Amended IN Assembly June 06, 2022 Amended IN Senate March 10, 2021 Amended IN Senate March 04, 2021 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 450Introduced by Senator HertzbergFebruary 16, 2021 An act to add and repeal Section 13142.5 of the Health and Safety Section 8586.9 to the Government Code, relating to fire protection.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 450, as amended, Hertzberg. Fire protection: fire districts: funding: working group: report. Special District Fire Response Fund: Office of Emergency Services.Existing law creates in the Office of the State Fire Marshal a State Board of Fire Services, as provided. Existing law requires the board to make full and complete studies, recommendations, and reports to the Governor and the Legislature for the purpose of recommending the establishment of minimum standards with respect to fire protection, as provided. Section within the office of the Governor, the Office of Emergency Services. Existing law tasks the Office of Emergency Services with, among other things, establishing and leading the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center, jointly with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, to collect, assess, and analyze fire weather data, atmospheric conditions, and other threat indicators of wildfire danger, and to develop and share intelligence products related to fire weather and fire threat conditions. Existing law also tasks the Office of Emergency Services with establishing and administering the FIRESCOPE Program (FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies), to maintain and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of managing multiagency firefighting resources in responding to an incident. Existing law requires the Office of Emergency Services to carry out its responsibilities with respect to the FIRESCOPE Program in cooperation with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and with the advice of the Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Committee/FIRESCOPE Board of Directors. Section 2.2 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution establishes the Special District Fire Response Fund as a subaccount within the California Fire Response Fund within the State Treasury. Existing law requires moneys in the Special District Fire Response Fund to be appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose of funding fire suppression staffing in underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services, as provided.This bill would require the Office of Emergency Services to administer the Special District Fire Response Fund and, in cooperation with the board of directors of the FIRESCOPE Program, to develop a standard grant application form, establish an annual timeline to apply for grants, employ strategies to ensure that underfunded special district that provide fire protection services are aware of the availability of the Special District Fire Response Fund, establish reporting requirements for grant recipients, and develop metrics for consideration of grant applications, as specified.This bill would require the board, on or before February 15, 2022, to convene a working group, with specified representatives, to discuss and make recommendations on the most efficient mechanisms and structure to administer the Special District Fire Response Fund. The bill would require the working group to hold its first meeting no later than March 1, 2022, and to hold 6 additional meetings no later than May 1, 2022, as provided. The bill would require the working group to provide a report to the Legislature and the Department of Finance that includes a set of recommendations regarding the administration of the Special District Fire Response Fund, including, among other things, recommendations relating to mechanisms to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of funding opportunities in the fund, as provided.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to give direction to underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services in meeting the requirements of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution and to provide funding to those districts to increase fire response capacity, improve community resilience to fire threats, prevent civilian injury or death, protect against firefighter injury or death, and reduce property loss, thereby resulting in better community outcomes.SEC. 2. Section 8586.9 is added to the Government Code, to read:8586.9. (a) The Office of Emergency Services shall administer the Special District Fire Response Fund established pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(b) The office shall, in coordination with the board of directors of the FIRESCOPE Program, established pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13070) of Part 1 of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code, do all of the following:(1) Develop a standard application form to be used by special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A) Description of a special districts eligibility to receive a grant pursuant to the criteria contained in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(B) Specification of the number of additional fire suppression staff that would be supported by the grant.(C) Identification of the benefits to firefighter health and safety and community response in the special district, if the grant is funded.(D) Identification of opportunities to leverage other funding sources, if the grant is funded.(2) Establish an annual timeline for special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(3) Employ strategies to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of the availability of the Special District Fire Response Fund to expand and increase fire suppression staffing in qualified districts.(4) Establish reporting requirements for special districts that are awarded grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(5) Develop metrics for consideration of grant applications consistent with paragraphs (3) and (4) of Subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.SECTION 1.Section 13142.5 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:13142.5.(a)(1)On or before February 15, 2022, the State Board of Fire Services shall convene a working group to discuss and make recommendations on the most efficient mechanisms and structure to administer the Special District Fire Response Fund, established pursuant to Section 2.2 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution.(2)The working group shall include, but not be limited to, representatives from all of the following organizations:(A)California Professional Firefighters.(B)California Fire Chiefs Association.