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AB 706

Relating to: equalized value calculations, project costs, and local levy limits relating to tax incremental districts. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clint Anderson and 24 co-sponsors

AB 706 creates the FOREST and Wildfire Prevention Fund to boost processing of up to 15M bone-dry tons/yr of forest biomass, prioritizing BioRAM/BioMAT fleets to reduce wildfires.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · AB 706

AB 706 — Forest Organic Residue, Energy, and Safety Transformation and Wildfire Prevention Fund Act (Aguiar‑Curry)

Main purpose

AB 706 creates a state program and dedicated fund to scale procurement, transport, processing, and beneficial use of forest biomass waste to reduce wildfire fuels and associated emissions. The bill targets removal and beneficial use of up to 15,000,000 bone‑dry tons of forest biomass per year and prioritizes funding for existing small bioenergy fleets under California’s BioRAM and BioMAT programs.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the FOREST and Wildfire Prevention Fund in the State Treasury and continuously appropriates the fund to the Natural Resources Agency (administered by CAL FIRE/Natural Resources Agency).
  • Creates a fire fuel reduction procurement program to fund:
    • Procurement, transport, and beneficial use of forest biomass waste (up to 15 million bone‑dry tons/year).
    • Projects that convert biomass to energy (bioenergy cogeneration, sawmills, other uses) rather than open pile burning.
  • Requires the program to grant funding priority to BioRAM and BioMAT fleets that are in operation on or before January 1, 2031.
  • Includes legislative findings documenting:
    • California’s biomass potential (~47 million bone‑dry tons).
    • The need to treat ~1,000,000 acres/year (estimating 5–15 million bone‑dry tons removed annually to meet that goal).
    • Current shortfall in BioRAM/BioMAT capacity and the air‑quality/emissions benefits of processing biomass in facilities versus burning.
  • Makes a continuous appropriation from the newly created fund (bill effect: appropriation).

Who is affected

  • Natural Resources Agency / CAL FIRE — program administrator and fund recipient.
  • Bioenergy project operators (BioRAM and BioMAT participants), sawmills, biomass processors, and transporters — potential grant/contract recipients.
  • Electrical corporations and the CPUC — BioMAT/BioRAM referenced as priority recipients and related to renewable procurement.
  • Forestry managers, tribal partners, federal partners, rural communities and regions with biomass accumulation — potential sources of biomass and beneficiaries of reduced wildfire risk.
  • No direct local‑program mandate per the bill digest.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Digest indicates the measure requires a 2/3 vote and makes an appropriation; referred to the fiscal committee.
  • Legislative history (selected): introduced 2/14/2025; considered/amended in Assembly Natural Resources, Utilities & Energy, and Appropriations committees; passed the Assembly (6/2/2025; Ayes 75, Noes 0); read in Senate and referred to committee(s). Most recent entry: read first time and referred to Committee on Ways and Means (12/03/2025).
  • Specific funding levels and program implementation details (grant formulas, eligibility criteria, administrative procedures) are to be defined in the bill text or by the administering agency.

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

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