AB-1227
Energy & Environment

Wildfire safety: fuels reduction projects.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Exempts critical wildfire prevention projects from environmental review requirements until January 2028.
  • Allows removal of hazardous vegetation and creation of fuel breaks in high-risk fire zones.
  • Requires state agencies to report on emergency wildfire prevention projects by January 2026.
  • Restricts vegetation removal to non-native plants under 8 inches in diameter.

Summary

Assembly Members Ellis and Gallagher propose exempting critical fuels reduction projects in high-risk fire zones from California Environmental Quality Act requirements through January 2028. The legislation applies to projects in communities designated as very high fire hazard severity zones by the State Fire Marshal or local ordinances.

The exemption covers five categories of wildfire prevention work: removal of hazardous or dead trees, creation of strategic fuel breaks identified in approved fire plans, vegetation clearing along transportation corridors to ensure safe evacuation routes, traditional ecological burning practices, and maintenance of existing fuel modification areas. For most project types, the exemption applies only to common nonnative vegetation species measuring eight inches or less in diameter.

The Natural Resources Agency and California Environmental Protection Agency must report to the Legislature by January 2026 on implementation of the March 2025 emergency proclamation that suspended certain environmental regulations for fuels reduction projects. These reports must detail which entities requested and received regulatory relief, document project specifications, and identify any instances of noncompliance with state environmental protection guidelines. Local agencies retain authority to levy fees sufficient to fund program implementation without state reimbursement.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Introduced. To print.
Assembly Floor
Introduced. To print.
Introduced. To print.

Contacts

Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 23 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 5
Select All Legislators
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Greg WallisR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stan EllisR
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-1951
California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: roadside wildfire prevention projects.
January 2024
Failed
AB-1554
California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: wildfire fuels reduction projects.
February 2023
Failed
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

James Gallagher
James GallagherR
California State Assembly Member
Stan Ellis
Stan EllisR
California State Assembly Member
Co-Authors
Juan Alanis
Juan AlanisR
California State Assembly Member
Leticia Castillo
Leticia CastilloR
California State Assembly Member
Laurie Davies
Laurie DaviesR
California State Assembly Member
Carl DeMaio
Carl DeMaioR
California State Assembly Member
Heath Flora
Heath FloraR
California State Assembly Member
Kate Sanchez
Kate SanchezR
California State Assembly Member
Greg Wallis
Greg WallisR
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

Latest Voting History

May 23, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
140115PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Exempts critical wildfire prevention projects from environmental review requirements until January 2028.
  • Allows removal of hazardous vegetation and creation of fuel breaks in high-risk fire zones.
  • Requires state agencies to report on emergency wildfire prevention projects by January 2026.
  • Restricts vegetation removal to non-native plants under 8 inches in diameter.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

James Gallagher
James GallagherR
California State Assembly Member
Stan Ellis
Stan EllisR
California State Assembly Member
Co-Authors
Juan Alanis
Juan AlanisR
California State Assembly Member
Leticia Castillo
Leticia CastilloR
California State Assembly Member
Laurie Davies
Laurie DaviesR
California State Assembly Member
Carl DeMaio
Carl DeMaioR
California State Assembly Member
Heath Flora
Heath FloraR
California State Assembly Member
Kate Sanchez
Kate SanchezR
California State Assembly Member
Greg Wallis
Greg WallisR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Members Ellis and Gallagher propose exempting critical fuels reduction projects in high-risk fire zones from California Environmental Quality Act requirements through January 2028. The legislation applies to projects in communities designated as very high fire hazard severity zones by the State Fire Marshal or local ordinances.

The exemption covers five categories of wildfire prevention work: removal of hazardous or dead trees, creation of strategic fuel breaks identified in approved fire plans, vegetation clearing along transportation corridors to ensure safe evacuation routes, traditional ecological burning practices, and maintenance of existing fuel modification areas. For most project types, the exemption applies only to common nonnative vegetation species measuring eight inches or less in diameter.

The Natural Resources Agency and California Environmental Protection Agency must report to the Legislature by January 2026 on implementation of the March 2025 emergency proclamation that suspended certain environmental regulations for fuels reduction projects. These reports must detail which entities requested and received regulatory relief, document project specifications, and identify any instances of noncompliance with state environmental protection guidelines. Local agencies retain authority to levy fees sufficient to fund program implementation without state reimbursement.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Introduced. To print.
Assembly Floor
Introduced. To print.
Introduced. To print.

Latest Voting History

May 23, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
140115PASS

Contacts

Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 23 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 5
Select All Legislators
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Laurie DaviesR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Greg WallisR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stan EllisR
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-1951
California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: roadside wildfire prevention projects.
January 2024
Failed
AB-1554
California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: wildfire fuels reduction projects.
February 2023
Failed
Showing 2 of 2 items
Page 1 of 1