(1) To address wildfire prevention and mitigation and to review and propose legislation relating to such matters, the wildfire matters review committee is hereby created, and is referred to in this part 16 as the "committee". The committee shall meet at the call of the chair at least once during the interim of each year to review and to propose legislation or other policy changes relating to wildfire prevention and mitigation and all related matters, including, without limitation, public safety, forest health, and cooperation with appropriate federal agencies and local governments. The committee may take up to two field trips during the interim and consult with experts in all fields relating to wildfire prevention and mitigation as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of this part 16. All personnel of any state agency or political subdivision of Colorado involved in wildfire prevention and mitigation, including the Colorado department of public safety and the Colorado state forest service, shall cooperate with the committee and with any persons assisting the committee in carrying out its duties pursuant to this section.

(1.5) Repealed.

(2) The committee consists of ten members of the general assembly selected as follows:

(a) Five members from the senate, three appointed by the president of the senate and two appointed by the minority leader of the senate;

(b) Five members from the house of representatives, three appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and two appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.

(3) Appointing authorities shall make their original appointments to the committee not later than July 1, 2013. Terms of service on the committee are for two years. The terms of original appointees to the committee terminate on the convening date of the first regular session of the seventieth general assembly. Thereafter, the terms of members of the committee terminate on the convening date of the first regular session of the general assembly next following their appointment or reappointment, and all subsequent appointments or reappointments are made as soon as practicable after such convening date. Incumbent members may be reappointed to the committee. The person making the original appointment or reappointment shall fill any vacancy by appointment for the remainder of an unexpired term. Members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and continue in office until a successor is appointed, as applicable.

(4) (a) The president of the senate shall appoint the chair of the committee in even-numbered years and the vice-chair in odd-numbered years. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the chair of the committee in odd-numbered years and the vice-chair in even-numbered years.

(b) The committee shall prescribe its own rules of procedure.

(4.5) The committee may recommend up to a total of five bills during each interim. Legislation recommended by the committee must be treated as legislation recommended by an interim committee for purposes of applicable deadlines, bill introduction limits, and any other requirements imposed by the joint rules of the general assembly.

(5) Members of the committee serve without compensation; except that each member is entitled to be reimbursed for necessary expenses in connection with the performance of his or her duties and receives the same per diem as other members of interim committees in attendance at meetings.

(6) Existing employees of the legislative service agencies shall provide any staff assistance required by the committee within existing appropriations.

(7) This part 16 is repealed, effective September 1, 2025.