AB-2483 • 2026

Wildland firefighters: Formerly Incarcerated Firefighter Certification and Employment Program.

Crime

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Elhawary
Last action: 2026-06-03
Official status: Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and L., P.E. & R.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how many positions will be available or the exact number of individuals who might benefit from this program.

Wildland Firefighters: Formerly Incarcerated Certification and Employment Program

This law helps people who were in prison get jobs as wildland firefighters by giving them training certificates and hiring preferences.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to give official written certification to inmates who complete firefighting training before they are released from prison, starting July 1, 2027.
Gives hiring preference to formerly incarcerated individuals for certain firefighter positions if they meet minimum qualifications, starting January 1, 2028.
Counts time spent as an incarcerated hand crew member towards meeting job requirements for forestry technician positions, starting January 1, 2028.

Who It Names or Affects

People who were in prison and complete firefighting training while incarcerated.
The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which hires wildland firefighters.
Departments involved with corrections and rehabilitation.

Terms To Know

Category Placement: A system used by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to prioritize job applicants based on their qualifications and experience.
Fire Fighter 1 Classification: An entry-level position for wildland firefighters in California.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how many positions will be available or the exact number of people who might benefit from this program.
It is unclear if other states will adopt similar programs.

Bill History

2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and L., P.E. & R.
2026-05-27 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-26 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0.)
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2026-05-06 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on P. E. & R.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on P. E. & R. Read second time and amended.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on P. E. & R. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (March 23).
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and PUB. S.
2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2483, as amended, Elhawary.
Wildland firefighters: Formerly Incarcerated Firefighter Certification and Employment Program.
Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and requires the department to be responsible for, among other things, fire protection and prevention, as provided.
Existing law establishes the California Conservation Camp program for the purpose of having inmates and wards work on projects supervised by the department. Existing law requires the department to utilize inmates and wards assigned to conservation camps in performing fire prevention, fire control, and other work at the department.
This bill would require, on and after July 1, 2027, the department to, in partnership with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the California Conservation Camp program, implement a standardized process to ensure that all eligible individuals who
successfully complete training in a department firefighting training camp while incarcerated receive official written certification
reflective of the training completed
before their release, as specified.
This bill would require the department, on and after January 1, 2028, if a qualified formerly incarcerated individual, as defined, applies for a Fire Fighter 1 Classification position
and has the required training and meets the minimum qualifications for the position,
to award hiring preference under Category Placement 2 to the qualified formerly incarcerated individual, as specified. The bill would require the department, on and after January 1, 2028, if a qualified formerly incarcerated individual applies for a Forestry Technician Classification position, to count the duration of specified training and fieldwork as an incarcerated hand crew member towards the minimum qualifications for the classification and to award hiring preference to the formerly incarcerated individual. The bill would authorize the department to provide hiring preference to qualified formerly incarcerated individuals for new entry level classifications or positions, as provided.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF