California Environmental Quality Act: California Vegetation Treatment Program.

Assembly Member Bryan's legislation to modernize California's vegetation management framework directs the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to update its environmental impact guidelines for vegetation treatment by January 2027. The update would expand eligible treatment areas beyond current fire suppression boundaries while incorporating indigenous knowledge and cultural burning practices into the state's approach.

The measure requires the Board to broaden the geographic scope of treatable landscapes suitable for ecological restoration, fuel breaks, and wildland-urban interface fuel reduction. Projects must now detail plans for biomass disposal, including potential commercial sales to offset costs. The updated guidelines would formally recognize cultural burning conducted under state law as an approved treatment activity and integrate tribal ecological knowledge into vegetation management practices.

Under the legislation, public agencies gain explicit authority to partner with federally recognized California Native American tribes on vegetation treatment projects within agency jurisdictions. The current environmental impact framework remains in effect during the update process to ensure continued project approvals. The Board must also align its revised guidelines with objectives outlined in the Governor's March 2025 emergency proclamation addressing wildfire risks.