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.