AB-846
Energy & Environment

Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
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
AB-2330
Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities.
February 2024
Vetoed
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

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

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
AB-2330
Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities.
February 2024
Vetoed
Showing 2 of 2 items
Page 1 of 1