CA AB2538

Authorizes CAL-FIRE to employ seasonal firefighters for longer than 9 months in a consecutive 12-month period to address emergency fire conditions and personnel shortages, overriding existing constitutional limits on temporary appointments.

Requires the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection to determine annually whether current firefighter staffing levels are insufficient to meet state fire protection and emergency response needs.

Mandates CAL-FIRE notify specified legislative committees and the Legislative Analyst's Office within 30 days of the director's staffing determination, and requires seasonal firefighters to be hired through an employment list.

Requires the Legislative Analyst's Office to submit a report by January 10, 2030 assessing the impacts of this authority on CAL-FIRE's capacity to address emergencies, seasonal workforce numbers, and effects on the 66-hour workweek implementation.

Sunsets the authorization on January 1, 2031, with implementation beginning January 1, 2025.