Budget Act of 2024.
- Exempts wildfire prevention projects from environmental review requirements to accelerate implementation.
- Defines wildfire projects to include fuel breaks, forest thinning, prescribed burns, and vegetation management.
- Allows local agencies to levy fees instead of receiving state reimbursement for mandated programs.
Assembly Members Essayli and Gallagher propose amending the Budget Act of 2024 to exempt wildfire prevention projects from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements. The legislation defines wildfire prevention projects to include fuel breaks, fuels reduction, forest thinning, prescribed fire, reforestation, timber harvesting, and other vegetation management activities.
The bill modifies existing environmental review processes by creating a categorical exemption from CEQA for these specified wildfire prevention activities, while maintaining compliance requirements with Section 4799.05 of the Public Resources Code. This change would allow agencies to implement qualifying projects without conducting environmental impact assessments typically required under CEQA.
Local agencies and school districts retain authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments to fund any mandated programs or services under the legislation. The bill specifies that no state reimbursement is required for these local costs, as existing revenue mechanisms are deemed sufficient to cover program expenses.
 James GallagherR Assemblymember | Bill Author |  Not Contacted | |
 Heath FloraR Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Laurie DaviesR Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Juan AlanisR Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Bill EssayliR Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
- Exempts wildfire prevention projects from environmental review requirements to accelerate implementation.
- Defines wildfire projects to include fuel breaks, forest thinning, prescribed burns, and vegetation management.
- Allows local agencies to levy fees instead of receiving state reimbursement for mandated programs.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assembly Members Essayli and Gallagher propose amending the Budget Act of 2024 to exempt wildfire prevention projects from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements. The legislation defines wildfire prevention projects to include fuel breaks, fuels reduction, forest thinning, prescribed fire, reforestation, timber harvesting, and other vegetation management activities.
The bill modifies existing environmental review processes by creating a categorical exemption from CEQA for these specified wildfire prevention activities, while maintaining compliance requirements with Section 4799.05 of the Public Resources Code. This change would allow agencies to implement qualifying projects without conducting environmental impact assessments typically required under CEQA.
Local agencies and school districts retain authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments to fund any mandated programs or services under the legislation. The bill specifies that no state reimbursement is required for these local costs, as existing revenue mechanisms are deemed sufficient to cover program expenses.
James GallagherR Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Heath FloraR Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Laurie DaviesR Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Juan AlanisR Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Bill EssayliR Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted |