mob violence, or civil disturbance;
649	651		319
650	652		(h) the collection or assessment of taxes;
651	653		320
652	654		(i) an activity of the Utah National Guard;
653	655		321
654	656		(j) the incarceration of a person in a state prison, county or city jail, or other place of
655	657		322
656	658		legal confinement;
657	659		323
658	660		(k) a natural condition on publicly owned or controlled land;
659	661		324
660	662		(l) a condition existing in connection with an abandoned mine or mining operation;
661	663		325
662	664		(m) an activity authorized by the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration or
663	665		326
664	666		the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands;
665	667		327
666	668		(n) the operation or existence of a trail that is along a water facility, as defined in Section
667	669		328
668	670		73-1-8, stream, or river, regardless of ownership or operation of the water facility,
669	671		329
670	672		stream, or river, if:
671	673		330
672	674		(i) the trail is designated under a general plan adopted by a municipality under
673	675		331
674	676		Section 10-9a-401 or by a county under Section 17-27a-401;
675	677		332
676	678		(ii) the trail right-of-way or the right-of-way where the trail is located is open to
677	679		333
678	680		public use as evidenced by a written agreement between:
679		-	- 10 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 48
680	681		334
681	682		(A) the owner or operator of the trail right-of-way or of the right-of-way where the
	683	+	- 10 - 02-17 12:26 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48
682	684		335
683	685		trail is located; and
684	686		336
685	687		(B) the municipality or county where the trail is located; and
686	688		337
687	689		(iii) the written agreement:
688	690		338
689	691		(A) contains a plan for operation and maintenance of the trail; and
690	692		339
691	693		(B) provides that an owner or operator of the trail right-of-way or of the
692	694		340
693	695		right-of-way where the trail is located has, at a minimum, the same level of
694	696		341
695	697		immunity from suit as the governmental entity in connection with or resulting
696	698		342
697	699		from the use of the trail;
698	700		343
699	701		(o) research or implementation of cloud management or seeding for the clearing of fog;
700	702		344
701	703		(p) the management of flood waters, earthquakes, or natural disasters;
702	704		345
703	705		(q) the construction, repair, or operation of flood or storm systems;
704	706		346
705	707		(r) the operation of an emergency vehicle, while being driven in accordance with the
706	708		347
707	709		requirements of Section 41-6a-212;
708	710		348
709	711		(s) the activity of:
710	712		349
711	713		(i) providing emergency medical assistance;
712	714		350
713	715		(ii) fighting fire;
714	716		351
715	717		(iii) regulating, mitigating, or handling hazardous materials or hazardous wastes;
716	718		352
717	719		(iv) an emergency evacuation;
718	720		353
719	721		(v) transporting or removing an injured person to a place where emergency medical
720	722		354
721	723		assistance can be rendered or where the person can be transported by a licensed
722	724		355
723	725		ambulance service; or
724	726		356
725	727		(vi) intervening during a dam emergency;
726	728		357
727	729		(t) the exercise or performance, or the failure to exercise or perform, any function
728	730		358
729	731		pursuant to Title 73, Chapter 10, Board of Water Resources - Division of Water
730	732		359
731	733		Resources;
732	734		360
733	735		(u) an unauthorized access to government records, data, or electronic information
734	736		361
735	737		systems by any person or entity;
736	738		362
737	739		(v) an activity of wildlife, as defined in Section 23A-1-101, that arises during the use of
738	740		363
739	741		a public or private road;
740	742		364
741	743		(w) a communication between employees of one or more law enforcement agencies
742	744		365
743	745		related to the employment, disciplinary history, character, professional competence,
744	746		366
745	747		or physical or mental health of a peace officer, or a former, current, or prospective
746	748		367
747	749		employee of a law enforcement agency, including any communication made in
748		-	- 11 - H.B. 48 Enrolled Copy
749	750		368
750	751		accordance with Section 53-14-103; or
	752	+	- 11 - 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48 02-17 12:26
751	753		369
752	754		(x) providing or failing to provide information under Section 53-27-102 or Subsection
753	755		370
754	756		41-1a-213(6), (7), or (8), 53-3-207(4), or 53-3-805(5).
