HJR 15-WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS  4:15:29 PM VICE CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15(CRA) Urging the Governor, the Department of Natural Resources, division of forestry and fire protection, the Department of Public Safety, municipalities of the state and relevant wildfire planning and response agencies, and the Alaska delegation in Congress to prepare for the 2025 wildfire season. 4:16:02 PM REPRESENTATIVE KY HOLLAND, District 9, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, said HJR 15 is the culmination of community work done over the past 4 months to raise awareness and concern for the 2025 wildfire season. HJR 15 would bring greater awareness to state agencies and Alaskans regarding wildfire preparedness and evacuation plans. He said it has been a rewarding process and expressed gratitude to the local and state agencies that helped contribute to HJR 15. He shared that an additional emergency helicopter will be stationed in Anchorage for 100 days, beginning May 15, 2025. This will provide a more rapid response in a critical area for potential fire spread. He acknowledged that many areas across the state are at risk for wildfires and said HJR 15 highlights the breadth of that concern and the work that can be done to reduce wildfires. 4:18:05 PM SENATOR KAWASAKI asked why some first-class cities were left off the list in HJR 15. 4:18:22 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND replied that this is a work in process. He explained that the list of cities began with communities that could establish the breadth of intent; regions were added later. He stated that, if done again, he would attempt to display the breadth of the regions without referring to any specific communities. He apologized for leaving any cities out and emphasized that the intention was to convey that HJR 15 is of interest to many areas across the state. He pointed out that the phrasing also indicates emerging fire danger in new areas (e.g. recent rural tundra fires). He reiterated that he did not intend to suggest that fire danger was limited to specific areas and clarified that HJR 15 was meant to be inclusive. 4:19:29 PM SENATOR HUGHES briefly discussed an amendment that she had considered. She directed attention to the wildfire maps and expressed surprise that the Aleutian chain is included, as well as Southeast Alaska. She briefly discussed how the wildfires in Los Angeles, California have raised awareness of the devastation wildfires can cause in urban areas. She noted that the Southeast region has had a dry winter and surmised that the Aleutian chain has also had a dry winter. She noted that the Aleutian chain is not listed in HJR 15; however, the region is covered by the wildfire map. 4:20:36 PM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND expressed appreciation and agreed. He referenced a recent devastating wildfire in Hawaii and said that fire was a significant wakeup call. He opined that fires in Hawaii and the recent tundra fires are an indication that increased vigilance is necessary, including in areas not previously considered a wildfire risk. 4:21:15 PM VICE CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI opened public testimony on HJR 15; finding none, he closed public testimony. 4:21:33 PM VICE CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI solicited the will of the committee. 4:21:37 PM SENATOR DUNBAR moved to report CS for HJR 15(CRA), work order 34-LS0726\G, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 4:21:58 PM VICE CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI found no objection and CSHJR 15(CRA) was reported from the Senate Resources Standing Committee.