CA AB2474

Board of Forestry and Fire Protection must amend emergency regulations by July 1, 2013 to establish a credit system for fire prevention fees based on payments owners already make to local fire agencies.

Owners paying $150 or more annually to local fire protection services are exempt from the state fire prevention fee; those paying less receive a credit equal to their local payments against the $150 maximum fee.

Board must adjust the fire prevention fee to account for fire history and severity in state responsibility areas to ensure fees accurately reflect fire prevention benefits provided.

Board must report to the Legislature by January 1, 2013 and annually thereafter on fire disaster response costs in state responsibility areas, including breakdowns by urban versus rural areas and estimated costs by structure size.

Fire prevention fees remain capped at $150 per structure and are adjusted annually based on the Implicit Price Deflator for State and Local Government Purchases; bill takes effect immediately as an urgency statute.