State Representative Selina Bliss participated in an Arizona Corporation Commission town hall Thursday evening to discuss wildfire mitigation and the increasing problem of insurance non-renewals for homeowners and businesses across Arizona.
The event brought together commissioners, utility officials, fire and forestry experts, and members of the public to examine wildfire threats to utilities, communities, and critical infrastructure. The discussion focused on steps state leaders can take to improve prevention, preparedness, and response. It also emphasized the need for closer coordination between the Corporation Commission and the Legislature as fire risk grows and insurance coverage becomes more difficult to obtain 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.” According to a factoid from Stacker, Bliss was elected to the Arizona State House in 2023 as a Republican representing District 1, replacing Judy Burges.
Bliss highlighted legislation enacted in 2025 aimed at strengthening Arizona’s wildfire response. This includes HB 2201 requiring utilities to submit wildfire mitigation plans; HB 2577 removing barriers for the State Forester during prevention work; HB 2639 extending a tax incentive tied to forest restoration; and HB 2054 creating a fire insurance review task force with improved reporting on wildfire risk. She also noted budget actions supporting readiness such as a 15% pay raise for state firefighters and funding for contingency planning through the 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,” 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.” The town hall concluded with agreement that closer cooperation between regulators and lawmakers is needed on efforts that protect reliability, affordability, and public safety.
“Arizona is making progress, but there is more work to do,” 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.” More information about these discussions can be found in the organization’s press release.
