The California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (BOF) is holding two special meetings this month to receive public comment on its draft permanent regulation for the State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fire Prevention Benefit Fee.
The first special meeting will start at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, at the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chambers in San Diego.
The second meeting will start at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at the Shasta County Board of Supervisors Chambers in Redding.
ABX1 29, signed by Gov. Brown last July, implements the annual fee of up to $150 for each “habitable” structure within the State Responsibility Area, or SRA, which is covered principally by Cal Fire. When such structures also are in local responsibility areas, there will be a $35 reduction.
Fire chiefs both locally and around the state have opposed the fee.
State regulations said the fire fee will be adjusted annually for inflation.
The new fee is expected to generate an estimated $84.4 million annually, according to Cal Fire, the budget for which the state Legislature cut by $50 million for the 2011-12 fiscal year in anticipation of the fee being collected.
The Board of Equalization said it will collect the fees from state residents beginning this summer.
Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Riverside) has introduced AB 1506, which would repeal ABX1 29 and the resulting fire fee. It passed the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on March 27, as Lake County News has reported. It's now with the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
More information, including meeting locations and agendas, and a copy of the draft regulation can be found on the Board’s Web site at http://www.bof.fire.ca.gov/ .
Anyone unable to attend either of these meetings is encouraged to provide written comments by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by United States Postal Service to the following address:
Mr. George Gentry, Executive Officer
Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
P.O. Box 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244-2460
For more information, contact the Board Office at 916-653-8007.
