Amended IN Senate April 09, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 28, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 514Introduced by Senator CabaldonFebruary 19, 2025An act to amend Sections 4291.5 and 4291.6 of, and to add Section 4291.7 to, the Public Resources Code, relating to wildfire prevention. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 514, as amended, Cabaldon. Wildfire prevention: assessment: accreditation.Existing law requires the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection, until January 1, 2026, to establish a statewide program to allow qualifying entities who have completed a specific training program to support and augment the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts, and requires the director to establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by qualifying entities, to be reported to the department, among other things.Existing law requires the department, until January 1, 2026, to develop and implement a training program for individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible and home hardening assessment and public education efforts. Existing law requires the training program to do specified things.This bill would extend the operative date of both programs described above indefinitely.Existing law requires the department, in accordance with a plan approved by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, to carry out specified duties with respect to the prevention and control of forest fires.This bill would require the department to create a standardized accreditation framework to accredit local governments, fire safe councils, and neighborhoods for following wildfire prevention practices, as provided. The bill would require the department to publish on their its internet website specified information, including a list of all accredited entities.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. Section 4291.5 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4291.5. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Home hardening means the replacement or repair of structural features that are affixed to the property with features that are in compliance with Chapter 7A (commencing with Section 701A.1) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.(2) Qualified entities means the following entities that have completed the program developed developed, and received a certification, pursuant to Section 4291.6:(A) Counties, state conservancies, special districts, and other political subdivisions of the state.(B) Members of the California Conservation Corps, the Board of Commissioners under CaliforniaVolunteers described in Section 8411 of the Government Code, local conservation corps, resource conservation districts, fire safe councils, and Firewise USA organizations.(C) University of California fire advisors.(D) Registered Professional Foresters.(E) Other entities or individuals deemed appropriate by the director.(3) Wildfire safety improvements mean wildfire resilience and fire safety improvements, including measures for home hardening, the creation of defensible space, and other appropriate fuel reduction activities, to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other real property identified by the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the director.(b) The director shall establish a statewide program to allow qualified entities to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts. Qualified entities participating in the program shall be authorized by the director to conduct defensible space assessments to assess compliance with Section 4291 within the state responsibility area, educate property owners about wildfire safety improvements that may be undertaken to harden a structure and make it more resistant to fire, and assess whether wildfire safety improvements have been completed in or on a structure.(c) (1) The director shall establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by the qualified entities, to be reported to the department and shall establish any necessary quality control measure to ensure that the assessment data is accurate and reliable.(2) The department shall compile the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (1).(d) The director may use the defensible space and home hardening assessment data to do any of the following:(1) Direct inspection and enforcement resources away from landowners who meet or exceed the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(2) Direct inspection and enforcement resources toward landowners who do not meet the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(3) Direct educational resources toward landowners who own or maintain structures that can be hardened to make them more resistant to fire.(4) Assist in estimating defensible space compliance in the state responsibility area.(e) The department may expand or amend existing programs for the implementation of this section.(f) This section does not grant any right of entry onto private land or regulatory or enforcement authority to participating qualified entities.(g) Any local governmental entity that is qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section in very high and high fire hazard severity zones, as identified by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code or Article 9 (commencing with Section 4201) of this chapter or by a local agency pursuant to Section 51179 of the Government Code and reports that information to the department, shall report that information using the common reporting platform established pursuant to subdivision (c).(h) (1) On December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall report to the Legislature all defensible space data collected pursuant paragraph (2) of subdivision (c). The report may include information on the proportion of unique parcels that were inspected, the degree of compliance with requirements set forth in Section 4291, any enforcement actions that may have been taken for noncompliant parcels, and the proportion of parcels that were found to be in compliance across jurisdictions. At minimum, the report shall include data with sufficient detail to facilitate comparisons of community compliance with the requirements of Section 4291 between local governmental entities qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section and local governmental entities that are not.(2) A report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.SEC. 2. Section 4291.6 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4291.6. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that the use of trained volunteers to assist homeowners and fire agencies in achieving compliance with defensible space requirements will provide multiple benefits, including all of the following:(A) Creating a significant public benefit by reducing the risk of the spread of wildfire.(B) Creating significant savings for fire agencies by increasing general compliance with defensible space requirements, and thereby reducing the volume of inspections required by public agencies.(C) Allowing fire agencies to focus their defensible space regulatory enforcement on landowners who are not in compliance after suggestions for voluntary compliance from trained volunteers.(2) It is further the intent of the Legislature that the department do both of the following:(A) Establish a pilot program using trained volunteers with any costs for the pilot project coming from the existing funds made available to the department from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, created pursuant to Section 16428.8 of the Government Code.(B) Consider using the services of the California Fire Science Consortium and the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity program at the Natural Resources Agency to implement this section.(b) The department shall develop and implement a training program to train individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and public education efforts. The training program shall do both of the following:(1) Provide for consistent training for third-party assessors who shall function to provide nonregulatory assistance to homeowners to reduce fire risk and to achieve compliance with defensible space requirements.(2) Ensure that all defensible space and home hardening assessment and education programs undertaken by the department and by third parties are conducted to the same standard and use coordinated messaging, including messages at www.readyforwildfire.org or a successor internet website, as updated by the department.(c) Upon an individuals successful completion of the training program, the department shall issue a certification of completion to the individual.SEC. 3. Section 4291.7 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:4291.7. (a) (1) The department shall create a standardized accreditation framework to recognize neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments for following best practices for wildfire mitigation.(2) Neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments shall be eligible for accreditation and participation in the accreditation framework by those entities shall be optional.(3) The accreditation framework shall include three tiers designated as bronze tier, silver tier, and gold tier.(4) Each practice for wildfire mitigation shall be assigned a point value that shall vary based on the practices value to fire prevention. The department shall grant points to participating neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments towards accreditation.(b) (1)When granting points to neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following practices:(A)(1) Fuel breaks. breaks and vegetation management, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(B)(2) Reflective address signs.(C)Vegetation thinning, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(D)Forest thinning.(E)(3) Recognition of the neighborhood as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(4) Other practices implemented at the neighborhood, fire safe council, or local government scale.(2)Points granted(c) When granting points toward accreditation for neighborhoods pursuant to this subdivision paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require a minimum percentage of properties to have received a certificate upon an assessment by a qualified entity, as defined in Section 4291.5, that any structures on the property comply with home hardening and wildfire safety improvements, as those terms are defined in Section 4291.5.(c)(d) When granting points to toward accreditation for fire safe councils, as described in councils and local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but not is limited to, all shall also consider both of the following:(1) The overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(2) The number of communities recognized as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(3)The councils implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale including, but not limited to, the following:(A)Fuel breaks.(B)Vegetation thinning.(C)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(d)(1)When granting points to local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A)Overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(B)The local governments implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(i)Fuel breaks.(ii)Vegetation thinning.(iii)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(2)Points granted(e) When granting points toward accreditation for local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require the local government to comply with minimum fire safety standards, including, but not limited to, the boards regulations applicable standards pursuant to Sections 4290 and 4290.5 of this code, and Sections 51179, 65302.5, and 65302.15 of the Government Code.(e)(f) The department shall periodically review and update the accreditation standards to ensure the standards reflect the most current fire science and technology.(f)(g) The department shall publish on their its internet website a list of all accredited entities, the entities accreditation tiers, and the practices implemented to receive accreditation.