755	757		371
756	758		(5) The following are immune from suit, and immunity is not waived for an action or
757	759		372
758	760		failure to act within the scope of duties or employment, if the injury arises out of, in
759	761		373
760	762		connection with, or results from the implementation of Section 17-16-22 to the extent it
761	763		374
762	764		addresses evaluating and classifying high risk wildland urban interface property, Section
763	765		375
764	766		31A-22-1310, or Title 65A, Chapter 8, Part 4, Wildland Urban Interface Property:
765	767		376
766	768		(a) the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands;
767	769		377
768	770		(b) an officer, employee, or consultant of the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands;
769	771		378
770	772		(c) a county;
771	773		379
772	774		(d) a wildland urban interface coordinator, as defined in Section 65A-8-401;
773	775		380
774	776		(e) the Insurance Department; or
775	777		381
776	778		(f) an officer, employee, or consultant of the Insurance Department.
777	779		382
778	780		Section 5. Section 65A-8-203 is amended to read:
779	781		383
780	782		65A-8-203 . Cooperative fire protection agreements with eligible entities.
781	783		384
782	784		(1) As used in this section:
783	785		385
784	786		(a) "Eligible entity" means:
785	787		386
786	788		(i) a county, a municipality, or a special service district, special district, or service
787	789		387
788	790		area with:
789	791		388
790	792		(A) wildland fire suppression responsibility as described in Section 11-7-1; and
791	793		389
792	794		(B) wildland fire suppression cost responsibility and taxing authority for a specific
793	795		390
794	796		geographic jurisdiction; or
795	797		391
796	798		(ii) upon approval by the director, a political subdivision established by a county,
797	799		392
798	800		municipality, special service district, special district, or service area that is
799	801		393
800	802		responsible for:
801	803		394
802	804		(A) providing wildland fire suppression services; and
803	805		395
804	806		(B) paying for the cost of wildland fire suppression services.
805	807		396
806	808		(b) "Fire service provider" means a public or private entity that fulfills the duties of
807	809		397
808	810		Subsection 11-7-1(1).
809	811		398
810	812		(2)(a) The governing body of any eligible entity may enter into a cooperative agreement
811	813		399
812	814		with the division to receive financial and wildfire management cooperation and
813	815		400
814	816		assistance from the division, as described in this part.
815	817		401
816	818		(b) A cooperative agreement shall last for a term of no more than five years and be
817		-	- 12 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 48
818	819		402
819	820		renewable if the eligible entity continues to meet the requirements of this chapter.
	821	+	- 12 - 02-17 12:26 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48
820	822		403
821	823		(3)(a) The state shall assume an eligible entity's cost of suppressing catastrophic wildfire
822	824		404
823	825		as defined in the cooperative agreement if the eligible entity has entered into, and is
824	826		405
825	827		in full compliance with, a cooperative agreement with the division, as described in
826	828		406
827	829		this section.
828	830		407
829	831		(b) A county or municipality that is not covered by a cooperative agreement with the
830	832		408
831	833		division, as described in this section, shall be responsible for wildland fire costs
832	834		409
833	835		within the county or municipality's jurisdiction, as described in Section 65A-8-203.2.
834	836		410
835	837		(4) To enter into a cooperative agreement with the division, the eligible entity shall:
836	838		411
837	839		[(a) if the eligible entity is a county, adopt and enforce on unincorporated land a
838	840		412
839	841		wildland fire ordinance based upon minimum standards established by the division or
840	842		413
841	843		Uniform Building Code Commission;]
842	844		414
843	845		[(b)] (a) require that the fire department or equivalent fire service provider under contract
844	846		415
845	847		with, or delegated by, the eligible entity on unincorporated land meet minimum
846	848		416
847	849		standards for wildland fire training, certification, and suppression equipment based
848	850		417
849	851		upon nationally accepted standards as specified by the division;
850	852		418
851	853		[(c)] (b) invest in prevention, preparedness, and mitigation efforts, as agreed to with the
852	854		419
853	855		division, that will reduce the eligible entity's risk of catastrophic wildfire;
854	856		420
855	857		[(d)] (c)(i) file with the division an annual accounting of wildfire prevention,
856	858		421
857	859		preparedness, mitigation actions, and associated costs;
858	860		422
859	861		(ii) meet the eligibility entity's participation commitment by making direct payments
860	862		423
861	863		to the division; or
862	864		424
863	865		(iii) do a combination of Subsections [(4)(d)(i) and (ii)] (4)(c)(i) and (ii);
864	866		425
865	867		[(e)] (d) return the financial statement described in Subsection (6), signed by the chief
866	868		426
867	869		executive of the eligible entity, to the division on or before the date set by the
868	870		427
869	871		division;[ and]
870	872		428
871	873		[(f)] (e) if the eligible entity is a county, have a designated fire warden as described in
872	874		429
873	875		Section 65A-8-209.1[.] ;
874	876		430
875	877		(f) subject to Subsection (9), adopt and enforce the wildland urban interface building
876	878		431
877	879		standards, as defined in Section 65A-8-401, if the eligible entity is a:
878	880		432
879	881		(i) county for purposes of an unincorporated area within the county; or
880	882		433
881	883		(ii) municipality for an incorporated area within a county; and
882	884		434
883	885		(g) if the eligible entity is a county, comply with Section 17-16-22.
