An Act amending the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L.89, No.18), known as the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, further providing for forests and establishing the Forest Fire Warden Fund.

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1580 PRINTER'S NO. 2706
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1379
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY STENDER, ARMANINI, GILLEN, HAMM, E. NELSON, RADER
AND WATRO, MAY 2, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED,
DECEMBER 16, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L.89, No.18), entitled "An
act creating the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources consisting of certain functions of the Department
of Environmental Resources and the Department of Community
Affairs; renaming the Department of Environmental Resources
as the Department of Environmental Protection; defining the
role of the Environmental Quality Board in the Department of
Environmental Protection; making changes to responsibilities
of the State Conservation Commission and the Department of
Agriculture; transferring certain powers and duties to the
Department of Health; and repealing inconsistent acts," in
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, further
providing for forests AND ESTABLISHING THE FOREST FIRE WARDEN
FUND.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 302(a) and (d) of the act of June 28,
1995 (P.L.89, No.18), known as the Conservation and Natural
Resources Act, are amended by adding paragraphs to read:
Section 302. Forests.
(a) Acquisition, establishment and disposition.--The
department has the following powers and duties with respect to
the acquisition, establishment and disposition of State forest
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lands and certain other Commonwealth-owned resources:
* * *
(14) To reimburse activities approved and submitted FOR
EXPENSES INCURRED under subsection (d)(13) and (14) . FROM THE
FOREST FIRE WARDEN FUND.
* * *
(d) Chief Forest Fire Warden.--The Chief Forest Fire Warden,
subject to the approval of the secretary, shall have the
following powers and duties to:
* * *
(13) Approve activities to be carried out by local
forest fire wardens, including:
(i) Controlled or prescribed burns.
(ii) Public relations events.
(iii) Fire investigations . , SUPPRESSION, PATROL AND
LOOKOUT DUTIES.
(iv) Training required by the department for local
fire wardens.
(V) RESPONDING TO MUTUAL AID REQUESTS MADE BY THE
PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OR THE GOVERNOR
FOR AN EMERGENCY IDENTIFIED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY OR THE GOVERNOR.
(14) Establish a form and manner for local forest fire
wardens to request reimbursement from the department for
activities approved under paragraph (13).
* * *
SECTION 2. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ:
SECTION 302.1. FOREST FIRE WARDEN FUND.
(A) ESTABLISHMENT.--THE FOREST FIRE WARDEN FUND IS
ESTABLISHED AS A SEPARATE FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY. MONEY IN
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THE FUND IS APPROPRIATED TO THE DEPARTMENT ON A CONTINUING BASIS
FOR THE PURPOSES UNDER SUBSECTION (B).
(B) PURPOSES.--MONEY IN THE FUND SHALL BE USED FOR
REIMBURSEMENT UNDER SECTION 302(A)(14) AND ANY OTHER EXPENSES
DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE CHIEF FOREST FIRE WARDEN, SUBJECT TO THE
APPROVAL OF THE SECRETARY, TO CARRY OUT THE FUNCTIONS UNDER
SECTION 302.
Section 2 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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