Amended IN Senate April 09, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 28, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 514Introduced by Senator CabaldonFebruary 19, 2025An act to amend Sections 4291.5 and 4291.6 of, and to add Section 4291.7 to, the Public Resources Code, relating to wildfire prevention. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 514, as amended, Cabaldon. Wildfire prevention: assessment: accreditation.Existing law requires the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection, until January 1, 2026, to establish a statewide program to allow qualifying entities who have completed a specific training program to support and augment the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts, and requires the director to establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by qualifying entities, to be reported to the department, among other things.Existing law requires the department, until January 1, 2026, to develop and implement a training program for individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible and home hardening assessment and public education efforts. Existing law requires the training program to do specified things.This bill would extend the operative date of both programs described above indefinitely.Existing law requires the department, in accordance with a plan approved by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, to carry out specified duties with respect to the prevention and control of forest fires.This bill would require the department to create a standardized accreditation framework to accredit local governments, fire safe councils, and neighborhoods for following wildfire prevention practices, as provided. The bill would require the department to publish on their its internet website specified information, including a list of all accredited entities.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Senate April 09, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 28, 2025
Amended IN Senate April 09, 2025
Amended IN Senate March 28, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 514
Introduced by Senator CabaldonFebruary 19, 2025
Introduced by Senator Cabaldon
February 19, 2025
An act to amend Sections 4291.5 and 4291.6 of, and to add Section 4291.7 to, the Public Resources Code, relating to wildfire prevention.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 514, as amended, Cabaldon. Wildfire prevention: assessment: accreditation.
Existing law requires the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection, until January 1, 2026, to establish a statewide program to allow qualifying entities who have completed a specific training program to support and augment the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts, and requires the director to establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by qualifying entities, to be reported to the department, among other things.Existing law requires the department, until January 1, 2026, to develop and implement a training program for individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible and home hardening assessment and public education efforts. Existing law requires the training program to do specified things.This bill would extend the operative date of both programs described above indefinitely.Existing law requires the department, in accordance with a plan approved by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, to carry out specified duties with respect to the prevention and control of forest fires.This bill would require the department to create a standardized accreditation framework to accredit local governments, fire safe councils, and neighborhoods for following wildfire prevention practices, as provided. The bill would require the department to publish on their its internet website specified information, including a list of all accredited entities.
Existing law requires the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection, until January 1, 2026, to establish a statewide program to allow qualifying entities who have completed a specific training program to support and augment the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts, and requires the director to establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by qualifying entities, to be reported to the department, among other things.
Existing law requires the department, until January 1, 2026, to develop and implement a training program for individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible and home hardening assessment and public education efforts. Existing law requires the training program to do specified things.
This bill would extend the operative date of both programs described above indefinitely.
Existing law requires the department, in accordance with a plan approved by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, to carry out specified duties with respect to the prevention and control of forest fires.
This bill would require the department to create a standardized accreditation framework to accredit local governments, fire safe councils, and neighborhoods for following wildfire prevention practices, as provided. The bill would require the department to publish on their its internet website specified information, including a list of all accredited entities.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 4291.5 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4291.5. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Home hardening means the replacement or repair of structural features that are affixed to the property with features that are in compliance with Chapter 7A (commencing with Section 701A.1) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.(2) Qualified entities means the following entities that have completed the program developed developed, and received a certification, pursuant to Section 4291.6:(A) Counties, state conservancies, special districts, and other political subdivisions of the state.(B) Members of the California Conservation Corps, the Board of Commissioners under CaliforniaVolunteers described in Section 8411 of the Government Code, local conservation corps, resource conservation districts, fire safe councils, and Firewise USA organizations.(C) University of California fire advisors.(D) Registered Professional Foresters.(E) Other entities or individuals deemed appropriate by the director.(3) Wildfire safety improvements mean wildfire resilience and fire safety improvements, including measures for home hardening, the creation of defensible space, and other appropriate fuel reduction activities, to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other real property identified by the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the director.(b) The director shall establish a statewide program to allow qualified entities to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts. Qualified entities participating in the program shall be authorized by the director to conduct defensible space assessments to assess compliance with Section 4291 within the state responsibility area, educate property owners about wildfire safety improvements that may be undertaken to harden a structure and make it more resistant to fire, and assess whether wildfire safety improvements have been completed in or on a structure.(c) (1) The director shall establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by the qualified entities, to be reported to the department and shall establish any necessary quality control measure to ensure that the assessment data is accurate and reliable.(2) The department shall compile the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (1).(d) The director may use the defensible space and home hardening assessment data to do any of the following:(1) Direct inspection and enforcement resources away from landowners who meet or exceed the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(2) Direct inspection and enforcement resources toward landowners who do not meet the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(3) Direct educational resources toward landowners who own or maintain structures that can be hardened to make them more resistant to fire.(4) Assist in estimating defensible space compliance in the state responsibility area.(e) The department may expand or amend existing programs for the implementation of this section.(f) This section does not grant any right of entry onto private land or regulatory or enforcement authority to participating qualified entities.(g) Any local governmental entity that is qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section in very high and high fire hazard severity zones, as identified by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code or Article 9 (commencing with Section 4201) of this chapter or by a local agency pursuant to Section 51179 of the Government Code and reports that information to the department, shall report that information using the common reporting platform established pursuant to subdivision (c).(h) (1) On December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall report to the Legislature all defensible space data collected pursuant paragraph (2) of subdivision (c). The report may include information on the proportion of unique parcels that were inspected, the degree of compliance with requirements set forth in Section 4291, any enforcement actions that may have been taken for noncompliant parcels, and the proportion of parcels that were found to be in compliance across jurisdictions. At minimum, the report shall include data with sufficient detail to facilitate comparisons of community compliance with the requirements of Section 4291 between local governmental entities qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section and local governmental entities that are not.