884	886		435
885	887		(5)(a) The state forester may execute a cooperative agreement with the eligible entity.
886		-	- 13 - H.B. 48 Enrolled Copy
887	888		436
888	889		(b) The division shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
	890	+	- 13 - 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48 02-17 12:26
889	891		437
890	892		Administrative Rulemaking Act, governing the:
891	893		438
892	894		(i) cooperative agreements described in this section;
893	895		439
894	896		(ii) manner in which an eligible entity shall provide proof of compliance with
895	897		440
896	898		Subsection (4);
897	899		441
898	900		(iii) manner by which the division may revoke a cooperative agreement if an eligible
899	901		442
900	902		entity ceases to meet the requirements described in this section;
901	903		443
902	904		(iv) accounting system for determining suppression costs;
903	905		444
904	906		(v) manner in which the division shall determine the eligible entity's participation
905	907		445
906	908		commitment; and
907	909		446
908	910		(vi) manner in which an eligible entity may appeal a division determination.
909	911		447
910	912		(6)(a) The division shall send a financial statement to each eligible entity participating in
911	913		448
912	914		a cooperative agreement that details the eligible entity's participation commitment for
913	915		449
914	916		the coming fiscal year, including the prevention, preparedness, and mitigation actions
915	917		450
916	918		agreed to under Subsection (4)[(c)] (b).
917	919		451
918	920		(b) Each eligible entity participating in a cooperative agreement shall:
919	921		452
920	922		(i) have the chief executive of the eligible entity sign the financial statement, or the
921	923		453
922	924		legislative body of the eligible entity approve the financial statement by
923	925		454
924	926		resolution, confirming the eligible entity's participation for the upcoming year; and
925	927		455
926	928		(ii) return the financial statement to the division, on or before a date set by the
927	929		456
928	930		division.
929	931		457
930	932		(c) A financial statement shall be effective for one calendar year, beginning on the date
931	933		458
932	934		set by the division, as described in Subsection (6)(b).
933	935		459
934	936		(7)(a) An eligible entity may revoke a cooperative agreement before the end of the
935	937		460
936	938		cooperative agreement's term by:
937	939		461
938	940		(i) informing the division, in writing, of the eligible entity's intention to revoke the
939	941		462
940	942		cooperative agreement; or
941	943		463
942	944		(ii) failing to sign and return its annual financial statement, as described in
943	945		464
944	946		Subsection (6)(b), unless the director grants an extension.
945	947		465
946	948		(b) An eligible entity may not revoke a cooperative agreement before the end of the term
947	949		466
948	950		of a signed annual financial statement, as described in Subsection (6)(c).
949	951		467
950	952		(8)(a) The division shall develop and maintain a wildfire risk assessment mapping tool
951	953		468
952	954		that is online and publicly accessible.
953	955		469
954	956		(b)[(i)] The division shall analyze [adding an additional high-risk category] and
955		-	- 14 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 48
956	957		470
957	958		establish by rule, made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
	959	+	- 14 - 02-17 12:26 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48
958	960		471
959	961		Administrative Rulemaking Act, boundaries for high risk wildland urban interface
960	962		472
961	963		property and what constitutes wildland urban interface property that is not high
962	964		473
963	965		risk within the wildfire risk assessment mapping tool described in Subsection
964	966		474
965	967		(8)(a):
966	968		475
967	969		[(A)] (i) using a scientific assessment; and
968	970		476
969	971		[(B)] (ii) that is focused on the risk to dwellings within the wildland[-] urban interface
970	972		477
971	973		area.
972	974		478
973	975		[(ii) The division shall report the results of the division's analysis under this
974	976		479
975	977		Subsection (8)(b) to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim
976	978		480
977	979		Committee by no later than the 2024 November interim meeting of that committee.]
978	980		481
979	981		(c) With regard to the categories used within the wildfire risk assessment mapping tool
980	982		482
981	983		described in Subsection (8)(a), the division may adjust the assessment for
982	984		483
983	985		participation commitments if the adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index
984	986		484
985	987		for All Urban Consumers as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
986	988		485
987	989		United States Department of Labor, in accordance with a formula established by the
988	990		486
989	991		division by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative
990	992		487
991	993		Rulemaking Act.
