AB-706
Energy & Environment

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

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a new state fund to reduce wildfire risk by removing forest biomass waste.
  • Creates a program to process up to 15 million tons of forest waste annually for wildfire prevention.
  • Prioritizes funding for existing bioenergy facilities operating before January 2031.
  • Prohibits the use of utility ratepayer money to fund the program.

Summary

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.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 706 Aguiar-Curry Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Utilities and Energy]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 9 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Author
Gail Pellerin
Gail PellerinD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 2, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
750479PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a new state fund to reduce wildfire risk by removing forest biomass waste.
  • Creates a program to process up to 15 million tons of forest waste annually for wildfire prevention.
  • Prioritizes funding for existing bioenergy facilities operating before January 2031.
  • Prohibits the use of utility ratepayer money to fund the program.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Author
Gail Pellerin
Gail PellerinD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

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.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 706 Aguiar-Curry Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Utilities and Energy]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 2, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
750479PASS

Contacts

Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 9 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Bill Author