(2) A report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.SEC. 2. Section 4291.6 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4291.6. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that the use of trained volunteers to assist homeowners and fire agencies in achieving compliance with defensible space requirements will provide multiple benefits, including all of the following:(A) Creating a significant public benefit by reducing the risk of the spread of wildfire.(B) Creating significant savings for fire agencies by increasing general compliance with defensible space requirements, and thereby reducing the volume of inspections required by public agencies.(C) Allowing fire agencies to focus their defensible space regulatory enforcement on landowners who are not in compliance after suggestions for voluntary compliance from trained volunteers.(2) It is further the intent of the Legislature that the department do both of the following:(A) Establish a pilot program using trained volunteers with any costs for the pilot project coming from the existing funds made available to the department from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, created pursuant to Section 16428.8 of the Government Code.(B) Consider using the services of the California Fire Science Consortium and the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity program at the Natural Resources Agency to implement this section.(b) The department shall develop and implement a training program to train individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and public education efforts. The training program shall do both of the following:(1) Provide for consistent training for third-party assessors who shall function to provide nonregulatory assistance to homeowners to reduce fire risk and to achieve compliance with defensible space requirements.(2) Ensure that all defensible space and home hardening assessment and education programs undertaken by the department and by third parties are conducted to the same standard and use coordinated messaging, including messages at www.readyforwildfire.org or a successor internet website, as updated by the department.(c) Upon an individuals successful completion of the training program, the department shall issue a certification of completion to the individual.SEC. 3. Section 4291.7 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:4291.7. (a) (1) The department shall create a standardized accreditation framework to recognize neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments for following best practices for wildfire mitigation.(2) Neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments shall be eligible for accreditation and participation in the accreditation framework by those entities shall be optional.(3) The accreditation framework shall include three tiers designated as bronze tier, silver tier, and gold tier.(4) Each practice for wildfire mitigation shall be assigned a point value that shall vary based on the practices value to fire prevention. The department shall grant points to participating neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments towards accreditation.(b) (1)When granting points to neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following practices:(A)(1) Fuel breaks. breaks and vegetation management, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(B)(2) Reflective address signs.(C)Vegetation thinning, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(D)Forest thinning.(E)(3) Recognition of the neighborhood as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(4) Other practices implemented at the neighborhood, fire safe council, or local government scale.(2)Points granted(c) When granting points toward accreditation for neighborhoods pursuant to this subdivision paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require a minimum percentage of properties to have received a certificate upon an assessment by a qualified entity, as defined in Section 4291.5, that any structures on the property comply with home hardening and wildfire safety improvements, as those terms are defined in Section 4291.5.(c)(d) When granting points to toward accreditation for fire safe councils, as described in councils and local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but not is limited to, all shall also consider both of the following:(1) The overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(2) The number of communities recognized as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(3)The councils implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale including, but not limited to, the following:(A)Fuel breaks.(B)Vegetation thinning.(C)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(d)(1)When granting points to local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A)Overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(B)The local governments implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(i)Fuel breaks.(ii)Vegetation thinning.(iii)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(2)Points granted(e) When granting points toward accreditation for local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require the local government to comply with minimum fire safety standards, including, but not limited to, the boards regulations applicable standards pursuant to Sections 4290 and 4290.5 of this code, and Sections 51179, 65302.5, and 65302.15 of the Government Code.(e)(f) The department shall periodically review and update the accreditation standards to ensure the standards reflect the most current fire science and technology.(f)(g) The department shall publish on their its internet website a list of all accredited entities, the entities accreditation tiers, and the practices implemented to receive accreditation.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 4291.5 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4291.5. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Home hardening means the replacement or repair of structural features that are affixed to the property with features that are in compliance with Chapter 7A (commencing with Section 701A.1) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.(2) Qualified entities means the following entities that have completed the program developed developed, and received a certification, pursuant to Section 4291.6:(A) Counties, state conservancies, special districts, and other political subdivisions of the state.(B) Members of the California Conservation Corps, the Board of Commissioners under CaliforniaVolunteers described in Section 8411 of the Government Code, local conservation corps, resource conservation districts, fire safe councils, and Firewise USA organizations.(C) University of California fire advisors.(D) Registered Professional Foresters.(E) Other entities or individuals deemed appropriate by the director.(3) Wildfire safety improvements mean wildfire resilience and fire safety improvements, including measures for home hardening, the creation of defensible space, and other appropriate fuel reduction activities, to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other real property identified by the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the director.(b) The director shall establish a statewide program to allow qualified entities to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts. Qualified entities participating in the program shall be authorized by the director to conduct defensible space assessments to assess compliance with Section 4291 within the state responsibility area, educate property owners about wildfire safety improvements that may be undertaken to harden a structure and make it more resistant to fire, and assess whether wildfire safety improvements have been completed in or on a structure.(c) (1) The director shall establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by the qualified entities, to be reported to the department and shall establish any necessary quality control measure to ensure that the assessment data is accurate and reliable.(2) The department shall compile the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (1).(d) The director may use the defensible space and home hardening assessment data to do any of the following:(1) Direct inspection and enforcement resources away from landowners who meet or exceed the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(2) Direct inspection and enforcement resources toward landowners who do not meet the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(3) Direct educational resources toward landowners who own or maintain structures that can be hardened to make them more resistant to fire.(4) Assist in estimating defensible space compliance in the state responsibility area.(e) The department may expand or amend existing programs for the implementation of this section.(f) This section does not grant any right of entry onto private land or regulatory or enforcement authority to participating qualified entities.(g) Any local governmental entity that is qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section in very high and high fire hazard severity zones, as identified by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code or Article 9 (commencing with Section 4201) of this chapter or by a local agency pursuant to Section 51179 of the Government Code and reports that information to the department, shall report that information using the common reporting platform established pursuant to subdivision (c).(h) (1) On December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall report to the Legislature all defensible space data collected pursuant paragraph (2) of subdivision (c). The report may include information on the proportion of unique parcels that were inspected, the degree of compliance with requirements set forth in Section 4291, any enforcement actions that may have been taken for noncompliant parcels, and the proportion of parcels that were found to be in compliance across jurisdictions. At minimum, the report shall include data with sufficient detail to facilitate comparisons of community compliance with the requirements of Section 4291 between local governmental entities qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section and local governmental entities that are not.(2) A report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
