Idaho Legislators: Ask Legislators to VOTE NO on H0017 - Wildfire, insurance pool (posted 01/24/25, updated 02/05/25)

• Bill: legislature.idaho.gov/s…

• Contact Legislators: emailidaho.com

(Check the linked page or use My Bill Tracker for the bill’s current status.)

🔥 🏠 🤑 🔥 🏠 🤑

California announces that insurance policyholders will have to bail out the State’s FAIR plan, the insurance plan of last resort. — The Hotshot Wakeup Substack

It's worth remembering that with very few exceptions, any money that government spends or appropriates is taken from the people, either directly or indirectly, through taxes, fees, debt, or other assessments. Whenever a new government program comes along, the people end up funding it one way or another. — Idaho Freedom Foundation

H0017 would grow government significantly by creating the Idaho Wildfire Risk Mitigation and Stabilization Pool, a board to oversee it, and a fund from which it may give grants.

It’s the Idaho version of a California state system (FAIR) that has proven expensive and ineffective. It will cost Idaho ratepayers an arm and a leg (perhaps even their homes).

Just watch what's happening in Los Angeles, where at least 12,000 homes have been destroyed and are unlikely to be rebuilt. The CA FAIR insurance system and ratepayers now face massive additional assessments.

Firewise Idaho already offers resources for homeowners, which do not cost the state or expand government. Many took personal responsibility for owning property in a wildfire area that experienced severe fire during Summer 2024. They studied wildfire dangers, attended community meetings, used Firewise Idaho tips, implemented measures to avoid or mitigate property loss, and bolstered their insurance.

Idaho Freedom Foundation laid out many reasons to oppose this bad bill. Highlights:

• Greatly increases government's size, scope, and spending.

• Adds new 12-member largely unelected board that answers to Department of Insurance director.

• Assists homeowners and property owners in protecting their homes and property against wildfire risks. Not the proper role of government!

• Benefits some property owners at other people's expense.

• Redistributes wealth and contributes to market manipulation.

• Draws from half a dozen over-reaching funding sources that will increase costs to taxpayers and ultimately raise property insurance costs.

References:

• IFF (-3): idahofreedom.org/house-…

• Firewise Idaho: idahofirewise.org

• The Hotshot Wake Up:

  • The United States Is Out Of Wildfire Resources...The California Wildfire Insurance Crisis Gets Worse (09/10/24): tinyurl.com/2p87erx8

  • California Insurance Companies Say System On Verge Of Collapse After Palisades And Eaton Fires (02/04/25, podcast 39:12 with summary): tinyurl.com/2ap2823p

• CNN: New insurance rules mean homeowners throughout California are likely to pay more after fires (01/17/25):