(C)Fire Districts Association of California.(D)California Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association.(E)Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.(F)Office of Emergency Services.(b)The working group shall hold its first meeting no later than March 1, 2022. At the first meeting, the working group shall determine a schedule to have six additional meetings completed no later than May 1, 2022.(c)The working group shall evaluate and provide recommendations on all of the following:(1)Mechanisms to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of funding opportunities in the Special District Fire Response Fund to be used exclusively to expand and increase fire suppression staffing in qualified districts.(2)The grant submission process.(3)The interval of grant opportunities.(4)Mechanisms to support the grant application process for eligible special districts that provide fire protection services.(5)Mechanisms to report the additional services provided to the community due to the funding.(6)Opportunities to leverage funding from other sources to supplement the Special District Fire Response Fund.(d)(1)The recommendations developed by the working group pursuant to this section shall be completed and delivered to the Legislature and Department of Finance no later than June 1, 2022.(2)The recommendations developed pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(e)It is the intent of the Legislature in seeking guidance from experts from the firefighting community pursuant to this section to get information on the most appropriate methods to identify and provide funding to underfunded fire districts meeting the requirements of Section 2.2 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution, and to increase fire response capacity that results in better community outcomes, prevents civilian injury or death, protects against firefighter injury or death, and reduces property loss while improving community resilience to fire threats. (f)Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section shall be repealed on January 1, 2026.
Amended IN Assembly June 06, 2022 Amended IN Senate March 10, 2021 Amended IN Senate March 04, 2021 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 450Introduced by Senator HertzbergFebruary 16, 2021 An act to add and repeal Section 13142.5 of the Health and Safety Section 8586.9 to the Government Code, relating to fire protection.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 450, as amended, Hertzberg. Fire protection: fire districts: funding: working group: report. Special District Fire Response Fund: Office of Emergency Services.Existing law creates in the Office of the State Fire Marshal a State Board of Fire Services, as provided. Existing law requires the board to make full and complete studies, recommendations, and reports to the Governor and the Legislature for the purpose of recommending the establishment of minimum standards with respect to fire protection, as provided. Section within the office of the Governor, the Office of Emergency Services. Existing law tasks the Office of Emergency Services with, among other things, establishing and leading the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center, jointly with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, to collect, assess, and analyze fire weather data, atmospheric conditions, and other threat indicators of wildfire danger, and to develop and share intelligence products related to fire weather and fire threat conditions. Existing law also tasks the Office of Emergency Services with establishing and administering the FIRESCOPE Program (FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies), to maintain and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of managing multiagency firefighting resources in responding to an incident. Existing law requires the Office of Emergency Services to carry out its responsibilities with respect to the FIRESCOPE Program in cooperation with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and with the advice of the Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Committee/FIRESCOPE Board of Directors. Section 2.2 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution establishes the Special District Fire Response Fund as a subaccount within the California Fire Response Fund within the State Treasury. Existing law requires moneys in the Special District Fire Response Fund to be appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose of funding fire suppression staffing in underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services, as provided.This bill would require the Office of Emergency Services to administer the Special District Fire Response Fund and, in cooperation with the board of directors of the FIRESCOPE Program, to develop a standard grant application form, establish an annual timeline to apply for grants, employ strategies to ensure that underfunded special district that provide fire protection services are aware of the availability of the Special District Fire Response Fund, establish reporting requirements for grant recipients, and develop metrics for consideration of grant applications, as specified.This bill would require the board, on or before February 15, 2022, to convene a working group, with specified representatives, to discuss and make recommendations on the most efficient mechanisms and structure to administer the Special District Fire Response Fund. The bill would require the working group to hold its first meeting no later than March 1, 2022, and to hold 6 additional meetings no later than May 1, 2022, as provided. The bill would require the working group to provide a report to the Legislature and the Department of Finance that includes a set of recommendations regarding the administration of the Special District Fire Response Fund, including, among other things, recommendations relating to mechanisms to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of funding opportunities in the fund, as provided.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly June 06, 2022 Amended IN Senate March 10, 2021 Amended IN Senate March 04, 2021
Amended IN Assembly June 06, 2022
Amended IN Senate March 10, 2021
Amended IN Senate March 04, 2021
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 450
Introduced by Senator HertzbergFebruary 16, 2021
Introduced by Senator Hertzberg
February 16, 2021
An act to add and repeal Section 13142.5 of the Health and Safety Section 8586.9 to the Government Code, relating to fire protection.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 450, as amended, Hertzberg. Fire protection: fire districts: funding: working group: report. Special District Fire Response Fund: Office of Emergency Services.