SECTION 1. Section 4291.5 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
4291.5. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Home hardening means the replacement or repair of structural features that are affixed to the property with features that are in compliance with Chapter 7A (commencing with Section 701A.1) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.(2) Qualified entities means the following entities that have completed the program developed developed, and received a certification, pursuant to Section 4291.6:(A) Counties, state conservancies, special districts, and other political subdivisions of the state.(B) Members of the California Conservation Corps, the Board of Commissioners under CaliforniaVolunteers described in Section 8411 of the Government Code, local conservation corps, resource conservation districts, fire safe councils, and Firewise USA organizations.(C) University of California fire advisors.(D) Registered Professional Foresters.(E) Other entities or individuals deemed appropriate by the director.(3) Wildfire safety improvements mean wildfire resilience and fire safety improvements, including measures for home hardening, the creation of defensible space, and other appropriate fuel reduction activities, to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other real property identified by the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the director.(b) The director shall establish a statewide program to allow qualified entities to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts. Qualified entities participating in the program shall be authorized by the director to conduct defensible space assessments to assess compliance with Section 4291 within the state responsibility area, educate property owners about wildfire safety improvements that may be undertaken to harden a structure and make it more resistant to fire, and assess whether wildfire safety improvements have been completed in or on a structure.(c) (1) The director shall establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by the qualified entities, to be reported to the department and shall establish any necessary quality control measure to ensure that the assessment data is accurate and reliable.(2) The department shall compile the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (1).(d) The director may use the defensible space and home hardening assessment data to do any of the following:(1) Direct inspection and enforcement resources away from landowners who meet or exceed the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(2) Direct inspection and enforcement resources toward landowners who do not meet the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(3) Direct educational resources toward landowners who own or maintain structures that can be hardened to make them more resistant to fire.(4) Assist in estimating defensible space compliance in the state responsibility area.(e) The department may expand or amend existing programs for the implementation of this section.(f) This section does not grant any right of entry onto private land or regulatory or enforcement authority to participating qualified entities.(g) Any local governmental entity that is qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section in very high and high fire hazard severity zones, as identified by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code or Article 9 (commencing with Section 4201) of this chapter or by a local agency pursuant to Section 51179 of the Government Code and reports that information to the department, shall report that information using the common reporting platform established pursuant to subdivision (c).(h) (1) On December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall report to the Legislature all defensible space data collected pursuant paragraph (2) of subdivision (c). The report may include information on the proportion of unique parcels that were inspected, the degree of compliance with requirements set forth in Section 4291, any enforcement actions that may have been taken for noncompliant parcels, and the proportion of parcels that were found to be in compliance across jurisdictions. At minimum, the report shall include data with sufficient detail to facilitate comparisons of community compliance with the requirements of Section 4291 between local governmental entities qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section and local governmental entities that are not.(2) A report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
4291.5. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Home hardening means the replacement or repair of structural features that are affixed to the property with features that are in compliance with Chapter 7A (commencing with Section 701A.1) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.(2) Qualified entities means the following entities that have completed the program developed developed, and received a certification, pursuant to Section 4291.6:(A) Counties, state conservancies, special districts, and other political subdivisions of the state.(B) Members of the California Conservation Corps, the Board of Commissioners under CaliforniaVolunteers described in Section 8411 of the Government Code, local conservation corps, resource conservation districts, fire safe councils, and Firewise USA organizations.(C) University of California fire advisors.(D) Registered Professional Foresters.(E) Other entities or individuals deemed appropriate by the director.(3) Wildfire safety improvements mean wildfire resilience and fire safety improvements, including measures for home hardening, the creation of defensible space, and other appropriate fuel reduction activities, to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other real property identified by the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the director.(b) The director shall establish a statewide program to allow qualified entities to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts. Qualified entities participating in the program shall be authorized by the director to conduct defensible space assessments to assess compliance with Section 4291 within the state responsibility area, educate property owners about wildfire safety improvements that may be undertaken to harden a structure and make it more resistant to fire, and assess whether wildfire safety improvements have been completed in or on a structure.(c) (1) The director shall establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by the qualified entities, to be reported to the department and shall establish any necessary quality control measure to ensure that the assessment data is accurate and reliable.(2) The department shall compile the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (1).(d) The director may use the defensible space and home hardening assessment data to do any of the following:(1) Direct inspection and enforcement resources away from landowners who meet or exceed the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(2) Direct inspection and enforcement resources toward landowners who do not meet the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(3) Direct educational resources toward landowners who own or maintain structures that can be hardened to make them more resistant to fire.(4) Assist in estimating defensible space compliance in the state responsibility area.(e) The department may expand or amend existing programs for the implementation of this section.(f) This section does not grant any right of entry onto private land or regulatory or enforcement authority to participating qualified entities.(g) Any local governmental entity that is qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section in very high and high fire hazard severity zones, as identified by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code or Article 9 (commencing with Section 4201) of this chapter or by a local agency pursuant to Section 51179 of the Government Code and reports that information to the department, shall report that information using the common reporting platform established pursuant to subdivision (c).(h) (1) On December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall report to the Legislature all defensible space data collected pursuant paragraph (2) of subdivision (c). The report may include information on the proportion of unique parcels that were inspected, the degree of compliance with requirements set forth in Section 4291, any enforcement actions that may have been taken for noncompliant parcels, and the proportion of parcels that were found to be in compliance across jurisdictions. At minimum, the report shall include data with sufficient detail to facilitate comparisons of community compliance with the requirements of Section 4291 between local governmental entities qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section and local governmental entities that are not.(2) A report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
