Forestry: timber operations: maintenance of timberlands for fuels reduction.

Assembly Member Patterson's forestry management proposal would allow up to 35 noncommercial wildfire fuel reduction projects annually to prepare timber harvesting plans for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance. The measure applies specifically to public-funded projects under 1,500 acres on timberland.

The authorization creates an alternative pathway for eligible fuel reduction efforts while maintaining environmental review requirements through the timber harvesting plan process. Under current law, the Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act requires Department of Forestry and Fire Protection approval for all timber operations. The new provisions would expire on January 1, 2031, at which point the authorization would end unless renewed by the Legislature.

While the measure expands the scope of potential violations under forest practice regulations by creating new requirements, it explicitly states that local agencies and school districts are not entitled to reimbursement for any associated costs. This determination stems from the bill's classification as a modification to existing criminal provisions under the California Constitution.