Bill > AB1227

This bill aims to streamline wildfire prevention efforts by creating a temporary California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for critical fuels reduction projects in high fire hazard areas until January 1, 2028. The bill allows for the removal of hazardous trees, creation of strategic fuel breaks, vegetation removal along roadways to improve emergency access, implementation of cultural traditional ecological knowledge burning techniques, and maintenance of existing fuel breaks. To qualify for the exemption, vegetation removed must be non-native, eight inches or less in diameter, and be a common species. Additionally, the bill requires the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Natural Resources Agency to submit a detailed report to the Legislature by January 31, 2026, documenting the implementation of the Governor's March 1, 2025 emergency proclamation, which temporarily suspends certain regulations to expedite fuels reduction projects. The report must include information about project requests, approvals, locations, treatments, acreage, alignment with wildfire mitigation goals, and any compliance issues. The bill also stipulates that no additional state reimbursement is required for local agencies implementing these provisions.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1227