4291.5. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1) Home hardening means the replacement or repair of structural features that are affixed to the property with features that are in compliance with Chapter 7A (commencing with Section 701A.1) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.(2) Qualified entities means the following entities that have completed the program developed developed, and received a certification, pursuant to Section 4291.6:(A) Counties, state conservancies, special districts, and other political subdivisions of the state.(B) Members of the California Conservation Corps, the Board of Commissioners under CaliforniaVolunteers described in Section 8411 of the Government Code, local conservation corps, resource conservation districts, fire safe councils, and Firewise USA organizations.(C) University of California fire advisors.(D) Registered Professional Foresters.(E) Other entities or individuals deemed appropriate by the director.(3) Wildfire safety improvements mean wildfire resilience and fire safety improvements, including measures for home hardening, the creation of defensible space, and other appropriate fuel reduction activities, to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other real property identified by the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the director.(b) The director shall establish a statewide program to allow qualified entities to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts. Qualified entities participating in the program shall be authorized by the director to conduct defensible space assessments to assess compliance with Section 4291 within the state responsibility area, educate property owners about wildfire safety improvements that may be undertaken to harden a structure and make it more resistant to fire, and assess whether wildfire safety improvements have been completed in or on a structure.(c) (1) The director shall establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by the qualified entities, to be reported to the department and shall establish any necessary quality control measure to ensure that the assessment data is accurate and reliable.(2) The department shall compile the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (1).(d) The director may use the defensible space and home hardening assessment data to do any of the following:(1) Direct inspection and enforcement resources away from landowners who meet or exceed the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(2) Direct inspection and enforcement resources toward landowners who do not meet the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.(3) Direct educational resources toward landowners who own or maintain structures that can be hardened to make them more resistant to fire.(4) Assist in estimating defensible space compliance in the state responsibility area.(e) The department may expand or amend existing programs for the implementation of this section.(f) This section does not grant any right of entry onto private land or regulatory or enforcement authority to participating qualified entities.(g) Any local governmental entity that is qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section in very high and high fire hazard severity zones, as identified by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code or Article 9 (commencing with Section 4201) of this chapter or by a local agency pursuant to Section 51179 of the Government Code and reports that information to the department, shall report that information using the common reporting platform established pursuant to subdivision (c).(h) (1) On December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall report to the Legislature all defensible space data collected pursuant paragraph (2) of subdivision (c). The report may include information on the proportion of unique parcels that were inspected, the degree of compliance with requirements set forth in Section 4291, any enforcement actions that may have been taken for noncompliant parcels, and the proportion of parcels that were found to be in compliance across jurisdictions. At minimum, the report shall include data with sufficient detail to facilitate comparisons of community compliance with the requirements of Section 4291 between local governmental entities qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section and local governmental entities that are not.(2) A report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
4291.5. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Home hardening means the replacement or repair of structural features that are affixed to the property with features that are in compliance with Chapter 7A (commencing with Section 701A.1) of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2) Qualified entities means the following entities that have completed the program developed developed, and received a certification, pursuant to Section 4291.6:
(A) Counties, state conservancies, special districts, and other political subdivisions of the state.
(B) Members of the California Conservation Corps, the Board of Commissioners under CaliforniaVolunteers described in Section 8411 of the Government Code, local conservation corps, resource conservation districts, fire safe councils, and Firewise USA organizations.
(C) University of California fire advisors.
(D) Registered Professional Foresters.
(E) Other entities or individuals deemed appropriate by the director.
(3) Wildfire safety improvements mean wildfire resilience and fire safety improvements, including measures for home hardening, the creation of defensible space, and other appropriate fuel reduction activities, to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other real property identified by the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the director.
(b) The director shall establish a statewide program to allow qualified entities to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and education efforts. Qualified entities participating in the program shall be authorized by the director to conduct defensible space assessments to assess compliance with Section 4291 within the state responsibility area, educate property owners about wildfire safety improvements that may be undertaken to harden a structure and make it more resistant to fire, and assess whether wildfire safety improvements have been completed in or on a structure.
(c) (1) The director shall establish a common reporting platform that allows defensible space and home hardening assessment data, collected by the qualified entities, to be reported to the department and shall establish any necessary quality control measure to ensure that the assessment data is accurate and reliable.
(2) The department shall compile the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (1).
(d) The director may use the defensible space and home hardening assessment data to do any of the following:
(1) Direct inspection and enforcement resources away from landowners who meet or exceed the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.
(2) Direct inspection and enforcement resources toward landowners who do not meet the departments standards and regulations for maintaining defensible space.
(3) Direct educational resources toward landowners who own or maintain structures that can be hardened to make them more resistant to fire.
(4) Assist in estimating defensible space compliance in the state responsibility area.
(e) The department may expand or amend existing programs for the implementation of this section.
(f) This section does not grant any right of entry onto private land or regulatory or enforcement authority to participating qualified entities.
(g) Any local governmental entity that is qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section in very high and high fire hazard severity zones, as identified by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178 of the Government Code or Article 9 (commencing with Section 4201) of this chapter or by a local agency pursuant to Section 51179 of the Government Code and reports that information to the department, shall report that information using the common reporting platform established pursuant to subdivision (c).
(h) (1) On December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall report to the Legislature all defensible space data collected pursuant paragraph (2) of subdivision (c). The report may include information on the proportion of unique parcels that were inspected, the degree of compliance with requirements set forth in Section 4291, any enforcement actions that may have been taken for noncompliant parcels, and the proportion of parcels that were found to be in compliance across jurisdictions. At minimum, the report shall include data with sufficient detail to facilitate comparisons of community compliance with the requirements of Section 4291 between local governmental entities qualified to conduct defensible space assessments pursuant to this section and local governmental entities that are not.
