Rep. Bliss Highlights Wildfire Mitigation, Insurance Non-Renewals at Arizona Corporation Commission Town Hall

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – State Representative Selina Bliss took part in an Arizona Corporation Commission town hall Thursday evening on wildfire mitigation, joining commissioners, utility officials, fire and forestry experts, and members of the public to address wildfire risk and the growing problem of insurance non-renewals affecting homeowners and businesses across Arizona.

The town hall examined wildfire threats to utilities, communities, and critical infrastructure, along with steps state leaders can take to improve prevention, preparedness, and response. It also reinforced the need for closer coordination between the Corporation Commission and the Legislature as fire risk grows and insurance coverage becomes harder to secure in high-risk areas.

“Wildfire risk is hitting Arizona families from every direction,” Representative Bliss said. “It threatens lives, homes, power reliability, and now even people’s ability to keep insurance coverage. When homeowners and business owners start getting priced out or dropped altogether, the state cannot sit back and pretend this is somebody else’s problem.”

Representative Bliss pointed to legislation enacted in 2025 to strengthen Arizona’s wildfire response. That includes HB 2201, requiring utilities to submit wildfire mitigation plans; HB 2577, removing barriers for the State Forester during wildfire prevention and suppression work; HB 2639, extending a tax incentive tied to forest restoration; and HB 2054, creating a fire insurance review task force and requiring better reporting on wildfire risk and fire loss.

She also highlighted budget action to support wildfire readiness, including a 15% pay raise for state firefighters and funding for wildfire contingency planning and preparedness through the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

“Public safety is one of our House Republican Majority’s core priorities, and wildfire mitigation needs to stay front and center,” Representative Bliss said. “We have pushed this issue because people in Prescott, Sedona, the Quad Cities, and across Yavapai County do not have the luxury of waiting for the next fire to start. They need prevention, they need coordination, and they need an insurance market that does not abandon them after years of doing everything right.”

A major part of the discussion centered on the growing problem of homeowners and business insurance non-renewals in high-risk areas. Rising premiums, shrinking coverage options, and policy cancellations continue to put pressure on families, property owners, and local economies already exposed to wildfire danger.

The town hall concluded with agreement that the Corporation Commission and Legislature should work more closely on wildfire mitigation efforts that protect reliability, affordability, and public safety.

“Arizona is making progress, but there is more work to do,” Representative Bliss said. “If utilities, regulators, firefighters, insurers, and lawmakers stay focused on prevention and act early, we can lower risk, protect property, and better protect Arizona communities before the next fire season puts them in danger.”

Selina Bliss is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives, serving Legislative District 1 in Yavapai County, and Chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee. Follow her on X at @SelinaBliss.