Existing law creates in the Office of the State Fire Marshal a State Board of Fire Services, as provided. Existing law requires the board to make full and complete studies, recommendations, and reports to the Governor and the Legislature for the purpose of recommending the establishment of minimum standards with respect to fire protection, as provided. Section within the office of the Governor, the Office of Emergency Services. Existing law tasks the Office of Emergency Services with, among other things, establishing and leading the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center, jointly with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, to collect, assess, and analyze fire weather data, atmospheric conditions, and other threat indicators of wildfire danger, and to develop and share intelligence products related to fire weather and fire threat conditions. Existing law also tasks the Office of Emergency Services with establishing and administering the FIRESCOPE Program (FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies), to maintain and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of managing multiagency firefighting resources in responding to an incident. Existing law requires the Office of Emergency Services to carry out its responsibilities with respect to the FIRESCOPE Program in cooperation with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and with the advice of the Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Committee/FIRESCOPE Board of Directors. Section 2.2 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution establishes the Special District Fire Response Fund as a subaccount within the California Fire Response Fund within the State Treasury. Existing law requires moneys in the Special District Fire Response Fund to be appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose of funding fire suppression staffing in underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services, as provided.This bill would require the Office of Emergency Services to administer the Special District Fire Response Fund and, in cooperation with the board of directors of the FIRESCOPE Program, to develop a standard grant application form, establish an annual timeline to apply for grants, employ strategies to ensure that underfunded special district that provide fire protection services are aware of the availability of the Special District Fire Response Fund, establish reporting requirements for grant recipients, and develop metrics for consideration of grant applications, as specified.This bill would require the board, on or before February 15, 2022, to convene a working group, with specified representatives, to discuss and make recommendations on the most efficient mechanisms and structure to administer the Special District Fire Response Fund. The bill would require the working group to hold its first meeting no later than March 1, 2022, and to hold 6 additional meetings no later than May 1, 2022, as provided. The bill would require the working group to provide a report to the Legislature and the Department of Finance that includes a set of recommendations regarding the administration of the Special District Fire Response Fund, including, among other things, recommendations relating to mechanisms to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of funding opportunities in the fund, as provided.
Existing law creates in the Office of the State Fire Marshal a State Board of Fire Services, as provided. Existing law requires the board to make full and complete studies, recommendations, and reports to the Governor and the Legislature for the purpose of recommending the establishment of minimum standards with respect to fire protection, as provided. Section within the office of the Governor, the Office of Emergency Services. Existing law tasks the Office of Emergency Services with, among other things, establishing and leading the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center, jointly with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, to collect, assess, and analyze fire weather data, atmospheric conditions, and other threat indicators of wildfire danger, and to develop and share intelligence products related to fire weather and fire threat conditions. Existing law also tasks the Office of Emergency Services with establishing and administering the FIRESCOPE Program (FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies), to maintain and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of managing multiagency firefighting resources in responding to an incident. Existing law requires the Office of Emergency Services to carry out its responsibilities with respect to the FIRESCOPE Program in cooperation with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and with the advice of the Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Committee/FIRESCOPE Board of Directors.