(2) A report submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
SEC. 2. Section 4291.6 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4291.6. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that the use of trained volunteers to assist homeowners and fire agencies in achieving compliance with defensible space requirements will provide multiple benefits, including all of the following:(A) Creating a significant public benefit by reducing the risk of the spread of wildfire.(B) Creating significant savings for fire agencies by increasing general compliance with defensible space requirements, and thereby reducing the volume of inspections required by public agencies.(C) Allowing fire agencies to focus their defensible space regulatory enforcement on landowners who are not in compliance after suggestions for voluntary compliance from trained volunteers.(2) It is further the intent of the Legislature that the department do both of the following:(A) Establish a pilot program using trained volunteers with any costs for the pilot project coming from the existing funds made available to the department from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, created pursuant to Section 16428.8 of the Government Code.(B) Consider using the services of the California Fire Science Consortium and the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity program at the Natural Resources Agency to implement this section.(b) The department shall develop and implement a training program to train individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and public education efforts. The training program shall do both of the following:(1) Provide for consistent training for third-party assessors who shall function to provide nonregulatory assistance to homeowners to reduce fire risk and to achieve compliance with defensible space requirements.(2) Ensure that all defensible space and home hardening assessment and education programs undertaken by the department and by third parties are conducted to the same standard and use coordinated messaging, including messages at www.readyforwildfire.org or a successor internet website, as updated by the department.(c) Upon an individuals successful completion of the training program, the department shall issue a certification of completion to the individual.
SEC. 2. Section 4291.6 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:
### SEC. 2.
4291.6. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that the use of trained volunteers to assist homeowners and fire agencies in achieving compliance with defensible space requirements will provide multiple benefits, including all of the following:(A) Creating a significant public benefit by reducing the risk of the spread of wildfire.(B) Creating significant savings for fire agencies by increasing general compliance with defensible space requirements, and thereby reducing the volume of inspections required by public agencies.(C) Allowing fire agencies to focus their defensible space regulatory enforcement on landowners who are not in compliance after suggestions for voluntary compliance from trained volunteers.(2) It is further the intent of the Legislature that the department do both of the following:(A) Establish a pilot program using trained volunteers with any costs for the pilot project coming from the existing funds made available to the department from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, created pursuant to Section 16428.8 of the Government Code.(B) Consider using the services of the California Fire Science Consortium and the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity program at the Natural Resources Agency to implement this section.(b) The department shall develop and implement a training program to train individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and public education efforts. The training program shall do both of the following:(1) Provide for consistent training for third-party assessors who shall function to provide nonregulatory assistance to homeowners to reduce fire risk and to achieve compliance with defensible space requirements.(2) Ensure that all defensible space and home hardening assessment and education programs undertaken by the department and by third parties are conducted to the same standard and use coordinated messaging, including messages at www.readyforwildfire.org or a successor internet website, as updated by the department.(c) Upon an individuals successful completion of the training program, the department shall issue a certification of completion to the individual.
4291.6. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that the use of trained volunteers to assist homeowners and fire agencies in achieving compliance with defensible space requirements will provide multiple benefits, including all of the following:(A) Creating a significant public benefit by reducing the risk of the spread of wildfire.(B) Creating significant savings for fire agencies by increasing general compliance with defensible space requirements, and thereby reducing the volume of inspections required by public agencies.(C) Allowing fire agencies to focus their defensible space regulatory enforcement on landowners who are not in compliance after suggestions for voluntary compliance from trained volunteers.(2) It is further the intent of the Legislature that the department do both of the following:(A) Establish a pilot program using trained volunteers with any costs for the pilot project coming from the existing funds made available to the department from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, created pursuant to Section 16428.8 of the Government Code.(B) Consider using the services of the California Fire Science Consortium and the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity program at the Natural Resources Agency to implement this section.(b) The department shall develop and implement a training program to train individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and public education efforts. The training program shall do both of the following:(1) Provide for consistent training for third-party assessors who shall function to provide nonregulatory assistance to homeowners to reduce fire risk and to achieve compliance with defensible space requirements.(2) Ensure that all defensible space and home hardening assessment and education programs undertaken by the department and by third parties are conducted to the same standard and use coordinated messaging, including messages at www.readyforwildfire.org or a successor internet website, as updated by the department.(c) Upon an individuals successful completion of the training program, the department shall issue a certification of completion to the individual.
4291.6. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that the use of trained volunteers to assist homeowners and fire agencies in achieving compliance with defensible space requirements will provide multiple benefits, including all of the following:(A) Creating a significant public benefit by reducing the risk of the spread of wildfire.(B) Creating significant savings for fire agencies by increasing general compliance with defensible space requirements, and thereby reducing the volume of inspections required by public agencies.(C) Allowing fire agencies to focus their defensible space regulatory enforcement on landowners who are not in compliance after suggestions for voluntary compliance from trained volunteers.(2) It is further the intent of the Legislature that the department do both of the following:(A) Establish a pilot program using trained volunteers with any costs for the pilot project coming from the existing funds made available to the department from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, created pursuant to Section 16428.8 of the Government Code.(B) Consider using the services of the California Fire Science Consortium and the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity program at the Natural Resources Agency to implement this section.(b) The department shall develop and implement a training program to train individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and public education efforts. The training program shall do both of the following:(1) Provide for consistent training for third-party assessors who shall function to provide nonregulatory assistance to homeowners to reduce fire risk and to achieve compliance with defensible space requirements.(2) Ensure that all defensible space and home hardening assessment and education programs undertaken by the department and by third parties are conducted to the same standard and use coordinated messaging, including messages at www.readyforwildfire.org or a successor internet website, as updated by the department.(c) Upon an individuals successful completion of the training program, the department shall issue a certification of completion to the individual.
4291.6. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that the use of trained volunteers to assist homeowners and fire agencies in achieving compliance with defensible space requirements will provide multiple benefits, including all of the following:
(A) Creating a significant public benefit by reducing the risk of the spread of wildfire.
