CA AB441

Extends the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development within the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection from its original January 1, 2029 repeal date to January 1, 2031

The Office studies, tests, and advises on emerging wildfire prevention and suppression technologies including fire retardants, aerial equipment, predictive modeling software, and communication tools

Extends the comprehensive wildfire mitigation program administered jointly by the Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection from July 1, 2029 to July 1, 2031

Requires the joint powers authority to submit a report to the Legislature by July 1, 2028 evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the wildfire mitigation financial assistance program and overall statewide wildfire risk reduction achieved

The nine-member Wildfire Technology Research and Development Review Advisory Board continues to meet at least quarterly and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature