Air quality: wildland vegetation management burning: permits: exemption.

Assembly Member Essayli's proposal to modify California's agricultural burning regulations would shift oversight responsibilities to local fire protection agencies while creating new exemptions for wildland vegetation management burns. The legislation amends existing state law to require, rather than merely authorize, the State Air Resources Board to designate public fire protection agencies or equivalent entities to oversee agricultural burning activities and issue permits.

Under the proposed changes, wildland vegetation management burning would no longer require permits when conducted by or supervised by designated agencies. The bill maintains environmental and safety oversight by requiring the State Air Resources Board to develop guidelines and best practices for these burns. These guidelines would establish protocols to protect public safety and environmental quality during vegetation management activities.

The measure includes provisions to address the financial impact on local agencies, as the expanded oversight duties constitute a state-mandated local program. If the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill creates new costs for local agencies, the state would provide reimbursement through existing statutory mechanisms. This maintains the current framework for managing state-mandated local programs while adapting regulatory requirements for agricultural and wildland burning activities.