Bill > AB1699

This bill, known as the Good Fire Act, aims to expand and make permanent California's Prescribed Fire Liability Pilot Program, which helps fund coverage for losses from controlled burns and cultural fires. It broadens eligibility for this program to individuals and entities beyond non-public organizations, excluding only the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the federal government. The bill also removes the requirement for the department to approve burn plans beforehand, instead mandating that plans be submitted to a claims fund portal before ignition, and requires the program to prioritize certain types of burns if the fund becomes oversubscribed. Additionally, it mandates that burn bosses, who are certified individuals authorized to conduct prescribed burns, undergo recertification every three years and encourages the department to find more instructors for their certification program. The bill also allows the department to waive or modify inspection requirements for certain burn permit applications and exempts actions taken by the department to assist in prescribed fire or cultural burning projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which is a state law requiring environmental impact assessments for projects. Finally, it ensures that grant funds awarded for beneficial fire projects can cover overtime or double pay for employees and contractors involved, and adjusts reporting timelines for grantees receiving advance payments.