CA AB609

Requires the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development to submit a report to the Legislature by July 1, 2025, assessing the feasibility of evaluating innovative aerial firefighting technologies with the National Interagency Aviation Committee and International Airtanker Board.

Directs the office to evaluate whether new technologies exist that meet CAL FIRE standards for water and retardant delivery systems, including safety, airworthiness, coverage level, delivery consistency, precision, and ground firefighter safety.

Requires the office to consider whether updates are needed to CAL FIRE and Office of Emergency Services procedures and deployment protocols to incorporate innovative wildfire technologies currently available in California.

The Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development remains in effect only until January 1, 2029, at which point it is repealed.