(B) Creating significant savings for fire agencies by increasing general compliance with defensible space requirements, and thereby reducing the volume of inspections required by public agencies.
(C) Allowing fire agencies to focus their defensible space regulatory enforcement on landowners who are not in compliance after suggestions for voluntary compliance from trained volunteers.
(2) It is further the intent of the Legislature that the department do both of the following:
(A) Establish a pilot program using trained volunteers with any costs for the pilot project coming from the existing funds made available to the department from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, created pursuant to Section 16428.8 of the Government Code.
(B) Consider using the services of the California Fire Science Consortium and the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity program at the Natural Resources Agency to implement this section.
(b) The department shall develop and implement a training program to train individuals to support and augment the department in its defensible space and home hardening assessment and public education efforts. The training program shall do both of the following:
(1) Provide for consistent training for third-party assessors who shall function to provide nonregulatory assistance to homeowners to reduce fire risk and to achieve compliance with defensible space requirements.
(2) Ensure that all defensible space and home hardening assessment and education programs undertaken by the department and by third parties are conducted to the same standard and use coordinated messaging, including messages at www.readyforwildfire.org or a successor internet website, as updated by the department.
(c) Upon an individuals successful completion of the training program, the department shall issue a certification of completion to the individual.
SEC. 3. Section 4291.7 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:4291.7. (a) (1) The department shall create a standardized accreditation framework to recognize neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments for following best practices for wildfire mitigation.(2) Neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments shall be eligible for accreditation and participation in the accreditation framework by those entities shall be optional.(3) The accreditation framework shall include three tiers designated as bronze tier, silver tier, and gold tier.(4) Each practice for wildfire mitigation shall be assigned a point value that shall vary based on the practices value to fire prevention. The department shall grant points to participating neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments towards accreditation.(b) (1)When granting points to neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following practices:(A)(1) Fuel breaks. breaks and vegetation management, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(B)(2) Reflective address signs.(C)Vegetation thinning, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(D)Forest thinning.(E)(3) Recognition of the neighborhood as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(4) Other practices implemented at the neighborhood, fire safe council, or local government scale.(2)Points granted(c) When granting points toward accreditation for neighborhoods pursuant to this subdivision paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require a minimum percentage of properties to have received a certificate upon an assessment by a qualified entity, as defined in Section 4291.5, that any structures on the property comply with home hardening and wildfire safety improvements, as those terms are defined in Section 4291.5.(c)(d) When granting points to toward accreditation for fire safe councils, as described in councils and local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but not is limited to, all shall also consider both of the following:(1) The overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(2) The number of communities recognized as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(3)The councils implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale including, but not limited to, the following:(A)Fuel breaks.(B)Vegetation thinning.(C)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(d)(1)When granting points to local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A)Overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(B)The local governments implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(i)Fuel breaks.(ii)Vegetation thinning.(iii)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(2)Points granted(e) When granting points toward accreditation for local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require the local government to comply with minimum fire safety standards, including, but not limited to, the boards regulations applicable standards pursuant to Sections 4290 and 4290.5 of this code, and Sections 51179, 65302.5, and 65302.15 of the Government Code.(e)(f) The department shall periodically review and update the accreditation standards to ensure the standards reflect the most current fire science and technology.(f)(g) The department shall publish on their its internet website a list of all accredited entities, the entities accreditation tiers, and the practices implemented to receive accreditation.
SEC. 3. Section 4291.7 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:
### SEC. 3.
4291.7. (a) (1) The department shall create a standardized accreditation framework to recognize neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments for following best practices for wildfire mitigation.(2) Neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments shall be eligible for accreditation and participation in the accreditation framework by those entities shall be optional.(3) The accreditation framework shall include three tiers designated as bronze tier, silver tier, and gold tier.(4) Each practice for wildfire mitigation shall be assigned a point value that shall vary based on the practices value to fire prevention. The department shall grant points to participating neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments towards accreditation.(b) (1)When granting points to neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following practices:(A)(1) Fuel breaks. breaks and vegetation management, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(B)(2) Reflective address signs.(C)Vegetation thinning, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(D)Forest thinning.(E)(3) Recognition of the neighborhood as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(4) Other practices implemented at the neighborhood, fire safe council, or local government scale.(2)Points granted(c) When granting points toward accreditation for neighborhoods pursuant to this subdivision paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require a minimum percentage of properties to have received a certificate upon an assessment by a qualified entity, as defined in Section 4291.5, that any structures on the property comply with home hardening and wildfire safety improvements, as those terms are defined in Section 4291.5.(c)(d) When granting points to toward accreditation for fire safe councils, as described in councils and local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but not is limited to, all shall also consider both of the following:(1) The overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(2) The number of communities recognized as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(3)The councils implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale including, but not limited to, the following:(A)Fuel breaks.(B)Vegetation thinning.(C)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(d)(1)When granting points to local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A)Overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(B)The local governments implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(i)Fuel breaks.(ii)Vegetation thinning.(iii)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(2)Points granted(e) When granting points toward accreditation for local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require the local government to comply with minimum fire safety standards, including, but not limited to, the boards regulations applicable standards pursuant to Sections 4290 and 4290.5 of this code, and Sections 51179, 65302.5, and 65302.15 of the Government Code.(e)(f) The department shall periodically review and update the accreditation standards to ensure the standards reflect the most current fire science and technology.(f)(g) The department shall publish on their its internet website a list of all accredited entities, the entities accreditation tiers, and the practices implemented to receive accreditation.
