AB 2276 Summary

• Repeals the Small Timberland Owner Exemption that allowed certain tree cutting without timber harvesting plans.

• Renames the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption to the Forest Resilience Exemption, revises qualifying standards, and extends it until January 1, 2031 (previously set to expire January 1, 2026).

• Extends the defensible space exemption for cutting trees on property around habitable structures until January 1, 2031, expanding the protected distance from 150 feet to up to 300 feet from structures.

• Revises requirements for California black and Oregon white oak woodland restoration exemptions, including stricter limits on tree harvesting and requirements for registered professional foresters to prepare notices of exemption.

• Requires the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to adopt emergency regulations to implement and ensure compliance with these exemption requirements, and updates bioenergy feedstock provisions in the Public Utilities Code.