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    AB-846
    Energy & Environment

    Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a new process for local agencies to conduct wildfire prevention while protecting endangered species.
    • Requires local agencies to submit wildlife protection plans to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for review.
    • Mandates the Department to approve or deny permits within 45 days of receiving complete applications.
    • Sets minimum five-year terms for approved permits with options for renewal.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Connolly's wildfire preparedness legislation establishes a framework for local agencies to conduct fire prevention activities while protecting endangered species. The measure creates a process for cities, counties, and special districts to submit wildfire preparedness plans to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for areas designated as fire hazard severity zones.

    Under the new provisions, local agencies must include detailed information in their preparedness plans about proposed activities, timing, and potentially affected species. The Department must review submissions within 90 days to determine whether an incidental take permit is required or if activities qualify for other pathways like the California Vegetation Treatment Program. When permits are needed, the Department must process complete applications within 45 days, with permits valid for at least five years and eligible for renewal.

    The legislation requires the Department to develop a standardized submission form by July 2026 and begin publishing annual summaries of submitted plans in 2027. These summaries will track plan status, regional distribution, permit issuance, and available streamlined options. The Department will charge local agencies fees to cover plan review costs. The measure allows timeline extensions by mutual agreement between the Department and local agencies while requiring that all plans incorporate best available science for both fire preparedness and species conservation.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 846 Connolly Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass as amended
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Natural Resources]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tom LackeyR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 9 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tom LackeyR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Damon ConnollyD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    SB-375
    Wildfire prevention activities: Endangered Species Act: California Environmental Quality Act: California Coastal Act of 1973.
    February 2025
    Introduced
    View Bill
    AB-2330
    Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities.
    February 2024
    Vetoed
    View Bill
    Showing 2 of 2 items
    Page 1 of 1

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Damon Connolly
    Damon ConnollyD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Author
    Tom Lackey
    Tom LackeyR
    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

    View History
    June 24, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a new process for local agencies to conduct wildfire prevention while protecting endangered species.
    • Requires local agencies to submit wildlife protection plans to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for review.
    • Mandates the Department to approve or deny permits within 45 days of receiving complete applications.
    • Sets minimum five-year terms for approved permits with options for renewal.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Damon Connolly
    Damon ConnollyD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Author
    Tom Lackey
    Tom LackeyR
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Connolly's wildfire preparedness legislation establishes a framework for local agencies to conduct fire prevention activities while protecting endangered species. The measure creates a process for cities, counties, and special districts to submit wildfire preparedness plans to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for areas designated as fire hazard severity zones.

    Under the new provisions, local agencies must include detailed information in their preparedness plans about proposed activities, timing, and potentially affected species. The Department must review submissions within 90 days to determine whether an incidental take permit is required or if activities qualify for other pathways like the California Vegetation Treatment Program. When permits are needed, the Department must process complete applications within 45 days, with permits valid for at least five years and eligible for renewal.

    The legislation requires the Department to develop a standardized submission form by July 2026 and begin publishing annual summaries of submitted plans in 2027. These summaries will track plan status, regional distribution, permit issuance, and available streamlined options. The Department will charge local agencies fees to cover plan review costs. The measure allows timeline extensions by mutual agreement between the Department and local agencies while requiring that all plans incorporate best available science for both fire preparedness and species conservation.

    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 Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 846 Connolly Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass as amended
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Natural Resources]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    June 24, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tom LackeyR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 9 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tom LackeyR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Damon ConnollyD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    SB-375
    Wildfire prevention activities: Endangered Species Act: California Environmental Quality Act: California Coastal Act of 1973.
    February 2025
    Introduced
    View Bill
    AB-2330
    Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities.
    February 2024
    Vetoed
    View Bill
    Showing 2 of 2 items
    Page 1 of 1