992	994		488
993	995		(9)(a) If the state under Section 15A-2-103 adopts an edition of the Utah Wildland
994	996		489
995	997		Urban Interface Code, issued by the International Code Council, with the alternatives
996	998		490
997	999		or amendments approved by the division, as a wildland urban interface building
998	1000		491
999	1001		standard that may be adopted by a local compliance agency:
1000	1002		492
1001	1003		(i) for purposes of an unincorporated area within a county, the county shall adopt and
1002	1004		493
1003	1005		enforce the wildland urban interface building standard described in this
1004	1006		494
1005	1007		Subsection (9)(a); and
1006	1008		495
1007	1009		(ii) for purposes of an incorporated area within a county, the relevant municipality
1008	1010		496
1009	1011		shall adopt and enforce the wildland urban interface building standard described
1010	1012		497
1011	1013		in this Subsection (9)(a).
1012	1014		498
1013	1015		(b) If a county or municipality fails to comply with Subsections (4)(f) and (9)(a), the
1014	1016		499
1015	1017		division may choose to not pay costs of the county or municipality under a
1016	1018		500
1017	1019		cooperative agreement executed under this section.
1018	1020		501
1019	1021		(c)(i) If the state adopts a different wildland urban interface building standard than
1020	1022		502
1021	1023		was previously adopted under Section 15A-2-103, a county or municipality has
1022	1024		503
1023	1025		two years from the date the state adopts the different wildland urban interface
1024		-	- 15 - H.B. 48 Enrolled Copy
1025	1026		504
1026	1027		building standard to adopt the appropriate wildland urban interface building
	1028	+	- 15 - 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48 02-17 12:26
1027	1029		505
1028	1030		standard.
1029	1031		506
1030	1032		(ii) If a county or municipality fails to adopt the appropriate wildland urban interface
1031	1033		507
1032	1034		building standard within the time period described in Subsection (9)(c)(i), the
1033	1035		508
1034	1036		division may choose to not pay costs of the county or municipality under a
1035	1037		509
1036	1038		cooperative agreement executed under this section beginning two years from the
1037	1039		510
1038	1040		day on which the state adopts the different wildland urban interface building
1039	1041		511
1040	1042		standard and until such time as the county or municipality adopts the appropriate
1041	1043		512
1042	1044		wildland urban interface building standard.
1043	1045		513
1044	1046		Section 6. Section 65A-8-215 is amended to read:
1045	1047		514
1046	1048		65A-8-215 . Wildland-urban interface fire prevention, preparedness, and
1047	1049		515
1048	1050		mitigation.
1049	1051		516
1050	1052		(1) As used in this section:
1051	1053		517
1052	1054		(a) "Prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund" means the Wildland-urban Interface
1053	1055		518
1054	1056		Prevention, Preparedness, and Mitigation Fund created in this section.
1055	1057		519
1056	1058		(b) "Suppression fund" means the Wildland Fire Suppression Fund created in Section
1057	1059		520
1058	1060		65A-8-204.
1059	1061		521
1060	1062		(c) "Wildland-urban interface" means the zone where structures and other human
1061	1063		522
1062	1064		development meets, or intermingles with, undeveloped wildland.
1063	1065		523
1064	1066		(2)(a) There is created an expendable special revenue fund known as the
1065	1067		524
1066	1068		"Wildland-urban Interface Prevention, Preparedness, and Mitigation Fund."
1067	1069		525
1068	1070		(b) The prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund shall consist of:
1069	1071		526
1070	1072		(i) interest and earnings from the investment of money from the prevention,
1071	1073		527
1072	1074		preparedness, and mitigation fund;
1073	1075		528
1074	1076		(ii) money received as direct payment from cooperative wildfire system participation
1075	1077		529
1076	1078		commitments;
1077	1079		530
1078	1080		(iii) money appropriated by the Legislature;[ and]
1079	1081		531
1080	1082		(iv) money transferred to the prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund under
1081	1083		532
1082	1084		Section 63J-1-314[.] ; and
1083	1085		533
1084	1086		(v) fees deposited into the prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund under
1085	1087		534
1086	1088		Section 17-16-22.
