State Fire Marshal: lithium-ion battery facilities: guidance.

The California Assembly Committee on Emergency Management has put forward measures requiring the State Fire Marshal to develop comprehensive safety protocols for utility-grade lithium-ion battery storage facilities, addressing growing concerns about fire risks in the expanding energy storage sector.

Under the proposal, the State Fire Marshal would collaborate with the Office of Emergency Services to establish guidelines covering fire prevention, response procedures, and recovery operations at these facilities. The measures would outline best practices for protecting emergency personnel during incidents and create protocols for facility operators to communicate time-sensitive information to local emergency managers and public safety agencies.

The bill adds new provisions to existing fire safety regulations without modifying current requirements. While the State Fire Marshal already maintains general authority to promote fire prevention through education and enforcement, these provisions would create specific guidelines for the emerging field of utility-scale battery storage. The measure requires fiscal committee review but does not include new appropriations or enforcement mechanisms beyond existing frameworks.