Section 2.2 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution establishes the Special District Fire Response Fund as a subaccount within the California Fire Response Fund within the State Treasury. Existing law requires moneys in the Special District Fire Response Fund to be appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose of funding fire suppression staffing in underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services, as provided.
This bill would require the Office of Emergency Services to administer the Special District Fire Response Fund and, in cooperation with the board of directors of the FIRESCOPE Program, to develop a standard grant application form, establish an annual timeline to apply for grants, employ strategies to ensure that underfunded special district that provide fire protection services are aware of the availability of the Special District Fire Response Fund, establish reporting requirements for grant recipients, and develop metrics for consideration of grant applications, as specified.
This bill would require the board, on or before February 15, 2022, to convene a working group, with specified representatives, to discuss and make recommendations on the most efficient mechanisms and structure to administer the Special District Fire Response Fund. The bill would require the working group to hold its first meeting no later than March 1, 2022, and to hold 6 additional meetings no later than May 1, 2022, as provided. The bill would require the working group to provide a report to the Legislature and the Department of Finance that includes a set of recommendations regarding the administration of the Special District Fire Response Fund, including, among other things, recommendations relating to mechanisms to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of funding opportunities in the fund, as provided.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to give direction to underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services in meeting the requirements of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution and to provide funding to those districts to increase fire response capacity, improve community resilience to fire threats, prevent civilian injury or death, protect against firefighter injury or death, and reduce property loss, thereby resulting in better community outcomes.SEC. 2. Section 8586.9 is added to the Government Code, to read:8586.9. (a) The Office of Emergency Services shall administer the Special District Fire Response Fund established pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(b) The office shall, in coordination with the board of directors of the FIRESCOPE Program, established pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13070) of Part 1 of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code, do all of the following:(1) Develop a standard application form to be used by special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A) Description of a special districts eligibility to receive a grant pursuant to the criteria contained in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(B) Specification of the number of additional fire suppression staff that would be supported by the grant.(C) Identification of the benefits to firefighter health and safety and community response in the special district, if the grant is funded.(D) Identification of opportunities to leverage other funding sources, if the grant is funded.(2) Establish an annual timeline for special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(3) Employ strategies to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of the availability of the Special District Fire Response Fund to expand and increase fire suppression staffing in qualified districts.(4) Establish reporting requirements for special districts that are awarded grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(5) Develop metrics for consideration of grant applications consistent with paragraphs (3) and (4) of Subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.SECTION 1.Section 13142.5 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:13142.5.(a)(1)On or before February 15, 2022, the State Board of Fire Services shall convene a working group to discuss and make recommendations on the most efficient mechanisms and structure to administer the Special District Fire Response Fund, established pursuant to Section 2.2 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution.(2)The working group shall include, but not be limited to, representatives from all of the following organizations:(A)California Professional Firefighters.(B)California Fire Chiefs Association.(C)Fire Districts Association of California.(D)California Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association.(E)Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.(F)Office of Emergency Services.(b)The working group shall hold its first meeting no later than March 1, 2022. At the first meeting, the working group shall determine a schedule to have six additional meetings completed no later than May 1, 2022.(c)The working group shall evaluate and provide recommendations on all of the following:(1)Mechanisms to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of funding opportunities in the Special District Fire Response Fund to be used exclusively to expand and increase fire suppression staffing in qualified districts.(2)The grant submission process.(3)The interval of grant opportunities.(4)Mechanisms to support the grant application process for eligible special districts that provide fire protection services.(5)Mechanisms to report the additional services provided to the community due to the funding.(6)Opportunities to leverage funding from other sources to supplement the Special District Fire Response Fund.(d)(1)The recommendations developed by the working group pursuant to this section shall be completed and delivered to the Legislature and Department of Finance no later than June 1, 2022.(2)The recommendations developed pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(e)It is the intent of the Legislature in seeking guidance from experts from the firefighting community pursuant to this section to get information on the most appropriate methods to identify and provide funding to underfunded fire districts meeting the requirements of Section 2.2 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution, and to increase fire response capacity that results in better community outcomes, prevents civilian injury or death, protects against firefighter injury or death, and reduces property loss while improving community resilience to fire threats. (f)Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section shall be repealed on January 1, 2026.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to give direction to underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services in meeting the requirements of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution and to provide funding to those districts to increase fire response capacity, improve community resilience to fire threats, prevent civilian injury or death, protect against firefighter injury or death, and reduce property loss, thereby resulting in better community outcomes.
