130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 63		LR 125(03)
	An Act Regarding the Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with: C "A" (H-235)
	Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Fiscal Note
Legal immunity for firefighters reciprocal
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill extends liability protection for the State and firefighters who travel to fight wildfires outside of the Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact area. This is a reciprocal arrangement where Maine will provide legal immunity to firefighters from other states if other states provide it to Maine firefighters. For example, if an event occurs during fire suppression efforts that creates a legal liability issue, the state requesting help will handle any defense and accept responsibility for the outcome. Given that this is a reciprical arrangement and Maine will remain liable only for what occurs within its borders, there is not expected to be any significant impact on the Risk Management Fund within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.