Forest Organic Residue, Energy, and Safety Transformation and Wildfire Prevention Fund Act.

Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry's Forest Organic Residue, Energy, and Safety Transformation and Wildfire Prevention Fund Act establishes a new fire fuel reduction program to manage up to 15 million bone-dry tons of forest biomass waste annually. The legislation creates the FOREST and Wildfire Prevention Fund in the State Treasury, with continuous appropriation to the Natural Resources Agency to support biomass procurement, transportation, and utilization activities.

The bill directs funding priority to facilities operating under two existing bioenergy programs - the Bioenergy Renewable Auction Mechanism (BioRAM) and Bioenergy Market Adjusting Tariff (BioMAT) - that are operational by January 1, 2031. These programs currently process forest materials through regulated facilities that convert biomass waste into energy. The legislation explicitly prohibits the use of utility ratepayer funds to support the new program.

According to the bill's findings, California faces an estimated 47 million bone-dry tons of biomass requiring management, while current treatment covers approximately 727,269 acres annually. The measure aims to align biomass reduction capabilities with the state's goal of treating one million acres per year through various forest management activities. Implementation will occur through coordination between the Natural Resources Agency, existing bioenergy facilities, and relevant regulatory bodies that oversee emissions and forest management practices.