WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

AB 1226

Air quality: wildland vegetation management burning: permits: exemption.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Juan Alanis and 8 co-sponsors

Wildland vegetation burns may be exempt from state permits if supervised by designated local fire agencies, with CARB issuing rules and best practices.

From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
#airquality #exemption #permits #wildlandvegetationmanagementburning
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 1226

AB 1226 — Air quality: wildland vegetation management burning: permits: exemption

Author: Essayli Ellis
Introduced: February 21, 2025
Status: Re-referred to Assembly Natural Resources Committee (Apr 21, 2025)
Code amended: Health and Safety Code § 41853

Purpose

AB 1226 shifts certain operational responsibilities for agricultural burning (including wildland vegetation management burning) to locally designated fire protection or equivalent agencies, exempts supervised wildland vegetation management burns from state permit requirements, and requires the State Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt rules and develop guidelines and best practices to ensure safety and environmental protection.

Key provisions

  • Amends Health and Safety Code § 41853 to require the State Air Resources Board to:
    • Designate public fire protection agencies or equivalent local agencies to oversee agricultural burning activities and to issue permits under existing law (Section 41852).
    • Adopt rules and regulations providing procedures for permit issuance and to ensure burning activities are conducted safely and effectively.
  • Creates a permit exemption:
    • Wildland vegetation management burning (as defined in Health & Saf. Code § 39011(c)) is exempt from the permitting requirements of Section 41852 and from Section 41701 if the burn is conducted by, or under the supervision of, the designated local agency.
  • Requires CARB to develop guidelines and best practices for wildland vegetation management burning to promote public safety and environmental protection.
  • Includes a state-mandated local program clause: if the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill imposes state-mandated costs on local agencies, reimbursement will follow existing statutory procedures (Gov. Code, Part 7, §17500 et seq.).

Who is affected

  • Local public fire protection agencies and other agencies designated by CARB (expanded oversight and permit issuance duties).
  • Landowners, land managers, and contractors conducting wildland vegetation management burns — they may be exempt from state permit requirements when burns are conducted by or under supervision of a designated agency.
  • Air quality regulators and enforcement entities (CARB and local agencies) — new rulemaking and guidance responsibilities.

Procedural / fiscal notes

  • Vote: majority. No appropriation clause. Referred to fiscal committee. Local program: yes.
  • Legislative actions: introduced Feb 21, 2025; committee referrals and amendments in March–April 2025; re-referred to Natural Resources Committee on Apr 21, 2025.
  • Potential fiscal impact: may increase duties (and costs) for local agencies; reimbursement mechanisms apply if the Commission finds state-mandated costs.

Considerations

The bill centralizes operational oversight with locally designated fire agencies while reducing permit burdens for supervised vegetation management burns. Effectiveness depends on CARB’s forthcoming rules and the quality/implementation of the required guidelines and best practices.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.