Wildfire Prevention Project CEQA Exemption Bill Advances

SACRAMENTO — On Monday, the California Assembly Committee on Natural Resources heard arguments for AB 1227, which would exempt wildfire prevention projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process. Assemblyman Stan Ellis (R-Bakersfield) introduced the legislation in February.

More specifically, AB 1227 would exempt fuel reduction projects in very high fire hazard severity zones from CEQA requirements for two years. “If we want to mitigate the destruction and loss of life from future wildfires, we must commit to a meaningful reform that will return our lands and forests to healthy conditions that reduce the risk of wildfires,” explained Ellis to the committee.

Support for the bill comes from the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), an organization in which Sierra County and all surrounding counties participate. “Many of our communities have been devastated by wildfire over the last decade. CEQA can add procedural delays and cost burdens on time-constrained fuel reduction projects,” said lobbyist John Kennedy.

Assemblyman Rick Zbur (D-Los Angeles) raised concerns about the bill, noting its application might be too broad and vulnerable to exploitation. In response, Assemblyman Ellis accepted amendments aligning the bill’s scope with an emergency proclamation signed by Governor Newsom in March, which also provides CEQA exemptions for forest projects. Committee Chair Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) noted the amendments would “allow for us to see how implementation of the Governor’s emergency proclamation is implemented before adopting these exemptions indefinitely.”

The Natural Resources Committee passed AB 1227 unanimously. Chair Bryan thanked Ellis for collaborating with members on the amendments. The bill now advances to the Assembly Appropriations Committee before reaching an Assembly floor vote.