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AB 623

Relating to: various changes to insurance laws.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Calvin Callahan and 1 co-sponsor

AB 623 exempts wildfire fuel modification (500-ft defensible space) and grid-hardening projects from CEQA and coastal permits, speeding mitigation but cutting environmental review.

Representative Udell added as a coauthor
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Bill Summary · AB 623

Summary — AB 623 (Dixon) — Fire prevention projects: CEQA and coastal permit exemptions

Status: Re-referred to Assembly Committee on Natural Resources (4/22/2025)
Introduced: February 13, 2025

Purpose

AB 623 creates statutory exemptions from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and from coastal development permit requirements for certain wildfire fuel management and electrical grid hardening projects. The stated intent is to streamline and expedite work intended to reduce wildfire risk and increase electrical grid resilience.

Key provisions

  • CEQA exemptions (adds Public Resources Code §21080.08 and §21080.36):

    • Exempts a fuel modification project that maintains defensible space of 500 feet from each side and from the front and rear of a building or structure from CEQA. (Bill text shows an amendment from 100 to 500 feet.)
    • Exempts fuel reduction projects to prevent and contain the spread of wildfires from CEQA.
    • Exempts electrical grid resilience or hardening projects from CEQA.
    • The exemption for fuel modification is qualified by “Except as specified in Section 4799.05” (i.e., that specified section remains applicable).

  • Coastal Act exemption (amends Public Resources Code §30600):

    • Adds fuel modification (defensible space 500 feet) and fuel reduction projects to the list of projects that do not require a coastal development permit. Existing notification requirements—agency must notify the Coastal Commission within 14 days of commencement for enumerated exempt projects—remain in place.

  • State-mandated local program and fiscal language:

    • Because local lead agencies must determine whether a project qualifies for the exemptions, the bill imposes a state-mandated local program.
    • The bill declares no state reimbursement is required under Article XIII B, Section 6 of the California Constitution, stating local agencies can levy charges/fees/assessments sufficient to pay for the mandated program (per Gov. Code §17556).

Who is affected

  • Local lead agencies responsible for CEQA determinations and coastal permitting.
  • Fire agencies, landowners, utilities, and local governments implementing fuel modification and fuel reduction projects.
  • The California Coastal Commission (notification workload and oversight).
  • Environmental and community stakeholders who monitor environmental review and coastal protections.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced Feb 13, 2025; multiple committee referrals and author amendments (March–April 2025). Current status: Re‑referred to Assembly Committee on Natural Resources (4/22/2025).
  • Vote: majority required. Fiscal committee review required; bill indicates “Local Program: YES.”

Potential impacts (summary)

  • Likely to accelerate implementation of wildfire mitigation and grid-hardening projects by removing CEQA and certain coastal permitting steps.
  • Could reduce time and cost for project approvals but may limit opportunities for environmental review and public input on affected projects.

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

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