Bill > SB1079

This bill establishes a Fire Innovation Unit (FIU) within the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to accelerate the development and deployment of new technologies for wildfire prevention and response. The FIU will act as a central hub for wildfire technology research, coordination, procurement, and deployment, and will be led by a Deputy Director of Wildfire Innovation. It will consist of three main components: an Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development for scientific evaluations and testing, an Innovation, Outreach, and Coordination Program to connect with end-users and identify needs, and a Rapid Acquisition and Deployment Program to streamline the process of acquiring and implementing new technologies. The bill also authorizes the FIU to administer a grant program for early-stage technology projects, conduct pilot and demonstration projects, collaborate with research institutions, establish testbeds for evaluating new technologies, and provide technical assistance to fire agencies. Importantly, the bill allows for follow-on contracts without a separate competitive bidding process for technologies that successfully complete pilot projects and receive formal validation, aiming to bridge the gap between innovation and operational use. The department is required to submit an annual report on the unit's activities, and the provisions of this bill will be implemented only upon legislative appropriation and will be repealed on January 1, 2033.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1079