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AB-609 Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development: report on new technologies.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 07/12/2023 09:00 PM
AB609:v98#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Senate  July 12, 2023

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 609

Introduced by Assembly Member Papan

February 09, 2023

An act to amend Section 8586.8 of the Government Code, relating to emergency services.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 609, as amended, Papan. Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development: report on new technologies.
Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, establishes, within the office of the Governor, the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), under the direction of the Director of Emergency Services for the purpose of mitigating the effects of natural, manmade, or war-caused emergencies.
Existing law establishes the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and establishes various programs for the prevention and reduction of wildfires. Existing law requires Cal OES and CAL FIRE to jointly establish and lead the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center, and sets forth the functions and duties of the center, including serving as the state’s integrated central organizing hub for wildfire forecasting.
Existing law, until January 1, 2029, also establishes the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development within CAL FIRE under the direct control of the director of CAL FIRE. Under existing law, the office is responsible for studying, testing, and advising regarding procurement of emerging technologies and tools in order to more effectively prevent and suppress wildfires throughout the state, as provided.
This bill would require the office to submit a report, as specified, to the Legislature, on or before July 1, 2025, that assesses the feasibility of CAL FIRE and Cal OES, working with the National Interagency Aviation Committee and the International Airtanker Board, to conduct an evaluation of innovative new aerial firefighting technologies, as specified, technologies and whether any new technologies exist that might meet CAL FIRE standards of water and retardant delivery systems, as specified. The bill would also require the office to consider whether updates are appropriate to CAL FIRE and Cal OES procedures and deployment protocols to include innovative wildfire technologies currently available in California.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 8586.8 of the Government Code is amended to read:

8586.8.
 (a) For purposes of this section, “office” means the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development.
(b) The Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development is hereby established in state government within the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to study, test, and advise regarding procurement of emerging technologies and tools in order to more effectively prevent and suppress wildfires within the state. The office shall serve as the central organizing hub for the state government’s identification of emerging wildfire technologies.
(c) The office shall be under the direct control of the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection.
(d) The office shall undertake, but is not limited to, the following activities:
(1) Develop a balanced, multimodal research and development program designed to identify, research, test, and evaluate emerging technologies and tools designed to improve the state’s preparation for, and response to, wildfires in the state, including, but not limited to, fire retardants and ground, aerial, mobile, portable, communication, predictive modeling, software, or stationary equipment used for California’s wildfire preparedness and by first responders.
(2) Consult with public, private, and nonprofit entities in identifying new technologies tools, software, and other advances in wildfire preparedness and response.
(3) Make recommendations to state and local agencies on the most effective and useful technologies and tools for procurement.
(e) The office shall be subject to review by the Wildfire Technology Research and Development Review Advisory Board, which shall serve in an advisory capacity, and shall consist of the following nine members:
(1) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, or their designee.
(2) The Director of the Office of Emergency Services, or their designee.
(3) The Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or their designee.
(4) Four members who are appointed by the Governor for a term of four years each, as follows:
(A) One representative from academia involved in the field of wildfire research and technology development.
(B) One representative from the private wildfire response science, engineering, and technology industry.
(C) One representative from local government.
(D) One member of the public employed as a first responder.
(5) One member who is appointed by the Senate for a term of four years who is involved in victim services.
(6) One member who is appointed by the Assembly for a term of four years who is involved in the protection of privacy and civil liberties.
(f) The board shall meet at least four times per year to review, analyze, and assess the activities and progress of the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development, and to consult with public, private, and nonprofit entities regarding their interaction and responsiveness of the office.
(1) The findings and recommendations of the board shall be compiled and delivered to the office of the Governor and the Legislature as a report no later than January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter.
(2) The report developed by the board pursuant to this section shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.
(g) Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but they may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in connection with their duties.
(h) On or before July 1, 2025, the office shall submit a report to the Legislature, in compliance with Section 9795, that assesses the feasibility of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services, working with the National Interagency Aviation Committee and the International Airtanker Board, to conduct an evaluation of innovative new aerial firefighting technologies, including, but not limited to, the Container Aerial Fire Fighting System, as appropriate, technologies and whether any new technologies exist that might meet the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection standards of water and retardant delivery systems, including retardant delivery standards for safety, airworthiness, coverage level, consistent delivery, delivery time, precision delivery, and ground firefighter safety. As part of this report, the office shall consider whether updates are appropriate to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Office of Emergency Services procedures and deployment protocols to include innovative wildfire technologies currently available in California.
(i) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.