1087	1089		535
1088	1090		(c) The division shall administer the prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund to:
1089	1091		536
1090	1092		(i) pay costs of prevention and preparedness efforts on wildland-urban interface
1091	1093		537
1092	1094		within the state, as defined by the division by rule made in accordance with Title
1093		-	- 16 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 48
1094	1095		538
1095	1096		63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, including costs of an
	1097	+	- 16 - 02-17 12:26 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48
1096	1098		539
1097	1099		eligible entity that has entered into a cooperative agreement, as described in
1098	1100		540
1099	1101		Section 65A-8-203;
1100	1102		541
1101	1103		(ii) issue fire department assistance grants, which in the aggregate may not exceed
1102	1104		542
1103	1105		10% of the money in the prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund each fiscal
1104	1106		543
1105	1107		year; and
1106	1108		544
1107	1109		(iii) in cases of catastrophic need as determined by the state forester, pay costs that
1108	1110		545
1109	1111		could be paid from the suppression fund under Section 65A-8-204.
1110	1112		546
1111	1113		(d) Disbursements from the prevention, preparedness, and mitigation fund may only be
1112	1114		547
1113	1115		made upon written order of the state forester or the state forester's authorized
1114	1116		548
1115	1117		representative.
1116	1118		549
1117	1119		(3)(a) The division may by rule, made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
1118	1120		550
1119	1121		Administrative Rulemaking Act, establish criteria for community wildfire
1120	1122		551
1121	1123		preparedness plans addressing wildland-urban interface. The criteria shall require
1122	1124		552
1123	1125		action that is:
1124	1126		553
1125	1127		(i) qualitative and quantitative; and
1126	1128		554
1127	1129		(ii) leads to reduced wildfire risk.
1128	1130		555
1129	1131		(b) An eligible entity, as defined in Section 65A-8-203, shall agree to implement
1130	1132		556
1131	1133		prevention, preparedness, and mitigation actions identified in a community wildfire
1132	1134		557
1133	1135		preparedness plan addressing wildland-urban interface that is approved by the
1134	1136		558
1135	1137		division.
1136	1138		559
1137	1139		Section 7. Section 65A-8-401 is enacted to read:
1138	1140		560
1139	1141
1140	1142		Part 4. Wildland Urban Interface Property
1141	1143		561
1142	1144		65A-8-401 . Definitions.
1143	1145		562
1144	1146		As used in this section:
1145	1147		563
1146	1148		(1) "High risk wildland urban interface property" means property located within the
1147	1149		564
1148	1150		boundary of high risk wildland urban interface as designated by the wildfire risk
1149	1151		565
1150	1152		assessment tool in Subsection 65A-8-203(8)(a) and defined by rule made in accordance
1151	1153		566
1152	1154		with Subsection 65A-8-402(5)(a).
1153	1155		567
1154	1156		(2) "Triage scale" means a scale with three classifications adopted by the division to
1155	1157		568
1156	1158		evaluate and classify property located within the wildland urban interface as to what
1157	1159		569
1158	1160		actions are needed to prepare the property for fire.
1159	1161		570
1160	1162		(3) "Wildland urban interface" means the same as that term is defined in Section
1161	1163		571
1162	1164		65A-8a-102.
1163		-	- 17 - H.B. 48 Enrolled Copy
1164	1165		572
1165	1166		(4) "Wildland urban interface building standards" means the edition of the Utah Wildland
	1167	+	- 17 - 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48 02-17 12:26
1166	1168		573
1167	1169		Urban Interface Code adopted under Section 15A-2-103.
1168	1170		574
1169	1171		(5) "Wildland urban interface coordinator" means a representative of the division or a
1170	1172		575
1171	1173		county who evaluates and classifies wildland urban interface property in accordance
1172	1174		576
1173	1175		with Section 65A-8-402.
1174	1176		577
1175	1177		(6) "Wildland urban interface property and casualty insurer" means the same as that term is
1176	1178		578
1177	1179		defined in Section 31A-22-1310.
1178	1180		579
1179	1181		Section 8. Section 65A-8-402 is enacted to read:
1180	1182		580
1181	1183		65A-8-402 . Evaluation of wildland urban interface property -- Fee amounts --
1182	1184		581
1183	1185		Rulemaking.
1184	1186		582
1185	1187		(1)(a) The division shall establish a program under which a wildland urban interface
1186	1188		583
1187	1189		coordinator evaluates and classifies high risk wildland urban interface property using
1188	1190		584
1189	1191		a triage scale.