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to give direction to underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services in meeting the requirements of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution and to provide funding to those districts to increase fire response capacity, improve community resilience to fire threats, prevent civilian injury or death, protect against firefighter injury or death, and reduce property loss, thereby resulting in better community outcomes.
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to give direction to underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services in meeting the requirements of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution and to provide funding to those districts to increase fire response capacity, improve community resilience to fire threats, prevent civilian injury or death, protect against firefighter injury or death, and reduce property loss, thereby resulting in better community outcomes.
### SECTION 1.
SEC. 2. Section 8586.9 is added to the Government Code, to read:8586.9. (a) The Office of Emergency Services shall administer the Special District Fire Response Fund established pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(b) The office shall, in coordination with the board of directors of the FIRESCOPE Program, established pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13070) of Part 1 of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code, do all of the following:(1) Develop a standard application form to be used by special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A) Description of a special districts eligibility to receive a grant pursuant to the criteria contained in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(B) Specification of the number of additional fire suppression staff that would be supported by the grant.(C) Identification of the benefits to firefighter health and safety and community response in the special district, if the grant is funded.(D) Identification of opportunities to leverage other funding sources, if the grant is funded.(2) Establish an annual timeline for special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(3) Employ strategies to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of the availability of the Special District Fire Response Fund to expand and increase fire suppression staffing in qualified districts.(4) Establish reporting requirements for special districts that are awarded grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(5) Develop metrics for consideration of grant applications consistent with paragraphs (3) and (4) of Subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.
SEC. 2. Section 8586.9 is added to the Government Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
8586.9. (a) The Office of Emergency Services shall administer the Special District Fire Response Fund established pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(b) The office shall, in coordination with the board of directors of the FIRESCOPE Program, established pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13070) of Part 1 of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code, do all of the following:(1) Develop a standard application form to be used by special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A) Description of a special districts eligibility to receive a grant pursuant to the criteria contained in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(B) Specification of the number of additional fire suppression staff that would be supported by the grant.(C) Identification of the benefits to firefighter health and safety and community response in the special district, if the grant is funded.(D) Identification of opportunities to leverage other funding sources, if the grant is funded.(2) Establish an annual timeline for special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(3) Employ strategies to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of the availability of the Special District Fire Response Fund to expand and increase fire suppression staffing in qualified districts.(4) Establish reporting requirements for special districts that are awarded grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(5) Develop metrics for consideration of grant applications consistent with paragraphs (3) and (4) of Subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.
8586.9. (a) The Office of Emergency Services shall administer the Special District Fire Response Fund established pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(b) The office shall, in coordination with the board of directors of the FIRESCOPE Program, established pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13070) of Part 1 of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code, do all of the following:(1) Develop a standard application form to be used by special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A) Description of a special districts eligibility to receive a grant pursuant to the criteria contained in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(B) Specification of the number of additional fire suppression staff that would be supported by the grant.(C) Identification of the benefits to firefighter health and safety and community response in the special district, if the grant is funded.(D) Identification of opportunities to leverage other funding sources, if the grant is funded.(2) Establish an annual timeline for special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(3) Employ strategies to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of the availability of the Special District Fire Response Fund to expand and increase fire suppression staffing in qualified districts.(4) Establish reporting requirements for special districts that are awarded grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(5) Develop metrics for consideration of grant applications consistent with paragraphs (3) and (4) of Subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.
