RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.

Establishes a State Fire Marshal Selection Commission to appoint and oversee the State Fire Marshal starting January 1, 2026, replacing the previous appointment process through the State Fire Council.

Moves the Office of the State Fire Marshal from the Office of the Governor to the Department of Defense for administrative purposes.

Requires creation of a statewide wildfire hazard map with three zones (low, moderate, high) that includes geospatial data on vulnerable communities and is updated annually.

Establishes a Community Risk Reduction Program that emphasizes wildfire prevention education, cost-effective structure hardening, and vegetation management.

Updates the State Fire Council's role to remove direct appointment authority over the State Fire Marshal and adds advisory functions.

Creates a new Community Risk Reduction Special Fund separate from the general fund to support wildfire prevention, structure hardening, and defensible space programs.

Exempts the State Fire Marshal and Deputy State Fire Marshal positions from standard civil service recruitment requirements.

Authorizes counties to adopt defensible space requirements that exceed state minimums and allows the State Fire Marshal to develop graduated fine structures for noncompliance.

Sets the effective date for the new State Fire Marshal Selection Commission as January 1, 2026, and includes a biennial reporting requirement starting in 2027.

Established the Office of the State Fire Marshal within the Governor's office instead of the Department of Labor, with the State Fire Marshal appointed by the Governor from a list submitted by the State Fire Council.

Created a statewide wildfire hazard map with three zones (low, moderate, high) that must include data on vulnerable communities and be updated annually.

Mandated minimum defensible space requirements that counties can exceed, with a graduated fine structure for noncompliance.

Created a Community Risk Reduction Program emphasizing education, structure hardening, and vegetation management.

Established an advisory board with representatives from counties, utilities, insurance, and vulnerable populations to guide the Office's strategic priorities.

Established a separate Community Risk Reduction Special Fund for wildfire mitigation, structure hardening, and defensible space creation in high-risk areas.

Changed the effective date from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 3000, with appropriations effective July 1, 2025, likely due to formatting or drafting errors.

Expanded the State Fire Marshal's enforcement powers to include operating emergency vehicles and conducting inspections of state buildings.

Added new definitions for 'defensible space' and expanded the State Fire Marshal's powers and duties to include wildfire readiness and community risk reduction.

Establishes a new Office of the State Fire Marshal within the Department of Defense, headed by a state fire marshal appointed by the State Fire Council.

Transfers administrative oversight of the State Fire Council from the Department of Labor to the Department of Defense.

Creates minimum defensible space requirements that counties must enforce, with the state fire marshal establishing standards and providing technical assistance.

Establishes a special fund for community risk reduction and appropriates funds for the office's operations for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

Grants the state fire marshal authority to investigate fires, conduct inspections of state buildings, and coordinate with county law enforcement agencies.

Defines key terms including 'defensible space' and 'fire protection equipment' to standardize enforcement and compliance measures.

Sets a biennial reporting requirement for the state fire marshal starting in 2027, with reports due before each odd-numbered legislative session.

Moved the Office of the State Fire Marshal from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to the Department of Law Enforcement for administrative purposes.

Established a State Fire Marshal Selection Commission consisting of seven members to appoint and evaluate the state fire marshal, beginning January 1, 2026.

Created a community risk reduction program emphasizing wildfire prevention education, structure hardening, and vegetation management.

Required the state fire marshal to prepare and publish biennial statistical reports on fire defenses and causes.

Mandated the development of a comprehensive statewide wildfire hazard map displaying wildfire hazard zones.

Authorized the state fire marshal to establish minimum defensible space requirements and develop a graduated fine structure for noncompliance.

Required the state fire marshal to consult with the state fire council to establish minimum defensible space requirements.

Appropriated $2,212,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same amount for 2026-2027 to fund the office's operations, staff, and equipment.

Updated the definition of 'defensible space' to include treatment, clearing, or modification of materials to slow wildfire spread.