In California’s 2026 legislative session, Coalition members brought forward a range of proposals aimed at strengthening the state’s ability to address the cycle of catastrophic wildfire. From expanding prescribed and cultural fire to supporting regional landscape stewardship, strengthening local capacity, financing home hardening, and streamlining wildfire mitigation projects, lawmakers considered a number of approaches to addressing California’s growing wildfire risk. With the Legislature adjourned and the Governor’s final actions now complete, here is a look at where several key wildfire resilience bills landed.
Note: The Wildfire Solutions Coalition did not take formal positions on these bills. This update provides information about legislation relevant to wildfire resilience and to help our members and supporters stay informed.
| AB 1699 (Rogers) — Good Fire Act Status: Signed into law Coalition Member: The Nature Conservancy | AB 1699, the Good Fire Act, expands California’s capacity to conduct prescribed and cultural burning by addressing liability, certification, and permitting barriers. The bill extends State-Certified Prescribed Fire Burn Boss certifications from one year to three years, supports efforts to expand the burn-boss workforce, and makes changes to the state’s Prescribed Fire Liability Pilot Program. Governor Newsom signed AB 1699 on September 29. |
| AB 1891 (Connolly) — Beneficial Fire Capacity Program Status: Vetoed Coalition Member: The Watershed Research and Training Center | AB 1891 would have established the Beneficial Fire Capacity Program within CAL FIRE to expand training, organizational capacity, and implementation support for community-led beneficial fire programs, including prescribed and cultural burning. The bill passed both houses of the Legislature but was vetoed by Governor Newsom on September 27. |
| AB 2513 (Petrie-Norris) — Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program Status: Signed into law Coalition Member: Irvine Ranch Conservancy | AB 2513 strengthens California’s Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program by establishing a local assistance grant program and regional landscape grants to support wildfire and forest resilience projects. The bill passed both houses unanimously and was signed by Governor Newsom on September 29. |
| SB 894 (Allen) — Wildfire Resiliency: Financial Assistance Status: Signed into law Coalition Member: Megafire Action | SB 894 establishes the California Wildfire Resilience Loan Program, creating a new mechanism for financing wildfire risk-reduction projects, including home hardening and defensible-space improvements. The program will provide financial assistance through the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority, subject to legislative appropriation. Governor Newsom signed SB 894 on September 29. |
| SB 899 (Grove) — Wildfire Smoke Status: Did not advance Coalition Members: The Nature Conservancy, Association of California Water Agencies, California Farm Bureau, Rural County Representatives of California | SB 899 would have directed the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, in coordination with state health and environmental agencies, to assess the health costs and impacts of wildfire smoke using existing wildfire smoke and health data. The bill was held in committee and under submission in the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 13 and did not advance to the Governor. |
| SB 973 (Becker) — Wildfire County Coordinator Program Status: Signed into law Coalition Members: California FireSafe Council and Megafire Action | SB 973 codifies and strengthens the Wildfire County Coordinator Program, supporting county-level capacity to coordinate wildfire prevention, preparedness, mitigation, evacuation planning, and recovery. The program connects local governments and communities with state, federal, Tribal, and other partners to advance wildfire resilience. Governor Newsom signed SB 973 on September 29. |
| SB 1370 (Stern) — Consolidated and Expedited Review Status: Signed into law | SB 1370 establishes a consolidated and expedited state review process for qualifying wildfire mitigation projects. The law brings required environmental and resource permits, approvals, consultations, and reviews together under a coordinated review process, with the goal of moving wildfire mitigation projects from planning to implementation more efficiently while maintaining environmental safeguards. Governor Newsom signed SB 1370 on September 29. |
Read more about the wildfire legislation in the Governor’s press release.