Bill > AB1960

This bill directs the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in consultation with the State Fire Marshal’s Wildfire Mitigation Advisory Committee, to establish a voluntary wildfire mitigation validation program that officially recognizes communities making progress in wildfire preparedness and safety. To earn this recognition, communities must meet specific, science-backed criteria—such as "home hardening" (modifying buildings with fire-resistant materials), creating "defensible space" (clearing flammable vegetation around structures), reducing hazardous fuels, and maintaining green spaces. Starting in the 2028–29 fiscal year, the bill authorizes the department to distribute money from its existing Wildfire Prevention Grants Program (a state funding source used for local fire safety projects) to these officially recognized communities if they partner with eligible groups like local fire safe councils, which are community-based organizations that work to reduce wildfire risks. Furthermore, the legislation allows the state to give funding preference to disadvantaged recognized communities, while explicitly prohibiting communities from using this new official recognition to change insurance rates or underwriting practices without empirical evidence.