SB-581 • 2026

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: employment: firefighters.

Labor

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: McGuire (S) , Allen (S) , Grayson (S) , Pérez
Last action: 2025-09-02
Official status: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on the specific changes in job stability or benefits for the transitioning seasonal firefighters.

Making Seasonal Firefighters Permanent

This law requires state agencies to change rules for seasonal firefighters at CAL FIRE, transitioning them from temporary to permanent positions.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Department of Human Resources, the State Personnel Board, and any other relevant state agency to take necessary actions to transition seasonal firefighters employed by the Firefighter I classification within CAL FIRE to a permanent firefighter employment classification.

Who It Names or Affects

Seasonal firefighters working for CAL FIRE
The Department of Human Resources
The State Personnel Board

Terms To Know

CAL FIRE: Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in California
Firefighter I classification: The initial job level for firefighters at CAL FIRE

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify when the changes will take effect.
Does not mention how many seasonal firefighters are currently employed by CAL FIRE.

Bill History

2025-09-02 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 29).
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2025-07-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (July 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-06-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 25). Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2025-06-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on P. E. & R. and NAT. RES.
2025-06-04 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 1457.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2025-05-29 California Legislative Information
Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-29 California Legislative Information
From special consent calendar on motion of Senator Gonzalez.
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Ordered to special consent calendar.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 1205.) (May 23).
2025-05-16 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 23.
2025-05-12 California Legislative Information
May 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2025-05-02 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 12.
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 967.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-11 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 30.
2025-04-10 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
2025-03-27 California Legislative Information
April 9 hearing postponed by committee.
2025-03-26 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 9.
2025-03-05 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 581, as amended, McGuire.
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection:
seasonal firefighters.
employment: firefighters.
The California Constitution establishes certain conditions of employment for state officers and employees. Existing law, the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Act, grants specified employment rights to firefighters, as defined, including temporary, seasonal firefighters employed by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
This bill would require the Department of Human Resources, the State Personnel Board, and any other relevant state agency to take the necessary actions to transition
seasonal firefighters employed by
the Firefighter I classification within
CAL FIRE to a permanent firefighter employment
classification.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF