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AB 307

Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024: Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: fire camera mapping system.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cottie Petrie-Norris

Allocates $25M from Prop 4 wildfire bond funds to CAL FIRE for fire-ignition detection tech, with $10M for ALERTCalifornia camera mapping, pending legislative appropriation.

In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
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Bill Summary · AB 307

AB 307 — Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024: Fire Camera Mapping System

Overview

AB 307, introduced January 23, 2025 by Petrie-Norris, would designate a specific use of funds authorized under Proposition 4 (Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024). The bill focuses on fire detection technology, specifically the ALERTCalifornia fire camera mapping system, within the broader framework of wildfire prevention funding.

Purpose and Intent

  • Align with Proposition 4, which authorized $10 billion in state General Obligation bonds for climate resilience, wildfire and forest resilience, and related programs.
  • Within funding for wildfire prevention, the bill would earmark a portion for technologies that improve detection and assessment of new fire ignitions, with a specific allocation to the ALERTCalifornia fire camera mapping system.

Key Provisions

  • Amends Public Resources Code Section 91535 to specify that:
    • From funds made available by Section 91500, $25,000,000 shall be available, upon legislative appropriation, to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for technologies that improve detection and assessment of new fire ignitions.
    • Of that $25,000,000, $10,000,000 shall be allocated for the ALERTCalifornia fire camera mapping system.

Affected Entities

  • California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE): would receive funding specifically allocated for fire detection technologies.
  • ALERTCalifornia program: targeted funding to support or expand its fire camera mapping capabilities.
  • The California Legislature: must appropriate the funds as specified.

Funding and Fiscal Considerations

  • The proposal operates within the existing Proposition 4 bond authority.
  • It does not appropriates funds beyond the $25,000,000 line item for fire ignition technologies; the allocation to ALERTCalifornia is contingent on legislative appropriation.
  • The bill’s wording emphasizes allocation "upon appropriation by the Legislature," indicating funding would require future legislative action.

Procedural and Timeline Context

  • Introduced: January 23, 2025.
  • Referred to Assembly Natural Resources: February 10, 2025.
  • First reading: January 23, 2025; may be heard February 23.
  • In committee status: Set, first hearing; hearing canceled at the request of the author (as of March 24, 2025).

Potential Impact

  • Positive: Enhanced early detection and assessment of wildfires through expanded camera-based mapping, potentially speeding response and protecting communities and resources.
  • Operational considerations: Requires ongoing legislative appropriation, interagency coordination with CAL FIRE, and integration with existing ALERTCalifornia infrastructure and data systems.
  • Fiscal note: No new mandatory appropriation beyond the specified $25M once authorized; contingent on future legislative action.

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

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