1190	1192		585
1191	1193		(b) The wildland urban interface coordinator shall be:
1192	1194		586
1193	1195		(i) a representative of the division; or
1194	1196		587
1195	1197		(ii) if the evaluation and classification is assigned to a county, a representative of the
1196	1198		588
1197	1199		county.
1198	1200		589
1199	1201		(c) At the beginning of each calendar year, the division shall determine whether to
1200	1202		590
1201	1203		assign evaluation and classification under this section of high risk wildland urban
1202	1204		591
1203	1205		interface property to a county.
1204	1206		592
1205	1207		(2) After completing the evaluation and classification under this section, the wildland urban
1206	1208		593
1207	1209		interface coordinator shall inform a property owner of property described in Subsection
1208	1210		594
1209	1211		(1)(a) of:
1210	1212		595
1211	1213		(a) the classification assigned to the property described in Subsection (1)(a) under the
1212	1214		596
1213	1215		triage scale;
1214	1216		597
1215	1217		(b) the fee the property owner shall pay under Section 17-16-22; and
1216	1218		598
1217	1219		(c) resources from the division or county that the property owner may access to bring the
1218	1220		599
1219	1221		property described in Subsection (1)(a) to the first or second classification by
1220	1222		600
1221	1223		applying wildland urban interface building standards.
1222	1224		601
1223	1225		(3) As part of the program established under this section, the division:
1224	1226		602
1225	1227		(a) may provide resources to a property owner described in Subsection (2)(b) to
1226	1228		603
1227	1229		facilitate the property owner bringing the property described in Subsection (1)(a) to
1228	1230		604
1229	1231		the first or second classification under the triage scale; and
1230	1232		605
1231	1233		(b) beginning on January 1, 2028, shall develop and maintain a database that may be
1232		-	- 18 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 48
1233	1234		606
1234	1235		accessed by a wildland urban interface property and casualty insurer to learn the
	1236	+	- 18 - 02-17 12:26 3rd Sub. (Cherry) H.B. 48
1235	1237		607
1236	1238		classification under the triage scale for any portion of high risk wildland urban
1237	1239		608
1238	1240		interface property to be covered by the wildland urban interface property and casualty
1239	1241		609
1240	1242		insurer.
1241	1243		610
1242	1244		(4)(a) The division shall annually set a fee amount that is based on the square footage of
1243	1245		611
1244	1246		a structure within the high risk wildland urban interface to pay for the costs
1245	1247		612
1246	1248		associated with the implementation of this part to be assessed and collected by a
1247	1249		613
1248	1250		county in accordance with Section 17-16-22.
1249	1251		614
1250	1252		(b) The division may tier the fee amount to account for what level on the triage scale a
1251	1253		615
1252	1254		property is assigned by a wildland urban interface coordinator.
1253	1255		616
1254	1256		(5) The division may make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
1255	1257		617
1256	1258		Administrative Rulemaking Act, to:
1257	1259		618
1258	1260		(a) define high risk wildland urban interface property and wildland urban interface
1259	1261		619
1260	1262		property that is not high risk as provided in Subsection 65A-8-203(8)(b);
1261	1263		620
1262	1264		(b) establish the criteria used to evaluate and classify property located within high risk
1263	1265		621
1264	1266		wildland urban interface property;
1265	1267		622
1266	1268		(c) create a process by which the division and counties communicate classifications
1267	1269		623
1268	1270		assigned to property described in Subsection (1)(a);
1269	1271		624
1270	1272		(d) create a process for communicating to a property owner the information described in
1271	1273		625
1272	1274		Subsection (2);
1273	1275		626
1274	1276		(e) establish how the division may provide resources under Subsection (3);
1275	1277		627
1276	1278		(f) create a process for a wildland urban interface property and casualty insurer to learn
1277	1279		628
1278	1280		the classification described in Subsection (3)(b); and
1279	1281		629
1280	1282		(g) establish how the fee amount described in Subsection (4) is set.
1281	1283		630
1282	1284		Section 9. Section 65A-8-403 is enacted to read:
1283	1285		631
1284	1286		65A-8-403 . Liability.
1285	1287		632
1286	1288		This part does not create a cause of action against the state, the division, an officer,
1287	1289		633
1288	1290		employee, or consultant of the division, a county, or a wildland urban interface coordinator for
1289	1291		634
1290	1292		an act or failure to act under this part and does not waive governmental immunity in
1291	1293		635
1292	1294		accordance with Subsection 63G-7-201(5).
1293	1295		636
1294	1296		Section 10. Effective Date.
1295	1297		637
1296	1298		This bill takes effect on January 1, 2026.
1297	1299		- 19 -