Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: Fire Innovation Unit.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details about the Deputy Director’s full responsibilities, only that they will lead the Fire Innovation Unit.

Creating a Fire Innovation Unit

This law establishes the Fire Innovation Unit within the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to research, test, and deploy new technologies for wildfire prevention and response.

What This Bill Does

• Establishes the Fire Innovation Unit inside the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
• Sets up a Deputy Director of Wildfire Innovation to lead the unit.
• Allows the unit to establish and administer a grant program to fund projects that enhance wildfire readiness, mitigation, or response.
• Permits the unit to work on pilot, prototype, or demonstration projects to test new technologies for wildfires.
• Requires the department to submit an annual report summarizing activities of the Fire Innovation Unit.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
• Fire agencies at local, state, federal, and international levels

Terms To Know

Deputy Director of Wildfire Innovation

A person in charge of the Fire Innovation Unit who helps find new ways to prevent wildfires.

Grant program

A way for the unit to give money to projects that help with wildfire prevention and response.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law will end on January 1, 2033.
• It only starts if there is enough money given by the government.

Official Summary Text

SB 1079, as introduced, Stern.
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: Fire Innovation Unit.
Existing law establishes the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and establishes various programs for the prevention and reduction of wildfires.
This bill would establish the Fire Innovation Unit within the department, under the direction of a Deputy Director of Wildfire Innovation, to serve as the department’s innovation arm and the state’s principal hub for wildfire technology research, coordination, procurement, and deployment. The bill would require the unit to consist of the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development, the Innovation, Outreach and Coordination Program, and the Rapid Acquisition and Deployment Program, as provided. The bill would authorize the unit to establish and administer a grant program to fund early-stage, mature, or dual-use technology projects that enhance wildfire readiness, mitigation, or response.
The bill would also authorize the unit to (1) administer or monitor pilot, prototype, or demonstration projects to evaluate, mature, and validate wildfire-related technologies, (2) collaborate with public and private educational and research institutions on wildfire technology and innovation, (3) establish testbeds to test or evaluate emerging technologies, and (4) provide technical assistance to local, state, federal, and international fire agencies to facilitate deployment of wildfire-related technologies.
This bill would require the department to submit an annual report to the Governor and the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature summarizing certain information related to the unit, including, among other things, the technologies and projects evaluated, tested, or deployed. The bill would require the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection to implement these provisions only upon appropriation. The bill would repeal these provisions on
January 1, 2033.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF