Wildfire mitigation program: financial assistance to counties.

Existing law, contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature, requires the Office of Emergency Services to enter into a joint powers agreement with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to develop and administer a comprehensive wildfire mitigation program to, among other things, encourage cost-effective structure hardening and retrofitting to create fire-resistant homes, businesses, and public buildings. Existing law requires the joint powers authority to develop eligibility criteria for property owners, community organizations, and local governments who may receive financial assistance under the program. This bill would require the joint powers authority to provide financial assistance to the 10 counties with the greatest combined risk of wildfire and social vulnerability based on the above-described eligibility criteria, as provided. This bill would make related findings and declarations.