8586.9. (a) The Office of Emergency Services shall administer the Special District Fire Response Fund established pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(b) The office shall, in coordination with the board of directors of the FIRESCOPE Program, established pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13070) of Part 1 of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code, do all of the following:(1) Develop a standard application form to be used by special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A) Description of a special districts eligibility to receive a grant pursuant to the criteria contained in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.(B) Specification of the number of additional fire suppression staff that would be supported by the grant.(C) Identification of the benefits to firefighter health and safety and community response in the special district, if the grant is funded.(D) Identification of opportunities to leverage other funding sources, if the grant is funded.(2) Establish an annual timeline for special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(3) Employ strategies to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of the availability of the Special District Fire Response Fund to expand and increase fire suppression staffing in qualified districts.(4) Establish reporting requirements for special districts that are awarded grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.(5) Develop metrics for consideration of grant applications consistent with paragraphs (3) and (4) of Subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.
8586.9. (a) The Office of Emergency Services shall administer the Special District Fire Response Fund established pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.
(b) The office shall, in coordination with the board of directors of the FIRESCOPE Program, established pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13070) of Part 1 of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code, do all of the following:
(1) Develop a standard application form to be used by special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(A) Description of a special districts eligibility to receive a grant pursuant to the criteria contained in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.
(B) Specification of the number of additional fire suppression staff that would be supported by the grant.
(C) Identification of the benefits to firefighter health and safety and community response in the special district, if the grant is funded.
(D) Identification of opportunities to leverage other funding sources, if the grant is funded.
(2) Establish an annual timeline for special districts that provide fire protection services to apply for grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.
(3) Employ strategies to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of the availability of the Special District Fire Response Fund to expand and increase fire suppression staffing in qualified districts.
(4) Establish reporting requirements for special districts that are awarded grants from the Special District Fire Response Fund.
(5) Develop metrics for consideration of grant applications consistent with paragraphs (3) and (4) of Subdivision (f) of Section 2.2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution.
(a)(1)On or before February 15, 2022, the State Board of Fire Services shall convene a working group to discuss and make recommendations on the most efficient mechanisms and structure to administer the Special District Fire Response Fund, established pursuant to Section 2.2 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution.
(2)The working group shall include, but not be limited to, representatives from all of the following organizations:
(A)California Professional Firefighters.
(B)California Fire Chiefs Association.
(C)Fire Districts Association of California.
(D)California Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association.
(E)Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
(F)Office of Emergency Services.
(b)The working group shall hold its first meeting no later than March 1, 2022. At the first meeting, the working group shall determine a schedule to have six additional meetings completed no later than May 1, 2022.
(c)The working group shall evaluate and provide recommendations on all of the following:
(1)Mechanisms to ensure that underfunded special districts that provide fire protection services are aware of funding opportunities in the Special District Fire Response Fund to be used exclusively to expand and increase fire suppression staffing in qualified districts.
(2)The grant submission process.
(3)The interval of grant opportunities.
(4)Mechanisms to support the grant application process for eligible special districts that provide fire protection services.
(5)Mechanisms to report the additional services provided to the community due to the funding.
(6)Opportunities to leverage funding from other sources to supplement the Special District Fire Response Fund.
(d)(1)The recommendations developed by the working group pursuant to this section shall be completed and delivered to the Legislature and Department of Finance no later than June 1, 2022.
(2)The recommendations developed pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(e)It is the intent of the Legislature in seeking guidance from experts from the firefighting community pursuant to this section to get information on the most appropriate methods to identify and provide funding to underfunded fire districts meeting the requirements of Section 2.2 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution, and to increase fire response capacity that results in better community outcomes, prevents civilian injury or death, protects against firefighter injury or death, and reduces property loss while improving community resilience to fire threats.
(f)Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section shall be repealed on January 1, 2026.