CA AB9

Establishes the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program in the Department of Conservation to provide block grants to regional entities for developing fire-adapted communities, improving forest health, and implementing wildfire mitigation projects, with funds contingent on legislative appropriation.

Creates the Deputy Director of Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation within the Office of the State Fire Marshal to oversee fire prevention programs including defensible space requirements, fire hazard severity zones, building code standards, and community wildfire preparedness initiatives.

Requires the State Fire Marshal to report to the Legislature by January 1, 2023 on personnel and resource shortfalls in implementing community wildfire preparedness and mitigation programs.

Establishes the State Fire Marshal's Wildfire Mitigation Advisory Committee to meet monthly and provide public input on wildfire preparedness and mitigation programs involving representatives from state agencies, fire services, insurance industry, and other stakeholders.

Transfers local assistance grant program duties to the Office of the State Fire Marshal by June 1, 2022 and removes contingency language requiring legislative appropriation for ember-resistant zone regulations and fuels management guidance updates.