4291.7. (a) (1) The department shall create a standardized accreditation framework to recognize neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments for following best practices for wildfire mitigation.(2) Neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments shall be eligible for accreditation and participation in the accreditation framework by those entities shall be optional.(3) The accreditation framework shall include three tiers designated as bronze tier, silver tier, and gold tier.(4) Each practice for wildfire mitigation shall be assigned a point value that shall vary based on the practices value to fire prevention. The department shall grant points to participating neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments towards accreditation.(b) (1)When granting points to neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following practices:(A)(1) Fuel breaks. breaks and vegetation management, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(B)(2) Reflective address signs.(C)Vegetation thinning, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(D)Forest thinning.(E)(3) Recognition of the neighborhood as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(4) Other practices implemented at the neighborhood, fire safe council, or local government scale.(2)Points granted(c) When granting points toward accreditation for neighborhoods pursuant to this subdivision paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require a minimum percentage of properties to have received a certificate upon an assessment by a qualified entity, as defined in Section 4291.5, that any structures on the property comply with home hardening and wildfire safety improvements, as those terms are defined in Section 4291.5.(c)(d) When granting points to toward accreditation for fire safe councils, as described in councils and local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but not is limited to, all shall also consider both of the following:(1) The overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(2) The number of communities recognized as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(3)The councils implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale including, but not limited to, the following:(A)Fuel breaks.(B)Vegetation thinning.(C)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(d)(1)When granting points to local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A)Overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(B)The local governments implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(i)Fuel breaks.(ii)Vegetation thinning.(iii)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(2)Points granted(e) When granting points toward accreditation for local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require the local government to comply with minimum fire safety standards, including, but not limited to, the boards regulations applicable standards pursuant to Sections 4290 and 4290.5 of this code, and Sections 51179, 65302.5, and 65302.15 of the Government Code.(e)(f) The department shall periodically review and update the accreditation standards to ensure the standards reflect the most current fire science and technology.(f)(g) The department shall publish on their its internet website a list of all accredited entities, the entities accreditation tiers, and the practices implemented to receive accreditation.
4291.7. (a) (1) The department shall create a standardized accreditation framework to recognize neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments for following best practices for wildfire mitigation.(2) Neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments shall be eligible for accreditation and participation in the accreditation framework by those entities shall be optional.(3) The accreditation framework shall include three tiers designated as bronze tier, silver tier, and gold tier.(4) Each practice for wildfire mitigation shall be assigned a point value that shall vary based on the practices value to fire prevention. The department shall grant points to participating neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments towards accreditation.(b) (1)When granting points to neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following practices:(A)(1) Fuel breaks. breaks and vegetation management, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(B)(2) Reflective address signs.(C)Vegetation thinning, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.(D)Forest thinning.(E)(3) Recognition of the neighborhood as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(4) Other practices implemented at the neighborhood, fire safe council, or local government scale.(2)Points granted(c) When granting points toward accreditation for neighborhoods pursuant to this subdivision paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require a minimum percentage of properties to have received a certificate upon an assessment by a qualified entity, as defined in Section 4291.5, that any structures on the property comply with home hardening and wildfire safety improvements, as those terms are defined in Section 4291.5.(c)(d) When granting points to toward accreditation for fire safe councils, as described in councils and local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but not is limited to, all shall also consider both of the following:(1) The overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(2) The number of communities recognized as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.(3)The councils implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale including, but not limited to, the following:(A)Fuel breaks.(B)Vegetation thinning.(C)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(d)(1)When granting points to local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following:(A)Overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(B)The local governments implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale, including, but not limited to, all of the following:(i)Fuel breaks.(ii)Vegetation thinning.(iii)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.(2)Points granted(e) When granting points toward accreditation for local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require the local government to comply with minimum fire safety standards, including, but not limited to, the boards regulations applicable standards pursuant to Sections 4290 and 4290.5 of this code, and Sections 51179, 65302.5, and 65302.15 of the Government Code.(e)(f) The department shall periodically review and update the accreditation standards to ensure the standards reflect the most current fire science and technology.(f)(g) The department shall publish on their its internet website a list of all accredited entities, the entities accreditation tiers, and the practices implemented to receive accreditation.
4291.7. (a) (1) The department shall create a standardized accreditation framework to recognize neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments for following best practices for wildfire mitigation.
(2) Neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments shall be eligible for accreditation and participation in the accreditation framework by those entities shall be optional.
(3) The accreditation framework shall include three tiers designated as bronze tier, silver tier, and gold tier.
(4) Each practice for wildfire mitigation shall be assigned a point value that shall vary based on the practices value to fire prevention. The department shall grant points to participating neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments towards accreditation.
(b) (1)When granting points to neighborhoods, fire safe councils, and local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following practices:
(A)
(1) Fuel breaks. breaks and vegetation management, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.
(B)
(2) Reflective address signs.
(C)Vegetation thinning, particularly at roadsides or around perimeters.
(D)Forest thinning.
(E)
(3) Recognition of the neighborhood as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.
(4) Other practices implemented at the neighborhood, fire safe council, or local government scale.
(2)Points granted
(c) When granting points toward accreditation for neighborhoods pursuant to this subdivision paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require a minimum percentage of properties to have received a certificate upon an assessment by a qualified entity, as defined in Section 4291.5, that any structures on the property comply with home hardening and wildfire safety improvements, as those terms are defined in Section 4291.5.
(c)
(d) When granting points to toward accreditation for fire safe councils, as described in councils and local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but not is limited to, all shall also consider both of the following:
(1) The overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
(2) The number of communities recognized as a National Fire Protection Association Firewise USA community.
(3)The councils implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale including, but not limited to, the following:
(A)Fuel breaks.
(B)Vegetation thinning.
(C)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.
(d)(1)When granting points to local governments, as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department may consider, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(A)Overall rate of protection for individual properties and neighborhoods in a given area pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
(B)The local governments implementation of wildfire mitigation practices on a larger scale, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i)Fuel breaks.
(ii)Vegetation thinning.
(iii)Other practices implemented at a larger scale.
(2)Points granted
(e) When granting points toward accreditation for local governments pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a), the department shall also require the local government to comply with minimum fire safety standards, including, but not limited to, the boards regulations applicable standards pursuant to Sections 4290 and 4290.5 of this code, and Sections 51179, 65302.5, and 65302.15 of the Government Code.
(e)
(f) The department shall periodically review and update the accreditation standards to ensure the standards reflect the most current fire science and technology.
(f)
(g) The department shall publish on their its internet website a list of all accredited entities, the entities accreditation tiers, and the practices implemented to receive accreditation.