Bill No.: HB0067                  Drafter:  MDO

LSO No.:  07LSO-0128              Effective Date:  2/21/2007

Enrolled Act No.:  HEA0050

Chapter No.:       75

Prime Sponsor:     Representative Lubnau

Catch Title:       Interstate fire compact.

Subject:  The interstate compact for the prevention and control of forest fires in the great plains region of the United States.

Summary/Major Elements:

· Adopts the interstate compact for the prevention and control of forest fires in the great plains region.

· Provides for:

o Reciprocal aid in fighting forest fires among the compact states of the region, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming and any adjoining state of a current member;

o The state forester to act as administrator of the program;

o Privileges, duties, rights, privileges and immunities of responding firefighter are comparable to employees of the state to which they are rendering aid;

o Any member state rendering outside aid under the compact shall be reimbursed by the member state receiving the aid for the costs of the aid rendered; and

· Ratification of the compact does not affect existing statutes, existing cooperative relationships or arrangements between the United States Forest Service and a member state or states.