California SB1079: Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: Fire Innovation Unit.

What the bill says

An act to add and repeal Article 4 (commencing with Section 785) of Chapter 2.5 of Division 1 of the Public Resources Code, relating to fire prevention. fire prevention Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: Fire Innovation Unit. Existing law establishes the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and establishes various programs for the prevention and reduction of wildfires…

From the chaptered text, September 29, 2026:

An act to add and repeal Article 4 (commencing with Section 785) of Chapter 2.5 of Division 1 of the Public Resources Code, relating to fire prevention. fire prevention Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: Fire Innovation Unit. Existing law establishes the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and establishes various programs for the prevention and reduction of wildfires. This bill, which would be operative until January 1, 2033, and upon appropriation by the Legislature, would establish the Fire Innovation Unit within the department to serve as the department’s innovation arm for wildfire technology research, coordination, procurement, and deployment for technologies that, among other things, improve ecosystem and landscape scale resilience. The bill would require the unit to consist of the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development, the Innovation, Outreach and Coordination Program, and the Rapid Acquisition and Deployment Program, as provided. The bill would authorize the unit to establish and administer a program to fund early-stage, mature, or dual-use technology projects that enhance wildfire prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response through grants, contracts, or both. The bill would also authorize the unit to (1) administer or monitor pilot, prototype, or demonstration projects to evaluate, mature, and validate wildfire-related technologies, (2) collaborate with public and private educational and research institutions on wildfire technology and innovation, (3) establish testbeds to test …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Henry Stern (D, SD27) · primary sponsor
• Benjamin Allen (D, SD24)
• Josh Becker (D, SD13)
• Steve Bennett (D, AD38)
• Jacqui Irwin (D, AD42)
• Cottie Petrie-Norris (D, AD73)
• Chris Rogers (D, AD02)

Latest actions

1. September 29, 2026: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 774, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 29, 2026: Approved by the Governor.
3. September 10, 2026: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
4. August 31, 2026: Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 7065.) Ordered to the Senate.
5. August 31, 2026: In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
6. August 31, 2026: Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate.
7. August 31, 2026: Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
8. August 31, 2026: Unanimous consent granted to take up without reference to file.
9. August 28, 2026: Joint Rule 61(b)(16) suspended. (Ayes 57. Noes 1. Page 6819.)
10. August 28, 2026: Ordered to third reading.

Votes

• W/O REF. TO FILE SB1079 Stern (August 31, 2026): 40 yea, 0 nay, passed
• SB 1079 Stern Senate Third Reading By Connolly (August 31, 2026): 78 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass as amended. (August 26, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Amendments (Committee's) (August 26, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass. (August 13, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar (June 29, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB1079?

SB1079 is a bill in the California Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: Fire Innovation Unit.

What does SB1079 do?

In its own words: An act to add and repeal Article 4 (commencing with Section 785) of Chapter 2.5 of Division 1 of the Public Resources Code, relating to fire prevention. fire prevention Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: Fire Innovation Unit. Existing law establishes the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and establishes various programs for the prevention and reduction of wildfires…

What is the status of SB1079?

Chaptered as of September 29, 2026. Latest action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 774, Statutes of 2026. (September 29, 2026).

Who sponsored SB1079?

Henry Stern (D, SD27), with 6 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB1079?

On the California Legislature website: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1079