CA SB514

Indefinitely extends the statewide program allowing qualified entities (counties, conservation corps, fire safe councils, registered professional foresters, and now nonprofit entities focused on wildfire resiliency) to conduct defensible space and home hardening assessments to support the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Expands qualified entities' authority to assess defensible space compliance in local responsibility areas, in addition to the existing authority for state responsibility areas

Requires property owner data voluntarily submitted to the common reporting platform to be anonymized and kept confidential upon request, and prohibits using such data for compliance or enforcement purposes unless specifically requested by the property owner

Authorizes the Office of the State Fire Marshal to certify contractors who conduct defensible space, home hardening, fuel reduction, roadside clearance, and other wildfire resiliency contracting activities after completing the required training program

Requires the department to report annually to the Legislature on defensible space data, including parcel inspection rates, compliance levels, and enforcement actions across jurisdictions